An ambitious expansion program by partner brewer Tribe Breweries will see the opening of Australia's most sophisticated craft beverage facility in September, and create one of the largest independent craft brewers in the Australasian region.
As the craft beverage trend continues to gather steam, a NSW contract brewer is seeing exponential growth in both its partner brewing and branded businesses, Brewpack Pty Ltd (Brewpack) and Stockade Brew Co (Stockade), both of which are now operating under the newly formed Tribe Breweries Pty Ltd (Tribe) umbrella following a restructure of the expanding business.
Brewpack was founded in 2015 as a contract brewing concern, while Stockade (owned and produced by Brewpack, now Tribe) has become one of the fastest growing independent craft beers in Australia and the recipient of multiple awards and accolades, including GABS People’s Choice Award in 2017. Stockade’s portfolio includes a growing stable of core beers, such as 8Bit IPA and Hop Splicer XPA, that are supplemented by limited release offerings.
As part of the growth strategy for the business, Tribe Breweries has embarked on an ambitious expansion program that will see a new $35m brownfield brewing and packaging facility in Goulburn come on stream in September.
Slated to be the largest and most sophisticated craft beverage facility of its kind in Australia, the new plant will include the latest brewing technology from Rolec and a flexible can and bottling line solution from Krones that the company says is “best in class, utilising leading-edge technology”.
PKN spoke to Anton Szpitalak, co-founder and CEO of Tribe Breweries, who says that the corporate rebrand was driven by the fast growth in the market [the number of craft breweries is growing at 24% per annum since FY 2013] and the opportunities he and his business partners (his three brothers) see for the company – both for their own branded products and its contract partners.
“We are home to 35 different breweries, which we produce for in our existing facilities,” he said.
With growth is this sector pegged to escalate, Szpitalak says the newly formed Tribe Breweries' mission is to grow the independent craft sector and share the craft journey in Australia through collaborations with a variety of artisans in both partner and proprietary labels.
“We are all about uniting to inspire and excite consumers about premium craft products globally,” he said.
Over the last three years the business has grown its production volumes on average by over 50 per cent per year.
Szpitalak says the company's current facility at Smeaton Grange has grown in capacity to well over one million cartons of production annually, and has undergone constant upgrades and modernisation programs in a bid to remain flexible and innovative to meet its partners' requirements.
With Smeaton Grange at capacity, Tribe has now embarked on an ambitious expansion program into a new facility in Goulburn. This $35 million project, will see Tribe increase production capacity to over 30 million litres p.a. (approximately 3.5m cartons annual production) with eventual potential for over 70 million litres p.a. (approximately 9m cartons annual capacity).
According to Szpitalak, the facility will boast best in class brewing and packaging technology in cans, bottles and kegs.
“We at Tribe see this facility as an important investment in independent beer in Australia as it gives successful craft beer brand owners an alternative growth option through partner brewing,” he says.
Under the new umbrella, Tribe will also continue to grow its portfolio of craft products through its newly expanded production into premium cider, RTDs and boutique non-alcoholic beverages as well as enhancing the breadth of offering through its Marrickville barrel room, launching in late April. This site will become the face and destination for Stockade customers to enjoy the distinctive range of craft beers, as well as experience tours and tastings. This site will focus on next-generation beer styles, such as oak aged beers and fermented sours, making them the largest brewer of these beer styles in Australia.
Szpitalak adds: “With three brewing facilities [Marickville, Smeaton Grange and Goulbourn] slated for operation by September 2018, Tribe is establishing itself as one of the largest and most successful independent craft brewers in the Australasian region.”
