Australia's oldest and largest independent brewer, Coopers Brewery, is venturing into new territory this summer with the launch of its first-ever ginger beer, available on tap at pubs across South Australia and New South Wales.
The South Australian icon describes the move as a bold but considered step, with the new product being positioned as a traditional-style ginger beer brewed with real ginger juice, a malt base, hops and yeast, much like a classic beer.
A New Direction for a Beloved Australian Brand
The decision to add ginger beer to the Coopers lineup has been a long time in the making, and company representative Iain Cooper acknowledged it represents a departure from the brand's usual territory. "It's a little bit out there for us but I think it still is pretty close to the family," he said. "We're very excited to share it with the country and see how it goes."
Despite the unconventional move for a brewer so deeply associated with traditional ale and lager, Coopers has been keen to stress that the product stays true to the company's core brewing philosophy. The ginger beer is being promoted as containing less bitterness and half the sugar of comparable ginger beers currently available on tap, giving it a point of difference in a growing market.
The launch comes as consumer trends shift, with wine and spirit consumption on the rise and brewers increasingly looking to diversify their offerings to capture a broader audience.
Why the Ginger Beer Will Be Brewed in Sydney
One of the more surprising details of the announcement is that the new ginger beer will not be produced at Coopers' famous Regency Park Brewery in Adelaide. Instead, it will be contract-brewed in Sydney, a decision driven by capacity constraints at the South Australian facility.
"During summer we start selling beer faster than we can make it," Cooper explained, adding that contract brewing arrangements are a common and accepted practice across the brewing industry.
When drinkers were asked about the interstate production, reactions were largely relaxed. "I've got nothing wrong with Sydney. It's Australia," one patron said. Another described it as "a good business decision."
Strong Timing as Coopers Nears a Sales Record
The ginger beer launch arrives at a particularly buoyant moment for the brewery, with Coopers reportedly approaching a sales record. Rolling out the new product into SA and NSW pubs first gives the company a chance to gauge consumer response across two of Australia's largest markets before any broader national push.
With summer approaching and Australians increasingly conscious of what they are drinking, products with lower sugar content and natural ingredients are well placed to attract attention. Coopers' entry into the ginger beer space is a timely one, and with its strong brand recognition, the new tap offering is likely to generate significant interest at the bar. For those heading out this summer, it might be worth keeping an eye on sun safety as well as what's in your glass as the warmer months arrive.
