One of Tasmania's most recognisable names is coming to the end of an era. Boag's, the iconic brewery, will stop producing beer in the state, with workers describing themselves as shell-shocked and devastated by the decision. The factory has brewed in Launceston since 1881, and its closure will draw a line under a long chapter of the city's industrial life.
The brewery is set to shut its doors for the final time in November, ending a 145-year history of brewing in Launceston. For the staff, the news has been a tough pill to swallow, with one worker describing a roller coaster of emotions, moving from upset and disappointment through to anger and frustration at the way it has unfolded.
In total, 42 Boag's workers are set to lose their jobs when the factory closes. Among them is Adrian Hines, who is 53 and has worked at the brewery for nearly half his life. He said the team used to joke that it was the best job they would ever have, and that he believes that was genuinely true for all of them.
The decision sent a shock through the wider brewing industry. One person connected to the brewery said they had received a lot of calls from brewers right across Australia, a reaction that took them by surprise. In the state's north, the loss was felt keenly, with locals describing 145 years of heritage being swept away as both sad and disappointing.
The economic stakes for Launceston are considerable. The city council said the closure, combined with the looming end of Hawthorn's home games in the city, would cost the local economy between 50 and 55 million dollars a year. Business leaders are due to meet to discuss that impact and to consider what should become of the brewery site.
Ideas for the site are already being floated. Those involved said the conversations had ranged widely, with suggestions that it could become a good location for a conference centre or a hotel, among many other proposals that people had put forward as the city looks at how to fill the gap left behind.
There may at least be some openings for others in the industry. Smaller Tasmanian breweries are taking a glass half full approach to Boag's exit, saying that while they cannot compete on volume or pricing, they can compete on quality. The Premier, meanwhile, said a one million dollar grant given to Boag's in 2023 would be reinvested in northern Tasmania.