When times get tough economically, how’s a guy going to manage to sustain his beer supplies?

Make it at home.



Australia’s largest ‘boutique’ brewery Coopers, I learned this week, has reported a noticeable rise in sales of home brewing kits since July this year when the global economy commenced its turning turtle act. Sales are up 8% by volume, driven mainly by a 26% rise in the international range, at the premium end of its home brew line-up.

Now 8% may not seem a lot at first glance, but bear this in mind: Coopers is the world’s largest producer of home brew kits with 19 different beer styles, including lager, draught, stout, real ale, bitter, dark ale and ginger beer.

Coopers’ marketing manager brewing products, Scott Harris, says discerning beer drinkers seem to want to continue to enjoy premium style beers, but are looking for a more cost-effective way of accessing these styles.

“At the moment, the International series includes European Lager, Australian Pale Ale, Canadian Blonde and the popular Mexican Cerveza, and we have plans to further expand this range in the future.”

Harris said sales of home brew traditionally rose during periods of tight economic conditions and Coopers had also noted a steady rise in sales of entry level home brew styles.

Now try as I might, I simply cannot comprehend how one could possibly create a brew as tasty as a Stella Artois or an Asahi Super Dry in the bathtub. OK, apparently one can use special tanks in the back of the garage these days, which could just necessitate the banishment of the lawnmower outside to make room. I guess that would be followed by the expense of a new fridge in which to keep the new brew in... Or a polite request to Mrs Renzo to move some of the food out of the kitchen fridge to free space for more beer...

But Scott says I’m wrong (about the ease and result, that is). It’s all very easy and the results are of a high quality: “Once (beginners) understand how quick and simple the process is, most soon move to making better quality beers, particularly when they realise that they can make premium quality beers for only 35 cents per stubbie.”

Hmmm, with that kind of cost saving your average Aussie beer drinker would be able to employ a lawn mowing contractor every fortnight - AND still save money to please the other half...