James Boag Brewery brews final batch before November closure

Workers at the James Boag Brewery in Launceston brewed their final batch of beer on September 16, marking the end of 145 years of production. The brewery, which was established in 1881, is scheduled to officially close on November 6, 2026.

Lion, a subsidiary of the Japanese corporation Kirin, attributed the shutdown to declining beer sales, noting that the facility had recently been operating at less than one-fifth of its capacity. While the brewery will close, the onsite bar and restaurant are expected to remain open. Lion has pledged to repay $1 million to the Tasmanian Government, which had previously contributed to the construction of the Boag's Brewhouse. These funds will help support Beer Tasmania, a new organization designed to assist local brewers.

Employees expressed disappointment and anger regarding the closure. Workers will remain employed until the final closure date in November 2026.