Brisbane’s Ballistic Beer Co’s secret to success revealed

What began as a small Brisbane start-up has gone … well … quite literally Ballistic in the space of just three years. This is the secret to their success.

Evan Lloyd and Lachy Crothers pose for a photograph at Ballistic Beer Co. in Salisbury. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

WHAT began as a small Brisbane start-up has gone … well … quite literally Ballistic in the space of just three years.

Ballistic Beer Co head brewer Lachy Crothers says he is still astonished at the growth of the company since it officially started in January 2017.

But Mr Crothers, who has been a brewer for 10 years having worked in breweries overseas and in Western Australia, said the expansion of the company from two to 60 staff had “happened organically”.

Head Brewer Lachy Crothers poses for a photograph at Ballistic Beer Co. in Salisbury. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

While brewing some of the best and most unique craft beers in Australia, Ballistic Beer Co has created enough momentum for the company to open up two other locations, Ballistic West End Alehouse & Kitchen and a 350-seat brew pub at Springfield.

There are also plans to open another site in southeast Queensland.

At the heart of the success is the fact the company brews “a decent beer”, according to Mr Crothers.

David Kitchen, Ev Lloyd, Lachy Crothers and Jake Harrison posing at Ballistic Brewing, Salisbury in Salisbury. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

But it is the community focus that keeps customers coming back for more.

“Our focus is quality of the beer,” Mr Crothers said.

“We believe beer is for everyone.

Mr Crothers said the “cleanliness and consistency of the beer” was paramount and the reason for Ballistic investing heavily in brewing and testing equipment.

Ballistic Beer Co’s head brewer Lachy Crothers. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

He said Ballistic didn’t release beers brewers were not happy with, and thankfully they didn’t make them in the first place.

Earlier this year, News Corp reported Ballistic Beer Co was on track to generate more than $3 million in revenue in the 2018-2019 financial year with this number predicted to climb this financial year.

“We’re opening up high quality breweries quickly and the community is embracing craft beer,” Mr Kitchen told News Corp earlier this year.

David Kitchen at Ballistic Brewing, Salisbury. (AAP Image/Josh Woning)

“It’s a vibrant, dynamic industry and Queensland is blazing a trail for the rest of Australia.

“In the craft beer world, Queensland is kicking arse.”

“We are on the verge of selling out of our Springfield Pilsner every week … we can’t keep up,” Mr Crothers added proudly.

Ballistic Beer Co, which is based in Salisbury and West End, is celebrating its third birthday in February. Head brewer Lachy Crothers with brewer Aaron Payne. (AAP Image/Renae Droop)

Mr Crothers said he loved his job and Ballistic was made up of “a really great team”.

“It is hard work, hot, and stressful with tight deadlines (but rewarding),” he said.

He said he and his Ballistic workmates would “bed down” in 2020 and continue to improve what they were doing.