Australia: Scottish craft brewer BrewDog announces location for Australian brewery

After a six-month search, flamboyant Scotland-based brewery BrewDog has announced Brisbane will be the home for its new Australian brewery, Australian Brews News reported on February 6.

Brisbane beat Newcastle to become the site of the Australian brewery, with support from the Queensland State Government and Brisbane Marketing.

BrewDog’s local head Zarah Prior told Brews News the perceived enthusiasm from the city’s beer community had proven a decisive factor.

“We’ve been so humbled by the support from local businesses as well as the local community who have shown a real passion for BrewDog to call Brissie home,” she said.

“It’s a city that’s on the brink of some incredible growth, and we can’t wait to be a part of that. There are tonnes of amazing local breweries we’re looking forward to working alongside and collaborating with.

“From local brewing pioneers Green Beacon and Newstead, through to up and coming breweries like our mates at Range Brewing.

“We are hugely appreciative of the support we received from Brisbane Marketing, Austrade, and the Queensland Government, all of whom played a role in sealing the deal for Brisbane.”

BrewDog said the riverfront brewery fits into Brisbane’s plans to become a new world city. The company is partnering with local developers NPD Property Group to build its state-of-the-art brewing facility in Brisbane’s Metroplex complex in Murarrie, 8km east of the CBD.

BrewDog says the total investment in Australia may reach A$30 million, including the construction of the 50hL brewing and canning facility. The 3,000 sqm site will also feature a restaurant, taproom and visitor centre.

The initial A$10 million brewery development will be built and owned by the developers and leased to the Scottish brewery.

The brewer said it has then earmarked a further A$20 million for its laboratory, taproom and growing bar division, which will be spent “over time”, dependent on growth.

The additional A$20 million investment to some extent appears to be dependent on the company’s current crowdfunding campaign, Equity for Punks, which has listed the sum of £5 million as being set aside for the Australian brewery. The sum is set aside as part the ‘stretch goal’ for the campaign, if it raises £50 million.

The campaign was recently extended, having achieved its initial £10 million target, but at £12.26 million is currently short of that goal. BrewDog says that its local operation is not dependent on the Equity for Punks funds but will enable it to “invest more quickly” in its Australian operation.

The project is projected to create 150 jobs over five years. A head of production position will be amongst the first to be created and advertised soon.

05 February, 2018