Australia: Cascade brewery to diversify production range

Cascade's beer belly is swelling with the installation of new brewing vessels to make international and boutique-Australian beers, Mercury reported October 25.

The Southern Tasmanian brewery will soon produce French beer Kronenbourg 1664 and Australian brewer Matilda Bay's Beez Neez, Bohemian Pilsner and Redback range.

The company is spending $3.3 million on upgrades to brew the beer, with another $2.7 to be spent on the expansion this financial year.

General manager of production Max Burslem said the addition of six new 100,000 litre fermentation tanks at the brewery this week would give the company greater flexibility.

"Cascade was selected on the basis of superior brewing quality to brew the key brands within Matilda Bay's portfolio following the closure of the North Fremantle production," Mr Burslem said.

"As Australia's oldest operating brewery, innovation and continual improvement have been critical to our ongoing success and development."

Mr Burslem said upgraded facilities often meant job losses, but made assurances Cascade's current workforce would be maintained.

Four of the tanks were lowered into place by a crane this morning, with another two to be installed tomorrow.

26 October, 2007