Queenscliff Brewing plunges into administration

A popular pub has fallen into administration after less than a decade.

Administrators were appointed at the Queenscliff Brewhouse, in Queenscliff, southeast of Geelong, on September 23.

The venue offers a wide variety of craft beer, gin and whisky, but also offers a ‘microbrewery’, distillery, cellar and family bistro.

Scott Andersen and Nathan Deppeler of insolvency firm Worrells have been appointed administrators with creditors meeting for a second time on Tuesday.

The brewery is still functioning normally and there are no signals that the company is struggling.

The Queenscliff Brewhouse has regularly posted to its social media accounts about its food and drink menu in the weeks since it entered voluntary administration.

The company first welcomed customers in July 2016.

It has a 4.2 star rating on Google out of more than 800 reviews, many of which compliment the food, beer and location across the street from the beach.

A spokesperson for Queenscliff Brewhouse told Daily Mail Australia: “We are trading as normal during this period and expect the business to continue to do so.

“We have no further comment.”

Worrells has been contacted for further comment.

It comes as Young Henrys founder Richard Adamson accused Anthony Albanese of abandoning the craft brewing industry, which contributes $1.93 billion annually to the national economy and employs around 10,000 people.

“When he was in opposition he supported and helped get the duty remission scheme (for excise alcohol) passed (in 2021),” Mr Adamson, who is also chairman of the Inner West Breweries Association, previously told Daily Mail Australia .

“But I think he has bigger fish to fry at this point (than helping us).”

Independent Brewers Association CEO Kylie Lethbridge said Albanese refused to listen to the industry’s serious concerns, especially around the need for relief from the exorbitant beer tax, which accounts for about a third of beer sales (the third highest in the world, after Norway and Finland).

Asked whether it is time to call on the Prime Minister to intervene personally to help ease pressure on the embattled industry, she said: “We have – several times, up until last Friday.

“He continues to ignore our plea without even the courtesy of a response.”

The venue offers a wide variety of craft beer, gin and whisky, but also offers a ‘microbrewery’, distillery, cellar and family bistro

It goes against a promise the MP made to Grayndler when he was in opposition in June 2017 to support his local craft breweries, including Hawke’s Brewing, co-founded by his late mentor and ex-Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

“One of the concerns of brewers is the fact that Commonwealth excise duties are higher on small barrels than on larger barrels, which puts brewers at a competitive disadvantage compared to large brewers,” Mr Albanese said at the time.

“I am disappointed that this anomaly was not addressed in Budget 2017, but I will continue to support the industry in its pursuit of sensible reforms, as well as regulatory changes at state and local government level.”

Ms Lethbridge warned that within 12 months the industry may no longer survive without urgent government support as production costs rise by as much as 40 per cent, pushing 20 microbreweries into bankruptcy nationally in the past year.

“Unless consumers get some cost-of-living relief, our summer, when warmer weather usually generates higher sales, will not stop others from closing their doors, leading to further job losses.

“And the ultimate pint in the pub will still be out of reach for many Australians.”

The average price of a pint of beer in Sydney is now $15, making a night at the pub with friends more than many.

Mr Adamson said it was now “a matter of hanging in there until the economy really improves”.

Anthony Albanese has the highest concentration of craft breweries of any federal electorate – but he’s turned his back on the once-thriving industry in favor of the last drinks

He said there is no level playing field between independent brewers and the two ‘big boys’ – Lion and CUB – who together own 85 per cent of the market and the majority of beer taps in Australian pubs.

‘We have submitted comments about this to questions from the government. “The creeping red tape keeps coming in, whether it’s labeling or other compliance measures,” he said.

“The barriers we face to running a small family business are only getting worse.”

Both Lion, which produces XXXX, Tooheys, Stone & Wood, and CUB, makers of the popular beers Great Northern, Carlton Draft and VB, are owned by Japanese companies.

“Many beer drinkers would think that these iconic brands are still Australian owned and that their hard-earned money would remain in Australia,” Adamson said.