Coopers to diversify into whisky

After making beer for 160 years, Coopers is moving beyond brewing and entering the whisky market.

As a part of its plan to overhaul its Regency Park site, Coopers intends position a whisky distillery next to its new 3200L microbrewery. The distillery will house a 9600L wash still and a 5500L spirit still with wash to be supplied by the microbrewery.

Initially Coopers intends to produce 200,000 bottles per year with news yet to come on when the first bottles will be laid down.

“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,” Dr Cooper said.

“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.”

Coopers has invested $400m on site since 1999 and the latest $50m redevelopment will include:

• Restaurant and bar
• Outdoor plaza dining
• Dedicated tasting room 
• Interactive history display
• Microbrewery
• Whisky distillery
• Underground stillage for whisky maturation

The unique curved design of the new two-storey development has been inspired by the iconic Coopers’ label rondel – the curved structures encompass a sloping amphitheatre which 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 and a window-lined bridge will link the new development to the existing brewery building.

Coopers Managing Director Dr Tim Cooper said, "This is an ambitious project which will showcase Australian beer to the world. 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.

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. Construction is expected to begin around mid-2022 pending Council approval.

It is the second major capital expenditure announcement by Coopers in four months. Back in November, Coopers revealed plans for a $15 million 5500 square metre expansion to its warehousing facilities at Regency Park. The expansion will boost beer storage capacity at the brewery by almost 50 per cent, allowing Coopers to store all its product on site, as currently some is stored off-site.