Future of iconic Bundaberg Barrel confirmed

As the brand new Bundaberg Brewed Drinks ‘super brewery’ reaches completion, the company has commented on the future of the iconic Bundaberg Barrel.

The barrel itself has undegone a few subtle changes, with the addition of wire bottles at the entrance, and a vintage delivery car.

Anyone driving through Thabeban would be hard-pressed to miss the flurry of development that is the brand new Bundaberg Brewed Drinks super brewery.

The development, which was first officially lodged in 2021, is reaching its completion with proud signage already glowing on site.

While the company has not confirmed an official opening date, it has confirmed one vital piece of information.

The Bundaberg Barrel, a symbol of the company and the region’s success through agribusiness, will remain standing once the new site opens.

“The Bundaberg Barrel is not moving location,” a Bundaberg Brewed Drinks media representative confirmed.

“We have been situated on Bargara Road since we first launched and there are no plans to move in the foreseeable future.”

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks launched an ad campaign celebrating family, place and tradition to coincide with the 80th birthday of its founder and master brewer Cliff Fleming. Photo: Supplied.

As Bundaberg prepares to celebrate the launch of the super brewery, take a moment to look back on the history of the company that catapulted the region into soft drink stardom:

First established in 1960, the family-owned Bundaberg Brewed Drinks followed traditional recipes that called for locally grown ginger to be put to good use.

By 1973, Neville and Gladys Fleming, with their son Cliff and daughter-in-law Lee Fleming, moved from their initial operations on Electra Street to their current Bargara Road home.

Through the 1970s the company focused on a local market, but by the 1980s it had expanded into the international market with New Zealand.

The drinks quickly began to spread through Australian and New Zealand supermarkets, and by 1985, Neville and Gladys were ready to step back.

It is wonderful to see the different changes Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has gone through over its 60 plus years.

After handing the reins to Cliff and Nee, the company grew further on the international market.

The early 2000s brought the launch of its very first television ad campaign.

The success of the campaign culminated in the building of the iconic Bundaberg Barrel, a tourist attraction for those wondering how the country’s number one ginger beer was made.

Interactive displays, taste tests and educational material wowed visitors and locals alike.

By 2006, the company was exporting to more than 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States and Singapore.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks have been trialling hydroponically grown ginger to get a bigger product with more flavour.

In the early 2010s the company's range expanded to include the Sparkling range, including the ever-popular Blood Orange and Guava drinks.

In 2012, it hit a massive milestone after signing a distribution deal with US shopping giant Costco.

In 2018, Mr Fleming made the tough choice to pass on the baton, as his father had done for him decades earlier.

Independent board member Terry O‘Brien took over as chairman.

This deal and the continued international sales which contributed to recent annual net sales of $160 million has spurned the need for the new super brewery.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks chair Terry O'Brien (left) took over the reins from former chair Cliff Fleming (right).