Hotel tycoon steps into to take over failed Rocks Brewing Co in Alexandria

After taking full control of Sydney Seaplanes, Australia’s largest private hotel owner has turned his attention to beer … and a landlocked brewery.

Dr Jerry Schwartz has taken over Alexandria’s Rocks Brewing Co with his Sydney Brewery. Picture: Supplied

Fresh from winning a business bid to gain full ownership of Sydney Seaplanes and relaunching the site’s waterfront restaurant, Australia’s largest private hotel owner Dr Jerry Schwartz has turned his attention to beer.

With the craft brewery sector struggling, particularly last year, The Schwartz Family Company (SFC) owned Sydney Brewery has taken over Rocks Brewing Company, which entered voluntary administration in October 2024.

Dr Schwartz has acquired the brewery and pub in Alexandria. It’s in the process of being incorporated into Sydney Brewery’s operations, with the brewery and restaurant rebranded as Sydney Brewery Alexandria.

In October 2024, owners of family owned Rocks Brewing Co said they were “devastated” to have to put the company into administration.

It comes after the craft brewing industry has been brought to its knees by rising cost of production and customers who are cutting back on non-essential items due to the cost of living crisis.

Dr Jerry Schwartz.

Sydney Brewery now has three outposts. Picture: Supplied

However Dr Schwartz Sydney Brewery has bucked that trend.

The Alexandria location adds to Sydney Brewery’s growing footprint, with locations already in Surry Hills, and a production facility at Lovedale in the Hunter Valley.

It comes after Dr Schwartz launched the company in 2005, when he set up an 800-litre wood-clad brew house in the basement of the Macquarie Hotel on Wentworth Street.

Dr Schwartz’s hotel portfolio boasts more than 15 hotels, including Sofitel Darling Harbour and the Fairmont Blue Mountains.

With the acquisition of Rocks Brewing Company, Dr Schwartz said he will have the capacity to produce more than half a million litres of craft beers, ciders and spirits across his various breweries.

There are also plans to revamp the menu, drinks selection and entertainment at the Alexandria site.

“Last year was a very difficult year for the craft brewing industry, but Sydney Brewery bucked the trend, and we have been urgently seeking extra capacity to produce our craft beers,” Dr Schwartz said in a statement.

“Our Sydney Brewery and restaurant in Surry Hills has been very popular and we believe that we can make Sydney Brewery Alexandria similarly popular.”

The acquisition follows Dr Schwartz’s takeover of Sydney Seaplanes, which saw him do battle with Justin Hemmes and Judy McMahon of Catalina’s for full control of the business, hoping to resurrect Rose Bay and turn it into a top hospitality precinct.