The drive-through bottle-o makes a comeback at Sydney breweries

The last time drive-through bottle shops were a novelty in Australia, Johnny O'Keefe was top of the pops, and cracking a Foster's required a can opener. As result of social distancing rules, however, drive-through beer is finding new fans.

"We put our 'beep for beer' sign up last week and local support for the drive-through has been huge," says Nick Calder-Scholes, head brewer at Botany's One Drop Brewing Co.

"I'm either working in the brewery or bottle shop during the day, so when someone beeps their horn it's no problem to run fresh beer over to their car. I'm actually keen to keep the system going when the world returns to normal."

Sydney Brewery in Surry Hills has also launched a contactless drive-through as independent breweries change their service models in order to remain in business during the coronavirus pandemic.

"Sixty per cent of our revenue was through tap room sales, thanks to Botany locals and travellers because we're close to the airport," says Calder-Scholes. "That went kaput when travel bans and social gathering restrictions were introduced so we needed to adapt."

There are more than 600 independently-owned breweries in Australia. While panic buying led sales of multinational beer brands to skyrocket at major retailers in the past fortnight, a survey conducted by the Independent Brewers Association (IBA) this week revealed revenue has dropped by 70 per cent on average across independent breweries.

Ninety-three per cent of independent breweries also reported they are now in a loss-making position largely due to pubs, bars and restaurants no longer buying kegs of draught beer while closed.

As a way to help consumers support pandemic-affected breweries, venues and retailers, independent beer directory and news website The Crafty Pint has launched the #KeepingLocalAlive campaign. Businesses are encouraged to use the campaign hashtag on social media to indicate they're still serving local beer during the COVID-19 crisis.

"With the bushfires and climate strikes, sadly this is the third campaign Crafty Pint has been a part of in the past nine months," says the site's founder James Smith. "However, people in the beer world are a creative bunch and that should put them in good stead to innovate."

For consumers, many limited-release beers usually only available from a brewery's tasting room can now be enjoyed at home.

"It's a fantastic time to be an indie beer fan," says Peter Philip, IBA chair and founder of Wayward Brewing in Camperdown. "All the brewers I've talked too are trying to get their kegged beer into people's hands, whether that's through doing [1.89 litre] growler refills, special canning runs or free home delivery."

In addition to a drive-through bottle-o, One Drop is offering delivery within a five-kilometre radius though its "roaming barman" service. "Put an order in and we'll turn up at your house with beer, gloves and a wireless EFTPOS terminal," says Calder-Scholes.

Meanwhile, in partnership with other independent brewers, Wayward has created a "Best of the Inner West" 12-pack, available for pre-order through the Bucket Boys online bottle shop.

"Brewers are in this together and trying to help each other survive," says Philip. "No one is trying to steal the next person's lunch."

Short-run specialty brews are on Wayard's horizon, too, such as a "Coffee and Doughnuts" milk stout made with actual coffee and doughnuts.

"People can expect to see a lot more limited-release brews launched over the next few months," says Smith. "Many brewers will be looking to keep production moving, get new beers on the market and keep their staff employed."