E-Malt.com News article: Australia: Union pushes to save Boag's Brewery in Launceston from closing down

There is a new push to save Boag's Brewery in Launceston from closing down, ABC News reported on June 22.

The union that represents workers at the brewery has started a community petition and written to Premier Jeremy Rockliff, urging him to intervene and stop the brewery's slated closure.

The petition states that if parent company Lion Australia "no longer wants to brew Boag's in Tasmania, it must sell the brewery and brand to someone who does".

"Boag's stays Tasmanian."

Lion announced in early June its plan to stop production in Tasmania by November.

Boag's first opened in Launceston in 1881 and is one of Australia's longest continuously operating brewing locations.

The United Workers Union's Ben Dudman said the brewery currently employed about 40 people and should be sold to a new owner, rather than closed down.

"Boag's has a 145-year history in this state and in Launceston, where it's been brewed," Mr Dudman said.

"It's important for local jobs, not just at the brewery where workers are most impacted, but more broadly as well.

"This impacts local tourism, local hospitality and our broader northern economy.

"There's close to 40 workers that will be impacted at Boag's in Launceston should this decision go ahead, it is a larger employer in Launceston and the impacts flow further than just the brewery technicians."

Lion Australia said the decision came amid a decline in the national beer market and high costs.

"Long-term decline in the national beer market has caused the brewery to run significantly under capacity for many years.

"It is currently operating at about a fifth of its capacity," the company said in a statement in June.

"This, combined with significant cost inflation, means the brewery is no longer viable."

The union has launched an online petition.

"Boag's belongs to Tasmania. It's part of our history. It's a symbol of Northern Tasmania, an important tourist attraction and a significant boost to our local economy," Amy Brumby from the United Workers Union said.

"Nobody is going to drink a Boag's made in Queensland — it will kill the brand."

"We need to save our history, protect Tasmanian jobs, and invest in our future. We saw Lion shut down West End brewing in Adelaide — we can't let that happen to us."

Joining union members at the Boag's site, Labor member for Bass Janie Finlay said Lion Australia's concerns over operating costs, including power and water, should have been managed through Tasmania's government businesses.

"Workers shouldn't be paying the price for a government that has failed to get the basics right," Ms Finlay said.

"Tasmania can't afford to keep losing jobs, investment and confidence while the government watches from the sidelines."

She said the issue went beyond politics and the premier was failing to step in and protect workers, their families and future jobs.

"They have their hands off all the things that matter, we are seeing really important manufacturing opportunities in the north falling away and this is just another example," she said.

When asked about a possible sale to another brewer, a Lion spokesperson said the company had explored "every possible way" to make the brewery a viable operation, in the context of rising costs and a long-term decline the national beer market.

"We continue to engage openly and constructively in relation to the future of the site," the spokesperson said.

"We remain committed to supporting the brand and the community of Tasmania into the future, including through the continuing operation of the Boag's Brewhouse, which will remain open as the home of Boag's in Launceston."

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff said Lion had made their position clear and the government was looking ahead to what's next for the historic Boag's precinct.

"I understand what the union are saying in many respects," Mr Rockliff said.

"What we need to do is ensure that with our $1 million that they have repaid back effectively from what we provided a few years ago, is that we put that towards development opportunities."

In 2023, Boags Brewery received $1 million in funding from the Tasmanian government to keep its visitor centre open, which the brewer said it would repay when it announced its closure at the beginning of this month.

"In terms of Lion and their plans for the brewery and the Boag's brand itself, that is in the hands of Lion themselves," M Rockliff said.

"We would welcome any discussions to ensure … the building in itself and the brewery remains in Tasmanian hands."


23 June, 2026