Oz drinkers now prefer complex flavours to cheap thirst-quenchers

Melbourne, April 27 (ANI): Australia's beer culture is changing for the better, with drinkers looking for more complex flavours than a cheap thirst-quencher, according to the "godfather" of craft brewing in the country.

Chuck Hahn made his comment after helping to lead a brewing class in Tasting Australia's L-Plates: Learn from the Masters program at Regency International Centre.

"Our drinkers have moved up a notch," News.com.au quoted him as saying.

"It used to be everyone wanted to get refreshed and relaxed. Now they want to be enthused about the flavours. We're developing a 'beer culture' rather than beer just being the culture," he said.

When Hahn opened his own micro-brewery 25 years ago the premium sector represented just 2 per cent of the Australian beer market and the craft section did not exist.

Now, premium sales account for about 14 per cent of the market.

There are also more than 130 craft breweries and the sector is increasing by 15 per cent a year.

Hahn, whose Malt Shovel Brewery is now part of the Lion Nathan empire, said home brewing was heading in the same direction, with more emphasis on crafting flavours than making a cheap drink.

Matt Hocking, 22, who took part in the brewing class, said he wanted to improve his home brew.

"I've only done it from a can before. It can be quite restricting," he said. (ANI)