Prohibition Liquor Co wins Four World Drinks Awards
Image courtesy: Prohibition Liquor Co
Prohibition Liquor Co win shows South Australia’s premium craft brands can still scale.
International recognition for an Adelaide distillery demonstrates how local hospitality and food-and-beverage brands can build resilience through premium positioning, exportability and diversified revenue.
South Australia’s hospitality sector is under pressure, but the success of Prohibition Liquor Co shows another side of the story - premium local brands can still grow, compete internationally and strengthen the State’s visitor economy.
InDaily reports that Adelaide’s Prohibition Liquor Co took home four major awards at the 2026 World Drinks Awards in London. Food & Drink Business and Drinks Trade also reported strong Australian results at the awards, including recognition for Prohibition Liquor Co in liqueur categories and broader Australian spirits success.
This matters because South Australia’s economic resilience is not only about maintaining existing businesses. It is also about creating higher-value products and brands that can travel beyond the local market. Premium spirits, wine, food, tourism and events all contribute to a broader identity economy - one that links Adelaide, the Barossa, McLaren Vale, the Adelaide Hills, the CBD and interstate or international audiences.
The Prohibition story also highlights the shift from venue-based hospitality to brand-based hospitality. A successful food or beverage business may now need multiple channels - cellar door or bar experience, events, direct-to-consumer sales, wholesale, e-commerce, tourism partnerships, gifting, awards credibility and export ambition.
That diversified model is more resilient than a single-site venue model. It allows a business to withstand changes in foot traffic, rent pressure and seasonal demand. It also creates brand equity that can support South Australia’s wider tourism and premium produce narrative.
South Australia has a credible opportunity to build a stronger premium craft ecosystem - one that connects distillers, winemakers, brewers, food producers, designers, event organisers, hotels, restaurants and tourism operators into a more resilient visitor-economy network.
A Resilience Lens
For C4R - CENTRE FOR RESILIENCE, the key point is that hospitality should not be viewed only as a vulnerable sector. It is also a platform for innovation, regional identity, manufacturing, tourism, exports and cultural branding.
This is a positive resilience story. Premium craft brands can reduce exposure to local trading conditions by building multiple income streams and stronger market positioning. Awards do not guarantee commercial success, but they can strengthen brand credibility, tourism appeal and export potential.
Sources:
Food & Drink Business - Aussie spirits strength recognised at World Drinks Awards 2026
Drinks Trade - Australia celebrates major trophies at World Drinks Awards 2026
World Drinks Awards - Official awards platform
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