Copperlode Brewery and Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust launch new beer

A Far Northern social enterprise has partnered with a Cairns brewery to launch its latest product towards fulfilling its mission of “profits for purpose.”

The Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust and Cairns' Copperlode Brewing Co have partnered to create a new alcoholic ginger beer. Picture: Tanya Snelling

A self-funded Far Northern social enterprise has partnered with a Cairns brewery to launch its latest product towards fulfilling its mission of “profits for purpose.”

The Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust has teamed up with southern Cairns brewery Copperlode to produce an “authentic” Australian ginger beer labelled Gingeroo, featuring a red kangaroo as the face of its branding.

GREAT chief executive Brian Arnold said the vision came about following a chance conversation while out shooting with Copperlode Brewing head brewer Morgan Hind.

“We got talking because Morgan told me they were looking at doing a new ginger beer, and we realised there was an opportunity to create something with Australian flora and fauna,” Mr Arnold said.

The Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust and Cairns' Copperlode Brewing Co have partnered to create a new alcoholic ginger beer. GREAT chairman Fred Pascoe and Copperlode head brewer Morgan Hind. Picture: Tanya Snelling

“We know Australians love their animals, but our vision is global, and we can see the appeal of this on the international market, especially as it’s featuring the iconic kangaroo.”

Mr Arnold said the product co-owned by Copperlode and GREAT would be available at the Bentley Park brewery and the board would next week begin discussions on targeting retailers.

“We’re a social enterprise and we’re there to make money – profit for purpose we call it.

“We generate the funds to help invest in the Gulf and in Indigenous communities with things like essential businesses, we offer loans and grants so members of the community can start their own businesses.

The Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust and Cairns' Copperlode Brewing Co have partnered to create a new alcoholic ginger beer. Picture: Tanya Snelling

“Basically we don’t have to pander the government to build wealth in these communities so products like Gingeroo are an opportunity for us to raise funds.”

Copperlode’s Mr Hind said unlike “pre-mixed, soft drink-like” ginger beers, Gingeroo was an “authentic” old-school product.

“So using a malt base and brewing it like a beer, obviously, with a heap of ginger in it as well.”

Originally published as Copperlode Brewery and Gulf Regional Economic Aboriginal Trust launch new beer