Coopers Brewery plans to invest $50 million in expanding its Regency Park site in Adelaide, including the construction of a new visitor centre, microbrewery, and whisky distillery.
The brewery said its expansion embodies its past, present, and future with tourists front of mind.
A new 3200-litre microbrewery will be installed to allow the brewing team to develop more craft-style beers to supplement its current portfolio. Adjacent to the microbrewery will be a whisky distillery comprising a 9600-litre wash still and a 5500-litre spirit still.
According to the company, ‘Wash’ for the wash still will be supplied by its microbrewery, with the initial objective of producing 200,000 bottles per year. However, consumers will need to wait some years before they can sample the finished product.
“We have been thinking about malt whisky for some time as we see it as a natural extension to our on-site maltings and our experience in brewing and fermentation,” said Dr Tim Cooper, MD at Coopers.
The brewery’s label rondel inspires the curved design of the new two-storey development, and the curved structures encompass a sloping amphitheatre that will showcase the brewery grounds and maltings.
A tree-lined promenade will extend from a new entry from Regency Road to bring visitors to the new facility, which will be surrounded by natural landscaping. A window-lined bridge will link the new development to the existing brewery building and feature a 300sqm interactive history display.
Aside from the microbrewery, the expansion will include:
- A whisky distillery.
- An underground stillage for whisky maturation.
- A dedicated tasting room.
- A restaurant and bar.
- Outdoor plaza dining.
“Although we’ve been running brewery tours since 2006, this extensive development will augment and expand the guest experience, creating a lasting impression for new visitors and an ongoing connection for our loyal consumers with a new tour and tasting experiences,” Cooper added.
Construction is expected to begin around mid this year, pending local council approval.
