Pubs want transparency in tap contracts, says brewer

Publicans are tired of the major brewers over-complicating their tap contracts with rebates and other confusing mechanisms, according to the founder of a new Sydney-based beer brand.

Anton Szpitalak, director of contract brewing outfit Brewpack, last year said the company had no intention of launching its own beers.

But he has since revised this stance, telling TheShout the new Macarthur Grange Brewery brand was developed in response to overwhelming demand from publicans for a draught beer brand they could call their own.

"What they were really sensitive on was that they just wanted really simple terms," he said.

"They hated the fact that the majors kept playing tricks on them with rebates, because no one really knows how much they're paying for beer," said Szpitalak.

"All that kind of noise is just a distraction during negotiations."

Macarthur Grange Brewery's first beer is Stockade Premium Draught, "a highly sessionable, European-styled lager with a signature Australian finish".

Szpitalak said Stockade is already on tap at Sydney venues including Eden Bar in Martin Place, Twin Willows Hotel in Bass Hill, Watsons Bay Hotel, and the Hotel Steyne in Manly, with many more pubs set to follow.

Once it has established a Sydney footprint, Szpitalak said the company will expand into other markets as well as offering its beers in packaged form.

"We'd like to fancy ourselves as somebody who could be a really serious brewer here in Australia someday," he said.

Source: The Shout, 12 August 2013