Australia's big brewers under scrutiny

The competition watchdog has launched an enquiry into potentially anti-competitive tap contracts being forged between the big brewers and the pubs and clubs.

The concern is that the large players are using anti-competitive tactics to lock out rivals and disadvantage smaller beer brands, according to a Fairfax Media report.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has reportedly written to large brewers like Lion and Carlton & United Breweries to gain a better understanding of their draught beer contracts.

According to the report, the ACCC said in the letter that it was making some inquiries to “better understand the supply conditions within the wholesale draught beer market in Australia, and to understand how certain conduct may be affecting competition”.

The ACCC has also asked companies if they have an exclusive distribution arrangement with any customers for the supply of draught beer, whether the price paid by venues allowed their business to earn a competitive margin, and whether their business had offered to supply draught beer, but the venue had declined the offer.