The Australian Brewery expands to keep up with booming local and overseas orders for craft beer

A NEW head brewer and a top German brewer are transforming The Australian Hotel and Brewery as they eye a larger slice of the booming export market.

Sales Manager David Ward welcomes new brewer Max Haemmerle to the team at the Australian Brewery. Pictures: Justin Sanson

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A NEW head brewer and a top German brewer who loves making the best beers are transforming The Australian Hotel and Brewery to another level as the award-winning craft brewer eyes a larger slice of the booming export market.

The brewery, which picked up more international and Australian gold medals recently, is eyeing further expansion, with plans to take over a part of the car park as exports and local appetite for craft beer hitting the roof.

With the stepping down of Neal Cameron as head brewer last October, fellow experienced brewer Dan Shaw has taken over the reigns of the family-owned Rouse Hill brewery and signed up German Maxillian Haemmerle to his team which includes Charlie Claridge and Tom Davies.

Dan Shaw is the new head brewer.

The brewery, since its opening in 2010, has made massive strides in exports with its best-selling beers now sold in the United States, Japan, China, Canada, Hong Kong, India, Abu Dhabi, and new markets opening in Far East Asia.

China can’t have enough of the brewery’s top beers, including the New World Pilsner, Australian Pale Ale, All Star Session IPA, and Seis Hermans Lager, according to the brewery’s sales manager David Ward.

“The last 12 months have proved very significant for us in terms of growth,” Mr Ward said.

Sales Manager David Ward and new brewer Max Haemmerle.

“We have been winning more gold medals too and we just can’t seem to make our beers fast enough for the markets.

“Having Dan take over means a smooth transition for us as he has been with us for the past seven years and is a great brewer.

Former head brewer Neal Cameron (centre) with Dan Shaw and David Ward.

“Getting Max here for his second stint with us is a big coup for us as he is one of the most experienced brewers in Germany.

“Max in fact did his internship with us a few years ago so he knows our brewery well.”

Mr Haemmerle is a graduate from the prestigious Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University in Bavaria, completing his five-year degree in 2016.

German Max Haemmerle completed a five-year degree in brewing.

“I’m excited to come back to Australia and start my career with the Australian Brewery,” Mr Haemmerle said.

“I made great friendships while doing my internship and love how passionate the team are to make great beer.

“I am enjoying working here and contributing to the team and I am thinking of some new seasonal beers.

Max Haemmerle shows off one of the company’s top beers.

“There is a big difference with making beer in Germany and Australia as there we have a purity law which means that you have to use hops, water, malt and yeast.

“Also craft beer is not big in Germany where the traditional beers are the most popular.”

In 2016 the brewery won two gold medals at the International Beer challenge in London and one each at the Australian International Beer Awards and the Craft Beer Industry Awards in addition to silver and bronze medals.