Bredhauer family buys iconic Townsville Brewery business

The award-winning drinking hole, restaurant and function centre has new owners with the sale of the business and its heritage property.

• The Brewery adds a distillery to produce unique NQ flavours
• Brewery fires up the beer boilers after a 10 week coronavirus hiatus

Award-winning microbrewery, restaurant and function centre The Townsville Brewery has new owners with the sale of the business and its heritage property to the Bredhauer family.

The Bredhauers took over ownership of the prominent CBD business on Monday.

Kim Bredhauer, his wife Lydia and their sons Tristan and Philip are co-owners, while the sons will run the operation.

Kim Bredhauer is the chairman of privately owned Australian international development company the Palladium Group which employs more than 3000 people in 90 countries, while Lydia founded mastectomy swimwear brand Jamu Australia.

Kim Bredhauer and Lydia Leong have purchased the Townsville Brewery. (back) Tristan Bredhauer will be the new Manager. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Bredhauer said they felt lucky to acquire such an iconic business and wanted to continue its legacy of producing some of the best craft beers — and soon spirits — in Australia.

“We are keen to develop the business and fit into the community and help Townsville reinvigorate the city,” Mr Bredhauer said.

“The hotel is an iconic building which I’m fantastically happy to be able to have. It should be a central, go-to place in the city and we can help bring more life into the city.”

Mr Bredhauer said all staff would be retained. They are busy planning the next Oktoberfest on October 4.

“Initially, we just want to understand what’s happening, get to know Townsville and the businesses around the place. We will want to make some changes and see how we can develop the business.”

Tristan Bredhauer will be the new brewery manager. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Mr Bredhauer’s sons, Tristan and Philip, will run the business although COVID-19 travel restrictions means Philip is not expected to come to Townsville until next month.

Tristan is a diesel fitter who has worked in supply logistics for a crane company in Brisbane, while Philip works as a supervisor for a pile driving company in Sydney.

Tristan said he was excited to have the opportunity to be a co-owner and work in hospitality.

He already has interests in smoking meats and brewing.

“Townsville seems like a great place. (Former owner) Carey (Ramm) has done a great job. It’s up to us to take it to the next level. I’ve always been a people person. I think I will take to it well,” Tristan said.

Tristan Bredhauer will be the new manager of the Townsville Brewery, pictured with brewer Jordan Dahl. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The Brewery was sold in an offmarket deal through Michael Quinlan of Quinlan Property Group and Christian Tsalikis of Savills Qld Hotels. While a price was not revealed, it is confirmed to have been a multimillion-dollar transaction.

The building, the 144-year-old former Townsville post office, was bought from Australia Post by Carey Ramm at auction for $800,000 in 2001 and converted into a microbrewery, restaurant and function centre.

It is one of the city’s most popular pubs, producing its own award-winning lagers, pale ales and its premium Townsville Bitter.

Earlier this year a fully integrated distillery, imported from Germany, was installed to produce gin, vodka, rum and whiskey which will soon be bottled and distributed under a new brand called The Rebel Spirit Company.

Mr Ramm, an economist who founded the AEC Group and has extensive business interests in health supplements, pet food, biofuels, aquaculture, hospitality and construction, much of it in Asia, said he was proud of what had been achieved at The Brewery.

“We have produced some great beers and I look forward to the Bredhauers taking it on to even bigger levels,” Mr Ramm said.

Originally published as Bredhauer family buys iconic Townsville Brewery business