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Jan 2025
25m 34s

How big beer is taking over the taps at ...

LiSTNR
About this episode

Headlines:

  • First hostages freed in Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal
  • Peter Dutton promises tax-free lunches for small businesses
  • TikTok back online for American users after Trump promises to save it
  • Djokovic skips post-match AO interview awaiting apology from Nine

Deep Dive: Who decides what beer is served on tap at your local bar, pub or club?  

It might not be obvious from all the brands and styles of beer on offer, but something like 80% of the beer we drink in Australia is owned by two Japanese megacompanies Lion and Asahi - both of which have spent millions of dollars buying up craft breweries in Australia. 

And if you're a pub owner in need of renovations, or a new tap system, or you’re opening up a new venue, there's a good chance you'll be hearing from one of these companies, calling to make an offer that’s hard to refuse.

Mazen Hajjar is CEO of Hawkers Beer, one of the largest independent producers in Victoria. He argues there’s a market duopoly at play, and it’s strangling what might otherwise be a thriving craft beer industry in Australia. He joins Bension Siebert on this episode of The Briefing to explain why. 

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