Boag’s Brewery will stop brewing beer in Launceston from November after 145 years, ending the production of one of Tasmania’s most iconic brands in the state.
The decision by owner Lion has triggered an outpouring of grief and anger, with all 42 full-time brewery workers set to lose their jobs.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief executive Steve Old said his heart went out to the workers he saw outside the brewery this morning.
“Just walking in today, seeing them out the front, walking around a bit aimlessly, looking lost – that’s probably where my heart goes out to to start with,” Old said.
“It’s pretty devastating when an iconic brand like this leaves Tassie shores.”
Old said his focus was on helping the 42 staff find new work and making sure beer prices for his members did not rise.
Launceston mayor Matthew Garwood called it “a black day” for the city.
“For 145 years, Boag’s has been part of the fabric of our city. It’s been more than a brewery,” Garwood said.
“You’d be hard pressed to find a brand more closely linked to Launceston than Boag’s.”
“It’s hard to imagine the Launceston skyline and story without Boag’s being part of it.”
Independent MP David O’Byrne, who spent 15 years working for the brewery workers’ union, called the decision “an absolute disgrace”.
“I am a born and bred Launnie boy, Boags was our beer, we were very proud of it,” he said.
O’Byrne said the familiar smell of the brewhouse at the bottom of George Street brought back fond memories of his time in Launceston.
“My heart goes out to the many families that will be devastated by the impact of this corporate decision,” he said.
Labor MP and former mayor Janie Finlay called the closure “a gut punch for Launceston”.
“Tasmania cannot afford to lose more local production, more skilled jobs or more iconic brands from regional communities because the cost of doing business is too high and the government has failed to act,” she said.
Bass Labor MP Jess Greene said the warning signs were there in 2024, when Lion shifted mainland production out of Launceston and 15 local jobs were lost.
“Less than two years later, Boag’s is on the chopping block,” she said.
The state government gave Lion $1 million in 2023 to upgrade the brewery’s brewhouse and keep its visitor centre open. Lion will repay the grant in full.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was “extremely disappointed” with Lion and that the wellbeing of workers was the government’s immediate priority.
Rockliff said the state government had been “a strong supporter of the business over a number of years”.
“We will engage closely with Lion, the union, workers and the hospitality industry to support those impacted,” the premier said.
Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson said the decision did not “pass the pub test”.
“Local communities have every right to be outraged that a big corporation has bought up iconic Tassie businesses, profited off Tassie’s clean and green brand, then gutted our local workforce,” Whish-Wilson said.
Federal Labor MP Jess Teesdale thanked Lion for committing to consult workers and find redeployment opportunities.
“The Albanese government stands by workers and expects Lion to honour all entitlements for all affected workers,” she said.
“Retrenched workers will have access to supports offered through the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to assist in finding new employment as quickly as possible.”
Lion chief executive Anubha Sahasrabuddhe said the closure was no reflection on the brewery team and blamed a long decline in beer drinking.
She said production would move to Lion’s breweries in Queensland and New South Wales.
