West End Brewery reaches end of production ahead of closure
The final kegs come off the production line at the iconic West End Brewery on Thursday, bringing to an end more than 160 years of SA brewing history.
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More than 160 years of brewing history will come to an end at Thebarton on Thursday when the final kegs roll off the line at the iconic West End Brewery.
The end of production comes eight months after brewery owner Lion announced it would close the historic site because of declining beer sales, intense competition from craft brewers and rising costs.
Brewing has taken place at the Port Road site since 1886.
It began as the Torrenside Brewery, later becoming the Southwark Brewery and finally the West End Brewery in 1980, when the company relocated from Hindley St in the CBD where it had operated since 1859.
On Thursday the final kegs will come off the production line, bringing to an end West End’s 162 years of local brewing.
Lion supply chain director Ian Roberts said it was a time to reflect on “the great history and people of the mighty West End Brewery”.
“The West End Brewery has been a vibrant part of the SA community since 1859,” he said.
“The brewery has continued to run admirably in its final weeks and months, which is a testament to the pride and passion of our loyal West End team.
“Now is the time to salute the West End crew who are seeing the brewery through to its closure and have done both Lion and the history of West End proud.”
Lion has been gradually winding down operations ahead of a final closure of the site at the end of the month, which will be followed by demolition of buildings, remediation of the 8.2ha site and rezoning ahead of a potential sale and redevelopment.
Around 40 of the nearly 100 workers at the site will stay on in sales and sponsorship roles, with the rest left to find new employment.
GALLERY: See a collection of historic West End Brewery photos
West End community brewer Tony Jones, who will retire after close to 40 years with the company, said it would be a sad time for workers when the gates close for the final time on June 30.
“I know there’s a lot of people around at the moment who are feeling pretty emotional about it - the reality really approaches now,” he said.
“It will be a sad day, the last day, but you do need to face reality - places that have existed for many years don’t necessarily have a place in the future. It’s very sad but we have to accept that reality.”
United Workers Union coordinator Mark Whenan said many workers were still disappointed with Lion’s decision to close a profitable site.
“This is obviously a sad day for workers, some of which have worked at the brewery for their entire career,” he said.
“The United Workers Union has managed to secure employment for some workers in other breweries, but many others have tried in vain to find meaningful, full-time work.”
Premier Steven Marshall said West End Brewery had been “a part of the South Australian landscape for decades, proudly employing people from our state”.
“While its doors are now closing, its legacy won’t be soon forgotten,” he said.
Following the end of production at Thebarton, the West End and Southwark range will continue to be brewed at Lion’s eastern-state breweries, while the Thebarton site will be prepared for a potential sale.
Before that, an archaeological dig will examine a site where its believed the remains of a cottage where Colonel William Light spent his final months may be found.
The original Walkerville Brewhouse Tower, located behind the brewery’s glass-fronted building on Port Road, and a historic copper kettle featured inside the Port Road building will be preserved after securing provisional state heritage listings last month.
Three other local heritage places on the site, including the brewery gardens where the annual Christmas lights display is held, are also being considered for state heritage listing.
Mr Roberts said Lion was committed to retaining a number of West End community traditions and events.
“The much-loved Christmas riverbank display, which attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, and the cheers at the unveiling of the premiership team’s colours at the SANFL chimney ceremony will both likely be staged in the future by West Torrens City Council, and we continue to progress negotiations,” he said.
“A significant museum of artefacts at the site is in the process of being catalogued and sorted, and will be donated to the Library of SA and other local historical and cultural institutions so the people of SA can access, enjoy and learn from these items.”
Property experts have previously suggested the sprawling West End site could attract offers up to $60m, while the United Workers Union prepared its own valuation during redundancy negotiations with Lion, suggesting the site could fetch close to $80m.
The $78.8m valuation was based on a development including 480 residential units.
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Originally published as West End Brewery reaches end of production ahead of closure
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