Coopers Brewery has reported a modest increase in annual beer sales, beating the wider market that has experienced a decline.
The independent family-owned brewery recorded total beer sales of 80.6 million litres in 2024-25, representing a 2.4 per cent increase over the previous year.
The growth bucked the 0.9 per cent contraction of the national beer market over the corresponding period.
Keg sales, which represent around 12.4 per cent of total sales of Coopers beer, were 5.9 per cent higher, while packaged beer sales rose 1.8 per cent.
Sales of malted barley and wheat rose 3.4 per cent. DIY brewing product volumes were down 17 per cent, reflecting lower consumer demand and tighter supermarket shelf space.
Coopers MD Michael Shearer said the results reflected a solid performance across the company’s beer range.
“Demand was particularly strong for Dry 3.5 and Australian Lager, both relative newcomers to our portfolio. Our traditional ale products also continued to grow, at 1.2 per cent, and Stout had a resurgence with a 3.3 per cent increase over the prior year,” he said.
According to Shearer, drinkers had become more discerning when purchasing due to cost-of-living pressures.
“To achieve another year of solid sales growth in a tough market is a real vote of confidence in our craft and our team,” he added.
During the year, the company recorded growth across all states and territories, with SA being the largest market in terms of sales volume, while Queensland recorded the strongest growth (4.8 per cent).
Beer exports (excluding New Zealand), which represent around 1 per cent of total sales, were down 22.3 per cent. Sales to New Zealand increased 2.6 per cent.
On the bottom line, profit-before-tax was down from $32.8 million in the previous year to $22.5 million, reflecting investment in the new $70 million visitor centre and associated costs.
The company said the centre, which also houses a restaurant, microbrewery and whisky distillery, is a generational investment as part of its long-term strategy. Since the facility was opened last August, approximately 60,000 patrons have visited.
