Lager led boost for Coopers defies national downturn

A new lager beer release has fuelled strong sales growth for Australia's largest independently owned brewer Coopers Brewery.

The launch of Coopers Australian Lager has helped family-owned Coopers to post a 1.5 percent rise in total beer sales for the 2024 financial year, defying a year on year 2,.6 percent decline in total Australian beer sales.

Coopers’ beer sales, excluding non-alcoholic beers, hit 78.7 million litres, up from 77.6 million litres the previous year.

Profit-before-tax for the 2024 financial year was $32.8 million, compared with $28.5 million the previous year.

Coopers Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper said: “This is a pleasing result for Coopers in light of the tough market conditions facing the brewing industry across Australia.

“To achieve growth at a time of rising costs of living is very encouraging for our sales and marketing teams.

“We like to talk to our brewing credentials and value-for-money across our portfolio, with consumer research continuing to highlight growing support for authentic brands that can be trusted, are high-quality and affordable.”

Keg sales, which represent 12percent of total sales of Coopers beer, were on percent higher with packaged beer sales up 1.6 percent. Can sales have increased to represent 43 percent of total packaged beer sales.

While the successful large-scale release of Coopers Australian Lager was a significant contributing factor to the result, Coopers Original Pale Ale retained its position as the brewery’s biggest selling beer.

“Since it was launched in August last year, Coopers Australian Lager has performed exceptionally well.

“It has quickly become our second highest selling Coopers product on tap and our fifth highest selling overall.”

Coopers achieved overall growth in sales volume across all states and territories, with the exception of New South Wales, while growth extended to export markets, with New Zealand growing by 11 percent.

The company's home state of South Australia remained the largest beer market for Coopers, with 25.6 percent of total sales volume.

Dr Cooper said: “The national beer industry continues to face significant challenges.

“The rising cost-of-living and cost-of-business, including the excessive tax on beer, are placing considerable pressure on all participants in the beer category, and have led to the closure of smaller operators and hospitality venues across the country.

“While not immune to these pressures, Coopers has continued to expand our product portfolio and invest in our brands, operations and people for the long term.”

This has included the Brewery’s $70 million visitor centre development at Regency Park, Adelaide which includes a restaurant, three bars, interactive historical display, microbrewery, single malt whisky distillery and cask stillage. Opened to the public in August this year, it has enjoyed strong custom in its first few months of operation.

Sales of Coopers DIY and other brewing products rose eight percent in the 12 months to June 30 led by strong exports into Europe and North America.

Meanwhile a tightening of demand across Asia’s food and beverage industry led to a nine percent fall in malted barley sales.

Picture: Coopers Brewery