Are you a gin lover?
2019 is set to be a huge year for the gin industry with a number of emerging trends set to hit the mainstream.
But let’s talk a little history first.
Due to its well-known calming effects, gin is a high-quality drink that has been consumed by the masses ever since English soldiers started the trend back in the year 1585, before battles with the Spanish.
Gin and Tonic used to be the typical “over-the-bar counter” choice for men and women in older demographics. We see now that there has been a shift towards a younger demographic, with millennials enjoying gin as their drink of choice. On top of this, there is no alcohol and low-ABV botanical drinks, including gin mixed with ginger ale, that complement the authentic gin mixtures.
So, what does 2019 hold for the gin industry?
The Year of Gin
According to Oliver Ward, Co-founder of Gin Foundry, India has become a hot market this year replacing its predecessor nation Japan. Indian gin not only brings out the flavour but also brings out a high-quality product. “Himalayan Hapusa dry gin and Stranger and Sons gin are two drinks to look out for in the market this year”, says Ward.
Another very peculiar trend which has been paving its way of late is the way the drinks are being prepared. Smoking of the seeds, roasting before fermentation are some of the new techniques adopted by several high notch companies worldwide.
And of course, the most unique trend of them all. Gin tourism.
Many top-notch distillers like Bombay distillery have enough resources to facilitate factory visits- bringing forward a huge economic boom to their side. Gin tasting events have become the latest trend, giving wine tasting a run for its money.
Gin Delivery Services
One of the most transformative changes in the gin industry comes as a result of technology.
The fact that there’s a huge rise, not just in health awareness but also the fact that people can use technology to access their favourite food and drinks, means gin has jumped from behind the bar into people’s homes.
Food delivery services and home-based grocery shops have shown a mammoth-sized growth over the past years. And with that comes an increase in consumers ordering gin and other alcohol direct to their homes.
As a flow-on effect of this desire to enjoy gin on the go comes another game-changer in 2019’s gin industry – Gin in a can. Too tired to go to the bar and get yourself an old-fashioned G&T? Don’t you worry! Walk downstairs to the nearest dollar store and get yourself an ice-cold gin can.
When reached for comment regarding the waste material of gin in a can, the experts at Bins Express note, “ensuring that flavour and enjoyment are never placed above sustainability, the invention of biodegradable, environment-friendly cans means less worrying about where your waste will end up, and more time enjoying your drink!”
Changes in Brewing
200 years after the well-known Rum revolution in once British ruled Sydney, speculations of another rebellion are surfacing with the quality spirits, primarily Gin taking the high rung.
European spirit markets have long faced competition from Down Under. Recently, Adelaide’s Never Never Gin was named best in the world at the London Gin Awards – a stamp in Australian history.
The Botanical brewery methods, combined with local indigenous techniques such as the use of seaweed and whey products in Australian markets to enhance the flavour have not only given European markets -particularly London’s but also the entire Global market – a run for their money. People can’t get enough of this unique savoury gin, which can’t be found anywhere else on the globe.
Mr Gregor, co-owner of the popular Four Pillars Gin in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, quirkily responds to claims of an Australian monopoly on the Gin market by saying,” The only reason why London is ahead of us is that they’ve had a head start by almost three centuries. We have the potential in the next 20-30 years to completely flip the industrial statistics and become the world leaders in Gin production.”
The last time such a spike in the Gin market was seen was in the 1700s. 33% of the Aussie markets are dominated by Gin in comparison to the 11% ten years ago.
Why is the Australian Gin Market Flourishing?
The main reason why Australian gin markets are flourishing with profits owing to the fact that mass production isn’t done by distillers in a mindless way, but by keeping in mind exactly what the people want.
Consider the Queensland town of Bundaberg as proof of this. Local distillers prepare a special sugar gin which they mix with ginger beer to match the preferences of residents who have traditionally consumed beverages sweetened by local cane sugar.
Just as every tale has its antagonist, Tax has played a large part in influencing the Australian gin market.
This is confirmed by taxation experts Metro Bookkeeping who state, “although the Australian Distillers association have made several efforts to reduce the high domestic excise, the gin industry has just seen its 13th tax increase, in contrast to the wine industry which hasn’t seen one hike in over 17 years.”
What Impact Does Gin Have on the Australian Economy in 2019?
According to the financial experts at Empowered Finance the Australian economy benefits from gin, saying “in terms of the employment sector, more than 2,100 people are being given jobs directly through the Aussie gin market. This is reaping in an estimated $655 million in economic output.”
The number of microbreweries has doubled from 200 to 400 over the span of just half a dozen years. The advantage these microbreweries have over the rest is the fact that they can adapt to the latest trends more easily, as their investments in equipment and resources are less compared to larger global breweries.
What Does the Future of Gin Hold?
We’ve talked about the past and the present scenario. Now, what does the future hold for Gin markets?
According to the financial experts at Credit Capital, “on the local front, global uncertainty, high household debt, expected growing wages and increasing inflationary pressures and falling house prices may weaken growth prospects and economists are forecasting a slowing economy for 2019.”
However, with strong employment outcomes and a stable unemployment rate, Deloitte Insights are expecting Australian GDP growth to be in a range of 2.5% to 3% this year.
What effect this has on gin for the remainder of 2019 and beyond remains to be seen.
But with Gin emerging as one of the new favourite contemporary drinks of our time, the future seems bright.
