The Australian beer, hospitality and events industries face an unprecedented threat from COVID-19. In the face of this global pandemic, how can we keep them alive?
The potential fallout is becoming clearer every day: put simply, in a world where casual employment is high and cash flow is tight, many businesses at the heart of their local communities may not survive.
The #keepinglocalalive campaign has been launched to help people support their local businesses as they innovate and adapt to their rapidly-changing reality. You can read the background to the campaign in this article and stories on how people are adapting in our new Postcards From The Edge series.
Let us know how we can promote your business through these challenging times by emailing us.
As well as encouraging people to get behind their local breweries, bars, pubs, restaurants and bottleshops, we're building a growing online resource showcasing what businesses are doing to stay alive through these challenging times. It also features relevant guidelines for businesses and an “Ideas Pool” containing resources for businesses seeking inspiration as they look to adapt.
As well as checking the state and territory pages to see how you can support the local beer community, other ways people can get involved include:
- ● While your local brewery or venue is closed, have they set up a cellar door, drive thru or Click & Collect option?
- ● Are they offering home delivery? Many pubs have rallied to launch home delivery of food and drinks.
- ● If you've bought a ticket for a cancelled event, consider viewing it as a donation rather than seeking a refund.
- ● Consider buying vouchers or making a booking now to use later.
- ● When venues are allowed to open again, if you're healthy and it's safe to do so, consider calling in for a drink or meal and buy some takeaways too.
Businesses and supporters can download campaign materials here.
Check out how businesses are adapting near you here:
GET SOCIAL
Want to show your support for local beer businesses? We've created a series of assets free for anyone to use online or put up in their venues.
Rally behind your local brewery, bar or bottleshop by raising a glass and #keepinglocalalive.
Head here to download the assets.
NB If you wish to incorporate the campaign message or assets in your own campaign or event, please get in touch so we can ensure consistency of message. Cheers!
The future of local beer – it's in your hands.
POSITIVE DISTRACTIONS
Looking for ways to keep yourself from watching the news headlines roll in and keep yourself sane? There's plenty of people out there in the beer world scrambling to provide entertainment for you.
Beer Together
In cahoots with Ale of a Time and a growing band of others, we've launched a YouTube channel and are looking to run daily shows covering all manner of beer-related (and less so) topics. Check out the homepage here.
The Antidote
Radio Brews News have launched a news series of daily podcasts where they check in with people from around the beer world to see how they're coping and adapting in these crazy times.
Funky Bunch Trivia
Fifteen years after starting with a single trivia night in Melbourne, Funky Bunch saw their 60-plus weekly pub shows disappear overnight. So they've moved online and you can join them every Wednesday at 7.30pm AEST. Read about it here.
IBA Chats
The Independent Brewers Association are creating more online content on the back of the Virtual Indie Beer Showcase. Keep an eye on their socials for details of hosted brewer chats and more.
Take Care
These are difficult times for employees and business owners across the industry. Look after each other.
For more information or support surrounding mental health issues, you can contact:
* Beyond Blue on 1300 22 46 36
* Lifeline on 13 11 14
Thanks to Matthew Beggs for his help compiling this list and his tireless support of the local beer industry too.
