Construction has started at Coopers Brewery’s $50m whisky and microbrewery project

Coopers Brewery will soon add whisky to its stable of well-loved beers, with detailed plans for its distillery, microbrewery and visitor centre unveiled. See the pictures.

Construction of Coopers Brewery’s new $50m visitor centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery has begun.

The development, which has a design inspired by the iconic Coopers label, is expected to be finished by May 2024, and will enable the 160-year-old family owned brewer to distil its own whisky for the first time.

The project will employ about 500 people during the construction phase, with construction company Built revealed as the builder.

An artists’ impression of what the new $50m Coopers visitor centre will look like.

Coopers managing director Dr Tim Cooper said there had been an “overwhelmingly positive” response from the public since the project was announced earlier this year.

“This is an exciting expansion for Coopers, and represents a significant investment for the company, with an emphasis on maximising Australian input throughout the process,” Dr Cooper said.

“As a proud Australian company, we hope to create a welcoming experience for local, national and international visitors, while positioning our brewery for the future.

“The feedback we’ve received from Coopers fans near and far is gratifying and their vote of confidence in this major investment is much appreciated.’’

Another concept view of the new visitor centre.

Dr Cooper said people were particularly interested in the wkisky element of the project, and with the company doing malting on site, it was able to have ownership of the product from the barley grain to the whisky glass.

“Our goal is to achieve the highest possible level of spirit quality to match our reputation in brewing,’’ Dr Cooper said earlier this year

The exterior design is inspired by the Coopers label.

The new building was designed by Studio Nine Architects, with input from sixth-generation family members and cousins Andrew Cooper and Louise Cooper.

Built general manager, SA, Chris Bate said the company was proud to be the delivery partner.

“This project will help bolster job creation providing in excess of 500 onsite local South Australian jobs during the construction phase and many more in the manufacturing of material prior to site delivery,” Mr Bate said.

In a separate, $15m project, Coopers is also expanding its warehousing facilities at its Regency Park site by 5500sq m.

That project, being built by Ahrens, will increase beer storage at the brewery by almost 50 per cent.

THE COOPERS DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE:

• Restaurant and bar

• Outdoor plaza dining

• Dedicated tasting room

• Interactive history display

• Microbrewery

• Whisky distillery

• Underground stillage for whisky maturation

Originally published as Construction has started at Coopers Brewery’s $50m whisky and microbrewery project