In 1901 just after Federation (that is the 6 colonies becoming a single country) the Beer and Excise Act 1901 (Cth) was passed by the Federal Parliament. This Act tightly regulated the making and sale of beer. It also made home brewing illegal without a licence. The draconian provisions of this legislation contributed to the decimation of the smaller breweries. For example, 16 of Sydney’s 21 breweries closed soon after the Act’s introduction. The remaining New South Wales’ breweries were soon taken over by either Tooheys or Tooths.

As the time went on the larger breweries began to gobble up the smaller ones and the brewing market became ever more concentrated. The watershed was perhaps in 1907 when the giant Carlton and United Breweries Ltd was formed out of the Carlton Brewery, McCraken’s City Brewery, Victoria Brewery, Castlemaine Brewery, Shamrock Brewery and Fosters Brewery. Victoria now only had 37 breweries when it had boasted 124 just over 30 years earlier.

Labels of the breweries which formed CUB in 1907: Fosters, Victoria, Castlemaine, McCracken's and Shamrock Breweries.

World War One had a tremendous impact on Australian society and culture. Men flocked to join the Anzacs. Numerous brewery workers enlisted and, in the better breweries, they were still paid a top up wage while in the army and their jobs were guaranteed to be secure on their return, that is if they returned. The whole adventure turned into a baptism by fire for the young nation. We recommend that you visit the Australian War Memorial site to learn more.

On 19 December 1918 an interesting event occurred in Darwin, a city in which much beer was consumed but which did not have its own brewery. A beer shortage caused drastic increases in prices and greedy hoteliers made the situation worse by speculating and withholding whatever was available. This caused an angry mob to march on Government House practically sparking a riot such as has not been seen since the Eureka Stockade. The mob was allayed but a three month boycott of pubs ensued.

Take a break from drinking like the author of this article did - Read why and how in his book Between Drinks: Escape the Routine, Take Control and Join the Clear Thinkers