The WA Craft Beer Strategy aims to provide a pathway for the industry and government to work collaboratively over the coming decade, with a vision of encouraging more opportunities for people to enjoy and experience the unique range of beers crafted in WA breweries.
The industry-led Strategy brings together all parts of the craft beer supply chain to drive a unified and sustainable industry.
The craft beer industry forms part of WA's vibrant food and beverage sector that builds on premium ingredients which are grown in the State’s agricultural sector.
WA is considered to be the birthplace of Australia’s craft beer sector, with the establishment of a handful of now iconic breweries in Perth in the 1980s and ‘90s.
There are more than 120 breweries across the metropolitan area and in all the State’s regions, representing 20 per cent of the national industry.
These breweries are supported by a range of locally-based businesses that provide the ingredients and other inputs that make the industry truly Western Australian. These include those that produce barley, hops, and malt and the businesses that provide packaging, distribution, and retail services.
About the Strategy
The industry-led strategy was facilitated by DPIRD, in collaboration with the Independent Brewers Association, Western Australian Brewers Association, and the South West Brewers Alliance. It was prepared by consulting firm Acil Allen.
The industry-led Strategy has two key aims:
- grow the volume and value of locally produced beer (aiming to triple the volume and/or value of craft beer production from a 2023 baseline).
- greater vertical integration of the craft beer value chain.
Five enabling strategic priorities provide the pathway for the Western Australian craft beer industry to achieve its vision and goals. These are:
- Industry Foundations – To present a single voice for industry and provide the leadership that will bring the Strategy to life and achieve its vision of more people from more places experiencing and enjoying WA craft beer.
- Brand Awareness – This priority will focus on building the brand awareness of WA craft beer to markets locally, nationally and globally by implementing a craft beer marketing plan and campaign, and by linking craft beer into the WA tourism brand.
- Market Access – To explore and capture more markets for WA craft beer locally and in other parts of Australia and the globe.
- Supply chain management – To ensure the prosperity of the industry by building on best practice to enhance its sustainability credentials and increase the role that the local supply chain contributes.
- Regulation and planning – To work collaboratively with government to enable growth, development and sustainability, and identify regulatory barriers.
More information
For more information, read the WA Craft Beer Strategy 2024-2034 summary available on this page. For more information on the findings of the comprehensive strategy document please email foodindustryinnovation@dpird.wa.gov.au .