The James Boag Launceston brewery will reportedly stop producing beer for the mainland under proposed changes from the company.
Lion Australia, the owner of the brewery, said the shift is necessary to “ensure the long-term sustainability” of its business amidst falling beer sales.
Managing Director James Brindley said the company spends more than $1.5 million a year transporting beer back to the mainland, a cost that has impacted the business.
“Given this, we have made the difficult decision to move production of some beer destined for the mainland to our breweries there and are proposing to transition to a one-shift operation,” he said.
“This proposed decision will sadly see approximately 15 roles impacted, with a number of our team expected to leave Boag’s should we transition to a one-shift operation.”
Production of beers for the Tasmanian market will continue exclusively at the Boag’s Brewery in Launceston.
Labor leader Dean Winter said the “terrible” news marked a “very sad day for an iconic Tasmanian business” and pointed the blame straight at the state government.
“Tasmania has already lost 5,000 jobs in the past year, businesses have been going bust at an alarming rate and record numbers of young people are leaving for the mainland,” he said.
“… Our thoughts today are with the affected workers.”
Local MP Michelle O’Byrne called Boag’s “Tasmania’s beer of choice”.
“People drinking Boag’s expect the product to be Tasmanian made and produced. Based on this decision, if you are drinking Boag’s on the mainland, you will soon be drinking mainland-made beer,” she said.
“It is important that Boag’s remains truly Tasmanian and the Government needs to provide assurances that the long-term future of the brewery is secure.”