00:01This Bridpot Festival may have been all about scallops, but local beers were the beverage of choice.
00:07Drinkers mourning the imminent loss of Bugs Brewing in Launceston after 145 years of production.
00:14We're quite upset about Bugs closing, being Bugs drinkers for several years.
00:19Don't close it down. Don't close it down.
00:22The state government's hoping to shift attention to the region's craft brewers
00:26through a new initiative called Beer Tasmania.
00:29It's all about celebrating local brewing.
00:32As you know, we have some wonderful craft brewers.
00:35Bugs parent company Lion is returning $1 million, gifted to it by the state government in 2023.
00:42Almost half will go to a northern beer trail, a weekend beer event and support for business events in the
00:48region.
00:49With the coming beer trail, we're hoping that will help boost the winter period as well.
00:55Anything that's good from a government basis, any support we can get is always positive.
00:58The government estimates its $440,000 investment in brewing and events could generate up to $16 million for the local
01:06economy.
01:06But the opposition says it doesn't help the 42 workers from Bugs who have lost their jobs.
01:11It's a little bit too little too late and it won't be very much comfort to those Bugs workers.
01:17Some beer fans will also be hard to convince.
01:20What are your favourite breweries in the region of Harper Road?
01:23Um, yeah, Bugs.
01:27Bugs?
01:27Yep.
01:29Hoping the last drinks call doesn't come for Northern Tasmania.
01:32The restaurant will be in the last two years.
01:33You can get a little bit more involved in the area.
01:38You
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