Craft breweries in Sydney’s inner west will be able to trade as small bars from this weekend.
Liquor & Gaming NSW has introduced a range of new measures to improve and streamline the way the NSW liquor industry is regulated, beginning from September 1, following detailed community and industry consultation.
The changes will include a 12-month trial for craft brewers to trade as bars, plus advanced training in responsible service of alcohol for licensees and managers of venues.
Liquor & Gaming NSW Deputy Secretary Paul Newson said the new Liquor Regulation 2018 supports responsible industry development while continuing to focus on preventing and reducing alcohol-related harms.
“The changes will cut red tape for industry for minor administrative matters and simplify processes for setting up new businesses,” Newson said.
“Liquor & Gaming NSW is taking a modern and innovative approach to regulation of the NSW liquor industry to promote safe, vibrant and diverse entertainment options.”
The changes to liquor laws will remove the red tape that limits some microbrewers to serving tiny tastings platters.
The only condition will be that brewers must have no more than 100 patrons and make food available.
“Microbreweries are currently only allowed to offer tastings, unless they obtain a special ‘drink on premises’ authorisation, as well as council approval. This trial will cut red tape and allow beer lovers to enjoy more of their favourite drop,” Minister for Racing Paul Toole said earlier this year.
“The rising popularity of boutique and craft beers, ciders, spirits and liqueurs is creating new demand for enjoying drinks produced on the premises.
“A lot of people like the concept of being able to sample high-quality locally made drinks and speak directly with the passionate experts who produce them.
“Microbreweries don’t neatly fit into traditional liquor licence categories, so there’s a need to develop a new model suited to them,” Toole said.
Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has big plans for the region, and has been arguing legislation needs to keep up.
“Over the last few years, craft brewing has exploded in the Inner West, with more than a dozen micro breweries currently in operation and many more in the planning stage,” Byrne said last year.
“I want the Inner West to be for craft beer what the Hunter Valley is for Australian wine.
“Until now, this growth has been entirely organic, driven purely by Inner West locals’ love of craft beer, but there is a real danger that outdated regulations could kill the industry off.
“Red tape is inhibiting further growth in the craft brewing industry, with new brewers struggling to get applications processed and licensing restrictions causing headaches for owners once a brewery is open.”
