The Kelly’s On King pub, which is regarded as the ultimate Irish Australian establishment, opposes the promotion of multinational and corporate beer and instead advocates for Australian-made products.
The establishment’s owners made their stance known on Instagram, asking where the Balter, 4 Pines, Stone & Wood, or Pirate Life were located.
They were all acquired by Asahi Breweries, a Japanese beverage company.
In 2024, the pub decided not to renew its corporate agreement with various breweries, citing the recent acquisition of Lion Nathan and Carlton United by Japanese companies.
They said they were worried about the future of Australian brewing.
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The establishment noted that due to the dominance of Asahi Breweries, which currently controls over 80 percent of the local brewing market, their profit margins have reportedly gone up to 40%.
They also stated that the company’s kegs can cost up to 20% more than those of independent breweries, which means that small businesses can no longer compete with them.
Despite opposing the presence of multinational breweries, the pub still supports some of the country’s best local breweries, such as Carlton Draught, Kilkenny, and VB.
According to Brodie Parish, the licensee of Kelly’s On King, the establishment will no longer be promoting corporate “crafts” anymore. He said that Asahi Breweries has its own labels, and these are often passed off as independent labels. He believes that one of the main factors that has caused the dominance of multinational breweries in Australia is the duopoly of these companies, which has been acquiring local breweries.
According to Parish, the duopoly has a negative impact on the independent industry. Aside from being a pub that showcases Australian beer, Kelly’s On King also hosts the local bandroom known as the Bootleggers.