News

Cider Australia has called on the Federal Government to refocus its Wine Equalisation Tax. In Australia, the WET tax is designed to help small local producers compete against the big players in the market. This is a tax of 29% of the wholesale value of wine. Currently Aussie wine, cider and perry producers are eligible for a rebate of up to AU$500,000 on the tax. For the big players this is “nice to have”. Not having it isn’t going to kill them. For the smaller players with a handful of staff this is the only way they can compete.

As it stands all Cider makers (excluding fruit ciders) are eligible. The Australian Government is trying to reduce the cost of the rebate to the Federal Budget. So Cider Australia is proposing to exclude cider makers who use imported juice or concentrate. The theory is if you want the rebate you must buy your juice from Australian growers. This will ensure the tax dollars from the rebate say in the Aussie economy. As the biggest players take the most rebate while using imported concentrate this adjustment would be a big saving. Craft Cider producers do not claim anywhere near the maximum $500,000 as they just don’t sell the volume.

Full Cider Australia press release after the break

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Cider Australia today opened entries to the 2016 Australian Cider Awards. Expecting a flood of entries in Australia’s largest cider show ever.

The sixth annual Australian Cider Awards continues to gain momentum as producers vie for accolades. This year sees more classes than ever before this reflects the sustained development of an industry that shows no signs of slowing down! Read More

There has been so much cider news over the last little while here in Australia and around the world. I thought it better catch you lot up. Read More

The rapid growth of apple cider globally has encouraged the industry to introduce its own international event to celebrate the delicious drink.
World Cider Day will be held for the first time tomorrow, Friday June 3rd, with events and specials planned for venues across Australia. Read More

Australia’s favourite annual boutique beer, gourmet food and for the first time cider festival will return this year with GABS 2016 expected to bring more to the plate (and glass) than ever before!

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Apple and pear growers, cider producers, marketers, juicing company representatives and industry suppliers will once again converge on the picturesque apple growing community of Batlow for the 2016 Cider Industry Conference and CiderFest in May. Read More

Mike Baird broke Sydney. Thanks to Sydney’s Lockout Laws, night life hot spots are turning into ghost towns.  I believe drinks like craft beer and cider can save the day. Read More

2015 has been another massive growth year for cider in Australia and around the world. I’ve tasted more ciders this year than ever before. More than that, the quality is improving. I put that down to the cider makers learning more every season and the cider drinkers becoming more adventurous and discerning. So here are my Best Ciders of 2015.

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