Coopers Unveils State-of-the-Art Whisky Distillery and Microbrewery

Coopers Brewery has officially opened the doors to its brand-new visitor’s centre, microbrewery, and whisky distillery at Regency Park, South Australia. The $70 million development is a game-changer for the 162-year-old brewery, offering a unique and immersive experience for tourists and beer enthusiasts alike.

Coopers Brewery’s new visitor’s centre

The new facility boasts a restaurant, three bars, and an expansive outdoor plaza, alongside a dedicated tasting room and interactive history displays. For the first time in the company’s history, Coopers will be venturing into the world of whisky production, using malt made on-site and crafted in custom-made cooper whisky stills.

Coopers’ new whisky distillery

The microbrewery will allow Coopers to produce small-batch experimental beers, available exclusively at the visitor’s centre. This new production capability will enable the brewery to be more innovative and experimental in its production, while the existing brewery will continue to operate as normal.

Coopers’ new microbrewery

The visitor’s centre building features a unique curved design inspired by the iconic Coopers roundel label, utilising stainless steel, copper, timber, and concrete elements. The two-storey building has a capacity for 400 people and offers modern restaurant and bar facilities, led by industry hall of famer Peter Morelli.

Coopers’ new restaurant

The Coopers kitchen is led by Head Chef Fabio Castello, whose menu blends the flavours of South American and Mediterranean cuisine with the taste of Coopers premium beers. Highlights include Coopers Original Pale Ale-battered flathead with chips, crumbed veal cutlet, and a selection of burgers, pizzas, and plant-based options.

Coopers’ new menu

Coopers has reintroduced its brewery tours, which incorporate the new facility and an interactive history display, with all proceeds going to the Coopers Foundation. The brewery hopes to attract 100,000 visitors each year and create a lasting impression for new visitors and ongoing connection for its consumers.

Coopers’ new brewery tour

However, the brewery industry is facing challenges due to the recent beer tax hikes. The Federal Government increased excise duty rates for alcohol on beer, with the cost of making a keg of full-strength beer rising from $42.37 to $43.22. Coopers Managing Director Dr Tim Cooper expressed his concerns about the impact of these tax increases on the industry and consumers.

Beer tax hikes

“Indexation is the thing that we really rail against. We think that at roughly 40 per cent of the cost of a carton of beer, the excise is already enough. If you add the GST on top, we’re over 40 per cent of the cost of a carton of beer as tax, and that makes us the third highest in the world, after Finland and Norway,” Dr Cooper said.

Dr Tim Cooper

Coopers is calling for the government to stop the indexation of beer tax and to be happy with the $2.5 billion that they already get from beer drinkers in Australia. The brewery hopes that the government will consider the impact of these tax increases on the industry and consumers and make changes to support the brewing industry.

Coopers Brewery