REX - Regional Express

forefront "Small and big brewers are taxed at the same rate, despite the economies of scale that give multinational corporations an advantage." Lion's extensive distribution systems, which means more people can experience our handcrafted, innovative brews," says Hahn. According to David Hollyoak, these large beer producers have an advantage over microbrewers like him, particularly a financial one. Small and big brewers are taxed at the same rate, despite the economies of scale that give multinational corporations an advantage over small, familyowned businesses. While this may seem like fair free-market competition, looking to other beverage markets in Australia reveals unfair treatment of craft beer brewers. "Back in 2004 the Australian Government implemented the wine equalisation tax producer rebate, basically to allow the small producers to get a rebate to enable them to compete with the big wineries," Hollyoak recalls. He says that while the government has made some progress with excise rebates and other support for breweries, he feels that there's more to be done for small brewers to allow them to compete effectively against large commercial brewers. In his capacity as chairman of the ARCBA, Hollyoak is working to progress such schemes for small craft breweries. The ARCBA also aims to increase excise rebates for small brewers, as well as implement a strategy for honesty in labelling (to compel brewers to reveal more details about the source of the product to the consumer) and a competition policy (to allow small brewers Fast Fact to compete against the corporations). Popular 'real craft' "I think beer should be judged on Australian beers include its merits," says Ian Kingham from 4 Pines (NSW), Stone & Dan Murphy's. "What I mean by Wood (NSW), Mountain that is making sure there is quality Goat Beer (Vic), Eagle Bay in what's being produced and what's (WA), Moo Brew (Tas) being presented in the marketplace. and McLaren Vale There's a lot of influencing and marketing Beer (SA). but, ultimately, the more people who are producing beers, testing the boundaries and finding ways to package good-quality product, the better it is for the industry." "The funny thing is people can tell [the difference between real craft and other beers] just by the taste," says Hollyoak. "In the major brewing competitions around the world, the majority of the trophies are won by real craft brewers, yet they're commercial brewers who are on the tasting panels. So even the commercial brewers believe real craft beer tastes better." Hollyoak hopes that discerning consumers will notice the difference in the quality of beers, and that with support from the government, craft beers like his will continue to experience growth in the market. With the increasing range of beers on the Australian market, consumers will be the winners in terms of choice and quality. 56

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