Coopers Brewery to create new visitor experience in Adelaide

Adelaide-based Coopers Brewery will invest $50 million in the construction of a new world-class visitor centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery at its Regency Park site.

In its 160th year, Coopers has unveiled plans of an exciting expansion that embodies the past, present and future of Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery with domestic and international tourists front of mind.

The expansion will include a restaurant and bar, outdoor plaza dining, dedicated tasting room, interactive history display, microbrewery, a whisky distillery and an underground stillage for whisky maturation.

Explaining that it was opportune to be making this announcement in the 160th year of the sixth-generation family company, Coopers Managing Director, Dr Tim Cooper stated “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.

“Although we’ve been running brewery tours since 2006, this extensive development will augment and expand the guest experience, creating a lasting impression for new visitors and an ongoing connection for our loyal consumers with new tour and tasting experiences.”

The development will bring the company’s total investment at its Regency Park base to nearly $400 million since 1999.

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.

She added “as well as appealing to beer aficionados, the visitor centre will offer a welcoming atmosphere for the whole family. Both the restaurant and the outdoor plaza will provide the perfect setting to enjoy a meal while taking in the view of the landscaped surrounds.”

Image: The concept for the new visitor centre.