Food and Beverage

Australians are becoming more selective about how often they go out, what they drink and how much they spend when they do. For hospitality venues, the impact is being felt across everything from beer and wine sales to restaurant trading conditions. The cost of serving alcohol continues to rise, with beer excise increasing automatically every…

For the past four or five years, the Australian RTD market has been dominated by bright, familiar flavours such as lemon and orange. Now, passionfruit is emerging as the next flavour to watch, bringing a more tropical twist to the light, soft-drink-style alcoholic beverages that have become increasingly popular with consumers, particularly women. For pubs,…

People operating or working in licensed venues or events that sell or supply alcohol now have a new resource to ensure they comply with liquor laws, with the release of a series of short, educational animations. Liquor & Gaming NSW has produced five instructional videos in various languages to simplify the licensing process, reduce barriers…

There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cold beer on a hot day after putting numerous hours in the office. Now, researchers have unveiled the reason behind the delightful taste of a chilled pint – and it has everything to do with the behaviour of alcohol at varying temperatures Cracking open a cold beer on a…

For generations, the local pub has been at the heart of Australian communities, providing a place for friends to gather, celebrate and unwind. Today, however, a trip to the bar is becoming an increasingly expensive outing, with the steadily rising cost of beer causing many people to think twice before ordering another round. One of…

For many clubs and pubs, the traditional image of diners arriving in couples or groups is changing. More guests are choosing to eat alone, whether they’re business travellers staying in accommodation, members stopping in after work, retirees, shift workers or people simply enjoying some time to themselves. While solo diners have become one of the…

From 1 July 2026, thousands of NSW businesses will face a major shift in waste management, with new laws requiring food waste to be separated from general waste. The phased rollout will first apply to larger food-related operations such as supermarkets, restaurants and cafes, schools and hotels, before gradually expanding to smaller businesses by 2030.…

Australia’s relationship with alcohol is continuing to evolve, and for clubs and pubs the changes are becoming impossible to ignore. Data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), the National Drug Strategy Household Survey and the 2024 DrinkWise Australia Drinking Trends Report point to a long-term moderation trend, particularly among younger Australians. While…

A new wave of transparency is coming to Australia’s hospitality industry, with diners set to notice a key change on menus across the country. A federal regulation shake-up will see pubs, restaurants, takeaway outlets, and fast-food chains begin to clearly label the origins of the seafood they serve, giving customers clearer insight into what’s on…