Blackman’s Brewery eyes expansion after growing to three venues, 50 staff
One of the Surf Coast’s favourite breweries is set to grow its presence across Melbourne venues and beyond on the back of a funding boost and a massive brewing milestone.
Geelong
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Blackman’s Brewery is eyeing expansion to stockists in Melbourne and more in Geelong after it produced 500,000 litres of beer in 2021.
The micro-brewery founded by Renn Blackman and wife Jess about seven years ago in Torqauy, and has added an Ocean Grove outlet, a Grovedale production facility and about 50 staff since.
Following a state government grant in 2020 Blackman’s expanded into a larger brewery and packaging facility at Grovedale last year.
Mr Blackman said his brewery had grown from offering two beers to a range of 11 beers and a seltzer.
“We had grown and got to that point where it made sense to for us to have somewhere where we could produce a lot more beer,” Mr Blackman, who learnt his trade at Perth breweries, said of the move to Grovedale.
“We make one to two new beers per month now.”
Mr Blackman said he wanted to expand into more bottle shops and pubs.
“We want to grow a lot more locally, there’s plenty of other venues around (we could get our products into). It makes a lot of sense for use to be involved locally.”
Mr Blackman said he would look to add more sales staff to the business in 2022.
“As you add more sales staff you need to add more production staff to make sure you have the product.”
The brewery currently supplies about 150 wholesale customers including independent bottle shops and large retailers.
Regional Development Minister Marry-Anne Thomas said the government’s financial support had enabled Blackman’s expansion.
“What I love about the business is the innovation, and the commitment to quality using local grains and local hops where possible,” Ms Thomas said.
“Covid has really driven a hyper-localism among our consumers. The Victorian Government has supported this business... because we.. want to ensure that food and drink suppliers were supported to be able to operate in Covid safe ways to be able to maintain their workforce and continue production.
“Blackman’s Brewery has been able to establish its brewhouse separate to its hospitality destination so that they can focus on brewing.”
The Blackman’s expansion was part funded from a grant from the state government’s
$50m Agriculture Workforce Plan.
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Originally published as Blackman’s Brewery eyes expansion after growing to three venues, 50 staff
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