Inner West Council has dedicated $200,000 to creating an Inner West Tourism Action Plan designed to promote the 14 microbreweries and 12 distilleries in the Inner West.
The Inner West is known as the craft brewery capital of Australia and has seen growth in the number of operators over the last five years. The local brewers and distillers have become an important and unique feature of what makes the Inner West the most vibrant, surprising and exciting location in Sydney.
This initiative is one of several designed to promote the sector resulting from the Inner West Brewers and Distillers Forum, held at the Young Henry's Brewery and facilitated by Council in April this year.
As well as the Tourism Action Plan, Council has also committed to:
- Supporting events and festivals organised by the sector
- Marketing assistance to our brewers and distillers, including promoting the Inner West Ale Trail
- Designate individual breweries as Special Entertainment Precincts to allow them to support live music and gain extended opening hours
- Helping to foster a safe and inviting environment
- Advocate to other levels of government on key issues that affect the sector
Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said, "The Inner West is to brewing and distilling what the Hunter Valley and the Barossa are to Australian wine.
"The initiatives we're undertaking on behalf of these local businesses will only increase an ever growing part of our local economy and encourage visitors to come and experience the unique vitality and vibrancy of the Inner West."
Richard Adamson, Head Brewer and Founder of Young Henry's said, "The Inner West Brewing Association thanks Darcy and Inner West Council for convening the forum which allowed for a productive and robust conversation about the challenges facing the brewing industry and how the council can support local brewers during this difficult time.
"We look forward to working together to achieve some positive and tangible outcomes that improve visitation and the customer experience so we can highlight the brilliant culture of the Inner West."
