Name change for popular Aussie beer company after racism row

An Australian brewery has changed its name after years of pressure amid claims it “glorifies and glamorises the colonial process”.

An independent Australian brewery has rebranded, changing its name after years of pressure from anti-racism activists.

Colonial Brewing Company, now CBCo Brewing, was brought into the spotlight in 2020 when liquor chain Blackhearts & Sparrows pulled the beverages from its shelves.

The chain dropped the beer company after a lengthy campaign from Melbourne journalist Shaad D’Souza, who said the “stupid and degrading” name “glorifies and glamorises the colonial process that destroyed cultures and countries across the globe”.

CBCo Brewing managing director Lawrence Dowd, head of brewing Ash Hazell, national operations manager Jarrod Stivala, national sales manager Nick Makowski and marketing and communications manager Jenna Godley.

“It is perverse for companies to gain profit by creating nostalgia for a time when First Nations people were killed en masse and other cultures around the world were forced into conditions of poverty, slavery, disease, cultural decimation, and worse,” he said.

The Colonial Brewing Co, now CBCo Brewing, has breweries in Western Australia and Victoria. Picture: Chris Eastman

But after years of publicly defending the brand’s name, CBCo Brewing managing director Lawrence Dowd on Tuesday announced the new name on social media while promoting a new range of beers.

Lawrence Dowd is the managing director of CBCo, pictured at the company’s Port Melbourne brewery. Picture: Aaron Francis

“We’re rebranding after extensive consultation with all of our key stakeholders, our customers and our employees,” he said.

“We’ve decided that we’re going to transition to the new name CBCo Brewing.”

The debate over the name change split the nation.

WA Premier Mark McGowan said in 2020 he believed the controversy was “taking (things) a bit far”. Photo: Matt Jelonek

Even Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan gave his two cents worth on the issue.

“I don’t think it’s necessary but it’s a commercial decision for the company,” Mr McGowan told reporters when asked for his thoughts in 2020.

CBCo Brewing began production in WA’s Margaret River region in 2004 before expanding to a second location at Port Melbourne in 2015.