Bundaberg raises a glass to ginger beer founder

A classic Queensland company is planning a big event to mark its founder’s 80th birthday. SEE THE NEW AD

This is one time when it’s OK for a birthday bash to be a fizzer.

Bundaberg Ginger Beer founder Cliff Fleming will this week celebrate his 80th birthday as the iconic Queensland soft drink manufacturer on Sunday launches a new advertising campaign.

Many Queenslanders would already be familiar with Mr Fleming, who started the business with parents and wife Lee more than 50 years ago, due to his narrator’s gig in the last Bundaberg Ginger Beer ad to hit TV screens where he humbly boasts about “the world’s great Australian brew”.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks is launching a new ad campaign to coincide with the 80th birthday of founder and master brewer Cliff Fleming. Picture: Supplied

Mr Fleming will again take centre stage for the new ad, titled ‘A Brewmaster’s Journey’, which features cinematic footage of the Bundaberg region and brewing process, intimate photos from the family collection and Mr Fleming behind the wheel of his own, original Bundaberg delivery truck.

“A lot has changed since we started out in 1968 but I’m extremely proud our brewery remains a family-owned business and is still based in the region I love so much,” he said.

“There is no Bundaberg Brewed Drinks without Bundaberg and I’m happy to be celebrating my 80 years with my two loves – my family and our business.”

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks founder Cliff Fleming. Picture: Supplied

The iconic beverage business now exports to more than 70 countries and is into its fourth generation of family involvement, employing more than 250 people with sales in excess of $100 million per year.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks CEO John McLean said the business was looking forward to celebrating the founder’s milestone birthday.

“Cliff had a vision for the business that is still very much relevant today and it centres around treating the world to Bundaberg,” he said Mr McLean.

Bundaberg Brewed Drinks has been producing ginger beer for more than five decades. Picture: Supplied.

Originally published as Bundaberg raises a glass to ginger beer founder