Coopers Brewery will spend $50m on new distillery, microbrewery and ‘world-class’ visitor centre
The 160-year-old family company will redevelop its Adelaide site including a whisky distillery, microbrewery, outdoor dining and world-class visitor centre.
Coopers Brewery will invest $50m at its Regency Park site in Adelaide, with plans for a “world-class” visitor centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery revealed on Thursday.
The company, which is celebrating its 160th year in business this year, plans to build a restaurant and bar, and outdoor dining plaza, a dedicated tasting room and a 300sq m interactive history display at the new visitor centre.
A new 3200-litre microbrewery will be built, allowing Coopers’ brewing team to develop more craft-style beers, and it will also supply “wash” for the distillery, which will eventually produce 200,000 bottles per year.
Coopers managing director Dr Tim Cooper said the family-owned company had been thinking about making whisky for some time, and it was a natural extension of the company’s expertise in malting, brewing and fermentation.
“Our goal is to achieve the highest possible level of spirit quality to match our reputation in brewing. Having our own maltings will allow us to tell the whole story from the barley grower to the whisky glass,’’ Dr Cooper said.
Coopers has invested almost $400m at its Regency Park headquarters since 1999, and Dr Cooper said the new investment would celebrate the proud history of the sixth-generation company.
“This is an ambitious project, which will showcase Australian beer to the world,’’ Dr Cooper said.
“We’re very proud of our story over the past 160 years, arising from humble beginnings to prevail as an Australian-owned and operated brewery despite wars, recessions and takeover offers.
“This new visitor centre is about celebrating our history and our originality, with an emphasis on what makes Coopers different.
“We look forward to welcoming local, interstate and international visitors to our brewing home to hear about our past, to learn about the art and science of brewing and to taste our beers.’’
Sixth-generation family members and cousins, Andrew Cooper and Louise Cooper, have been closely involved in the design and planning process of the new centre, which includes designated hospitality and industry areas.
“Coopers beer is enjoyed by drinkers all over the world,” said Andrew, the brewery’s export manager.
“With this new visitor centre we aim to provide another compelling reason for tourists to come to South Australia and enjoy an authentic and immersive beer cellar-door experience.”
Louise Cooper, the company’s strategy development manager, said the proposed development was hoped to be completed in time to welcome its first visitors by Christmas next year.
“As well as appealing to beer aficionados, the visitor centre will offer a welcoming atmosphere for the whole family,’’ she said.
“Both the restaurant and the outdoor plaza will provide the perfect setting to enjoy a meal while taking in the view of the landscaped surrounds,” Louise said.
Construction is expected to begin around mid-2022 pending council approval.
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