West End to lift production of its beers and ciders
INTERNATIONAL food and beverage company Lion will officially open the new $70 million brewhouse at its West End Brewery in Thebarton today.
CONSUMERS of South Australia’s most popular beer West End, plus Southwark beer and Lions range of ciders, can be confident their favourite drop will be better than ever in future.
International food and beverage company Lion will officially open the new $70 million brewhouse at its West End Brewery in Thebarton this morning.
The company said the new brewery will slightly lift its production capacity to 120 million litres of beer annually and improve its beer making efficiency and ability to make smaller brews for national distribution.
In addition to brewing South Australia’s favourite beer, West End Draught, and Southwark beer, the brewery also makes a wider range of Lion’s beers such as Hahn and Toohey’s, and Irish beers including Guinness and Kilkenny.
West End Brewery director Idris Jama said that as the hub of Lion’s growing cider portfolio, the investment will help lift its cider production to an estimated 15 million litres annually and enhance its cider making capability through the installation of a world-class cidery.
Its cider brands including James Squire Orchard Crush, 5 Seeds and Kirin ciders will be made at West End for national distribution.
Mr Jama said the upgrade has taken about two years to complete and the company is particularly proud of a beautifully restored copper kettle which takes pride of place in the window for passers-by to see.
“The kettle has been with the brewery since 1938 and although it’s not in use anymore, it is there to remind us of the years of brewing that came before us, the tradition of our craft, and most importantly, our long standing relationship with the community,” Mr Jama said.
“West End Brewery has been part of the South Australian community since 1859 and this upgrade will ensure we can keep making the highest quality beer and ciders for many more years to come.”
The company said the 120 million litre a year capacity has risen slightly, but is important because it has given West End the capacity to make smaller brews for national distribution.
“Prior to the refurbishment, it was very much larger quantities of our main beers that were brewed, now it’s a more agile and flexible approach and allows us to do smaller batches under tight timelines and again meet consumer demand,” a spokesman said.
Mr Jama said West End was really proud of its strong ties to the community through its support of sporting teams, the Christmas Riverbank Display, the annual West End Chimney unveiling and the West End Community Fund, which has raised more than $2m for community groups and charities in the past 15 years.
Lion, a leading food and beverage company, employs 7000 people across 35 Australian and New Zealand manufacturing sites, including 518 people in SA at the brewery, its Salisbury milk processing operations and the St Hallett, Petaluma and Knappstein wineries.
West End Brewery is open to visitors for tours every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 11am and 1pm from Monday, November 23. Bookings can be made online at westenddraught.com.au/news-offers/brewerytours.