A growing number of travellers are arriving on our shores with a thirst for our ales, and the latest addition to the Tasmanian Beer Trail is perfectly positioned to add to this.
Just a few minutes from our state’s busiest gateway, the Last Rites Brewery and Cellar Door at Cambridge will offer what many regard as a perfect arrival; a warm welcome and a cold beer.
I congratulate the five owners of Last Rites on today’s official opening of their cellar doors, building on an often sell-out run at festivals and events across the state.
The friends have come a very long way, from home-brewers with a love for beer to business owners at the forefront of ‘new world’ hop-driven ales in Tasmania.
Their commitment and investment is a testament to Tasmania’s growing reputation for producing some of the best beers in the world.
The business currently employs the five owners, but there is already expansion plans in the works and potential to create more jobs.
It is this type of entrepreneurism that has helped Tasmania to reach yesterday’s record level of employment, with more Tasmanians than ever before in a job.
We share in Last Rite’s passion for Tasmania’s brewing industry, and have invested $250,000 in delivering our election commitment to implement the state’s first Beer Tourism Plan.
The centrepiece was launching the country’s first Beer Trail, together with the industry, to promote and grow the sector.
This will capitalise on the emerging tourism niche, which attracts about 125,000 travellers each year, and will help us to reach our target of attracting 1.5 million visitors to our state every year by 2020, which the industry tells us will create 8,000 jobs.
Will Hodgman, Premier Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events
