Keeping it in the family: Coopers welcomes sixth-generation brewer

Returning home from Copenhagen last month, Iain Cooper will take up the position of Technical Brewer at Coopers, Australia's largest family-owned brewery.

For the past three and a half years, Cooper has honed his craft at partner brewery Carlsberg in Copenhagen, focusing on malt research and refining his brewing skills.

Starting at Coopers' Regency Park brewery last month, Cooper said it's good to be home and brewing in the familiar South Australian brewery again.

"It's great to be back in Australia working alongside such familiar faces.The brewery has been such a big part of my life from as long as I can remember," he said.

Before joining the family business, Cooper initially studied media and economics at the University of NSW but realised in time that his true calling was brewing.

"I had always enjoyed experimenting with home-brews and wanted to develop my skills and knowledge.

"Any family member keen to join the brewery is strongly encouraged to first earn their stripes outside the business. So, I headed overseas to do just that," said Cooper.

His travels took him to Edinburgh, where he worked at different breweries while studying for a Master of Science in Brewing and Distilling.

"I then moved to Copenhagen, where I became immersed in the science and technical aspects of brewing, and managed a pilot malting plant.

"It's been a steep learning curve and I'm now looking forward to contributing to the family business alongside our world-class brewing team," he said.

With a unique pedigree, Iain is the latest sixth-generation family member to join Coopers Brewery.

His cousin Andrew Cooper, son of company Chairman Glenn Cooper, is the brewery's Export Beer Manager, while his sister Louise Cooper is the brewery's Strategic Development Manager.

Dr Tim Cooper, Iain's father, Cooper's Managing Director and Chief Brewer, said he was proud to see his son continuing the strong family brewing tradition.

"Iain has developed his own unique style and approach to brewing and demonstrated a real commitment to the craft.

"It's great to see Iain now join Louise and Andrew as sixth-generation family members here at Coopers, which all bodes well for the long-term future of our company," said Dr Cooper.

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