The drink company that’s Sparkke-ing change

DRIVING social change, diversity, inclusiveness, social equity … they are catchcry words at Sparkke, a craft brewing company aiming to be totally different to the usual “few guys and their dogs in a shed”.

Rose Kentish, co-founder of Sparkke, and brewer Agi Gajic with their new apple cider at the central market. Photos: AAP Image/ Brenton Edwards

DRIVING social change, diversity, inclusiveness, social equity … they are catchcry words at Sparkke, a craft brewing company aiming to be totally different to the usual “few guys and their dogs in a shed”.

They also litter the passionate conversation of group leader and veteran winemaker Rose Kentish, long renowned for her double wine vintages in McLaren Vale and in France, where a penchant began for “sharing knowledge, culture and language”.

She grew up on a farm in the South-East “where we made our bread and churned our butter”, then successfully, “if at first naively”, chased a dream with husband Sam Harrison, taking over the family vineyard in McLaren Vale.

But it was after discussions with a marketing strategist friend, that she decided her latest project would be “more inclusive”.

“It was evident that craft brewing was growing, as was the number of people changing to an ethos of drinking less and drinking better,” she said. “I had never brewed beer before, but was always fascinated by it.”

Kentish also loved the idea of a female-led company, with a social conscience. Sparkke beer cans reflect the changing conscience, she says, describing them as “great real estate, where the messages can talk about our concerns, and make a difference”.

The company started with a crowd-funding campaign that raised $100,000 in four weeks. Another drive is planned to further encourage people to invest, and become owners of the company.

This month, Kentish and Sparkke brewer Agi Gajac, will be sharing the message and hosting a Producer in Residence stall at the Adelaide Central Market. They will be serving a special edition mulled cider on market days until June 23, as well as tastings of ginger beer and “hard lemonade”, a New England Pale Ale, and Pilsner.

Apart from the value in the messages, driven by community feedback, Sparkke bevvies are natural and made from ingredients from the Hills to the Riverland.

sparkke.com, adelaidecentralmarket.com.au