r/AusBeer • u/chrissoooo • 16d ago
VIC Kozel Dark Lager - where did they go?
These used to be stocked in plenty of Dan Murphy, local bottle-o’s etc a couple of years ago but have since disappeared. I can’t find them to order online anywhere in aus either. Does anyone know the story behind where they went? I noticed they are owned by Asahi as well.
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u/DT2014 16d ago
A lot of the imports that Dans used to have a tonne of a decade ago have slowly been disappearing.
In fact it's a bit hush-hush but Endeavour group have been cutting back the product lines that Dans holds on shelves. A lot of the lines that were slow in craft beer and spirits are being cleared from inventory. Craft beer especially is being massively dialed back.
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u/BeerReflections 16d ago
The imports have made way for locally made beer from craft breweries to some extent. Fresh is best!
It's no secret EDG has moved away from national craft beer brands. Some are still present on the shelves, though. More localised brands, both state and regional, still have a presence.
The number of SKUs produced for their subsidiary, Pinnacle Drinks, continues to grow. In Dan's, the percentage of shelf space they take up is noticeable but small compared to BWS.
I agree, there's been overall change, but I'm not sure I'd agree Dan's have massively dialled back. I've noticed more change at my local First Choice. Yet, both are increasingly taking a fair chunk of trade from the small indie bottle shops.
Of course, I can only speak to what I observe in my area. I'm in regional Victoria.
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u/Eddysgoldengun 16d ago
The weaker dollar is probably making a lot of the lot of the more niche imports unviable
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u/barfridge0 16d ago
Import beers in general are steadily decreasing, which is a terrible shame, I've complained before about not being able to get Pilsner Urquell, another amazing Czech beer.
What is increasing is fake / home brand 'craft' beers, at Dans these are things like Zytho Brewing, Initial Brewing, Algorithm Brewing, Colossal Brewing and Gogo Fish. Pushing actual craft beer off the shelves with generic disappointment.
Not to mention the brands already owned by the big 2, like Balter, Stone & Wood, Little Creatures etc