BrewDog to build Brisbane brewery: ‘It’s a cool place to live and just as cool a place to do business’

By Rachel Arthur

- Last updated on GMT

Pic: BrewDog
Pic: BrewDog

Related tags Craft beer Brewery

Scottish brewer BrewDog has announced it will build its Australian brewery in Brisbane, Queensland, in an $30m AUD ($24m USD) investment.

The new riverfront site in the Murarrie area will feature a 50hl, 3,000sqm brewery and canning line, as well as a taproom and restaurant.

The Brisbane site will initially serve Australia, but BrewDog is also eyeing up the potential of exporting to Asia from the site. 

The brewer announced last year​ that it planned to create an Australian brewery, shortlisting the harbor city of Newcastle in New South Wales and the Queensland capital Brisbane.

Expanding Australian craft beer community

The launch of BrewDog Australia is expected to create 150 jobs in the area over five years. 

BrewDog says it was attracted to Brisbane because of its vibrant beer scene which includes craft brewing pioneers, as well as noting the city is 'on the brink of some incredible growth' with a number of developments underway in the city.

“Brissie is awesome. We loved it from the moment we first set foot there; the passion and knowledge of the beer community is infectious,”​ says BrewDog.

“It’s a cool place to live and just as cool a place to do business.”

BrewDog says the Australian brewery will allow it to produce ‘super-fresh craft beer’ for Australian fans, as well as collaborating with local craft brewers to expand the craft beer scene.

It will brew its core range there alongside small-batch brews that use local ingredients.

“We love the communities that craft beer has engendered around the world; this is the true yardstick for our industry, and the major point of difference with the mass-produced alternatives.

"Keeping those connections going is what we are about. Growing the market share for independent craft breweries in Australia is a major reason why we are about to embark in the biggest project yet for our company.”

Construction is due to start later this year with the first beers from the site on the market in early 2019.

BrewDog was founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie to offer an alternative to ‘industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales’.

Describing itself as an ‘irreverent craft brewer’, BrewDog now employs more than 800 people globally, exports to 60 countries, and operates 50 bars. It is also known for its Equity for Punks crowdfunding projects.

It has breweries in Ellon, Scotland; and Columbus, Ohio. Its flagship brew, Punk IPA, is the number one craft beer in UK supermarkets.

brewdog first beers australia 2019
The first beers will roll off the line in Brisbane early next year

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