The Australian beer and brewing industry has been hit from all angles by COVID-19. But throughout it all, one of the positives that have kept people going is the industry’s willingness to band together to support one another. We’ve seen it in countless ways over the past few months and this Saturday (July 25) there is a way you can lend your support – from both inside and outside a venue.
Saturday is Indie Beer Day – a time to celebrate the independent brewers of Australia and their beers, of course. It culminates in a nationwide synchronised toast at 7PM AEST in a display of cheers to resilience, survival, and restrictions beginning to ease in some states and territories, and likewise continue in others.
This will be the second Indie Beer Day to hit our calendars, after the success of last year’s event, and it is especially important given the struggles that Australian breweries are facing after bushfires and the pandemic.
Independent Brewers Association (IBA) general manager Kylie Lethbridge said: “With restrictions eased in most states, we need Indie Beer Day now more than ever. We need the people who love and support indie producers to give our industry a much-needed boost in every way.
“Many indie breweries are located in regional areas, so the loss of regional tourism and pub closures has hit them hard.”
Getting involved and supporting Indie Beer Day is easy. Your venue can host a virtual or physical event (like many breweries, pubs and bars have already signed on for) or it could create promotions and encouragement for patrons to try indie beer. For the general public, while in a venue, or when buying takeaway, it’s as simple as choosing an indie brand.
“Whether you’re buying takeaway beers, ordering your indie mixed pack online, having a small gathering with mates or heading to your favourite local for drinks, make sure you ask for indie beer and raise a drink with us at 7PM on the 25th,” said Lethbridge.
The beer industry will be celebrating in style in a number of ways this Saturday. Among a host of special events nationwide, Modus Operandi, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, is celebrating its sixth birthday with new beers alongside great food and music. In Canberra, alongside their Winter Feast at the Cannery festival this weekend, Bentspoke are shouting punters a Crankshaft or a Barley Griffin if they tag #indiebeerday and #bentspokebeer via @bentspokebeer on Instagram. Stone & Wood are celebrating the event in both their Byron Bay and Brisbane venues, which includes a Fixation Brewing tinnie bar and Forest for the Trees sampling, followed by the orchestrated cheers to indie beer at 7PM. In Queensland, Straddie Brewing Company is launching their Point Lookout Lager while Bribie Island Brewing Company is opening for the first time after lockdown. Little Bang Brewing Company in South Australia is showcasing 21 indie beers on tap from around the country. And even lockdown won’t stop people celebrating in Melbourne. Killer Sprocket has takeaway specials while Stomping Ground have released a special six-pack to commemorate the day alongside fellow indie brewers like Boatrocker and Wolf of the Willows. Meanwhile, Blackman’s Brewery in Torquay will shout you a beer if you come down on Saturday and say g’day.
Wherever you are, there’s never been a better time to support local and say cheers to indie beer.
Register your venue, or find a participating venue here. You can also follow along on social media with the tag #askforindiebeer or #indiebeerday.
The original version of this story was written by Brydie Allen and appeared at barsclubs.com.au. Subscribe to their newsletter here.
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