New restrictions for NSW pubs have been announced this week, capping maximum numbers at 300 people following a “concerning” rise in COVID-19 cases in the region.

White Brick Brewing in Brisbane’s North Lakes celebrated the end of an era this past weekend, closing after 3 years in business.

Bottle manufacturer O-I Glass told its investors yesterday that it had agreed to divest its Australian and New Zealand businesses. It is selling them to Visy Industries for AUD$947 million.

In addition to its Pub in a Box Moon Dog Craft Brewery is teaming up with Counter Covid to help Melbourne’s pubs get through the crisis again, by bringing pub experiences into customers’ living rooms. Every meal ordered from the pub will come with a free tinnie of Old Mate.

13 South Australian Craft Breweries have teamed up for the next edition of the Heaps Good Indie Beer Pack, which it says sold in 13 days the first time round.Part Two is limited to 300 cartons and launched last week, Friday, 10th July. Find out more.

The Gold Coast’s Black Hops Brewing is gearing up to launch its new taproom and barrel aging program. The team have finished the barrel room, bringing in red and white wine, gin, bourbon and whiskey barrels some of which have already been filled with beer.

News from Elsewhere

CUB is reportedly offering bars an pubs in Melbourne extended credit for two months as they ensure a second lockdown and Lion and CUB have undertaken not to pass on the government-mandated August 1 increase in CPI-linked excise.

BrewDog UK has announced alcohol drive throughs and a vegan delivery service.

Heineken has launched a contactless “robot bar” in collaboration with Sydney University.

The US Brewers Association is holding meetings with the members of Congress to get support for COVID-19 relief measures for the nation’s brewers.

Also in the US, a new report from Nielsen suggests that hard seltzer will take market share from beer.

Pirate Life has officially moved out of its South Road brewhouse and fully into its Port Adelaide site.

A PhD student at Murdoch University in WA has launched a study aimed at improving barley quality.

A century-old Geelong pub is becoming a Malt Shovel Taphouse.