Research published today by market research organisation, IBISWorld, predicts that Australians will spend A$25.4 Billion on alcoholic beverages in 2011-12. According to the research, Australians are increasingly choosing premium alcoholic drinks over traditional beers. The report predicts that alcohol spending in Australia will increase by 15.3% over the next five years, reaching A$29.3 Billion in 2016/17. IBISWorld General Manager (Australia) Karen Dobie said that while Australia’s alcohol consumption... ...Read more »

Hall & Woodhouse, the brewer of the famous Badger range of premium bottled ales, is coming to Australia next week to carve out a bigger share of the premium beer market.In figures released by Foster’s Group last month, VB and Carlton Draught remained Australia’s favourite beers but the premium beer market continued to grow quickly and increase its market share. This continued rise is partly fuelled by NSW’s new licensing laws which have caused a steady rise in the number of... ...Read more »

An executive at brewer Foster’s has conceded that the decision to introduce the ‘Boonie Doll’ promotion may have been an error despite it resonating with many of their VB customers. The promotion involved a David Boon figurine, which would send messages – such as ‘when are we going to the pub?’ – based on prompting from the Channel Nine commentary team. Boon, an accomplished cricketer who is well known for reportedly drinking 52 cans of beer during a flight... ...Read more »

Foster’s is set to cut the alcohol content of Australia’s highest selling beer in a bid to avoid a price hike next month. The brewer, which is embarking on a marketing push in the coming months to strengthen VB’s grip on top spot in the market, is reportedly going to reduce the alcohol content from 4.8 per cent to 4.6 per cent at the start of August. “This is all about making VB better value so that when every other beer goes up in price this August, VB won’t be,”... ...Read more »

Foster’s, Australia’s largest brewer, is looking to enhance marketing spend on the country’s most consumed beer in a bid to counter the impact of premium beers. Fairfax newspapers today reported that a major advertising campaign will be launched in June but the Marketing Manager for Victoria Bitter, Paul Donaldson, said that there would be no “fundamental change” to the brand. “There’s a whole lot of stuff happening before June. It’s not a relaunch... ...Read more »