Coopers: a fully integrated model for crafting beer, extracts and single malt whisky from proprietary malted barley
Tracks
Plenary 1
| Wednesday, March 5, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 11:20 AM |
Speaker
Dr Tim Cooper
Managing Director
Coopers Brewery
Coopers: a fully integrated model for crafting beer, extracts and single malt whisky from proprietary malted barley
Abstract
Coopers is a sixth-generation family company, known for brewing naturally conditioned ales and stout. Coopers commenced lager production in 1968, but nearly went bankrupt in the mid-1970s. In a stroke of serendipity, ‘Brewers Own’ home-brew was launched in 1977, becoming the saviour of the company.
Cans of home-brew concentrate were introduced in 1985 following the purchase of an evaporation plant. Over 4000 tonnes of concentrate are produced annually, inclusive of unhopped malt extract sold to food manufacturers.
Following relocation to its new brewery in Regency Park in 2001, Coopers started an interstate sales and distribution business. Sales grew quickly to reach 80 million litres by 2016, nearly 5% of the national beer volume.
Coopers completed commissioning of a 60,000 MT maltings at Regency Park in 2018. Around 40,000 MT of malt are sold each year to brewers and distillers domestically and in Asia.
In late 2022, construction commenced on a new visitor centre, inclusive of a single malt whisky distillery. Whisky is viewed as a natural extension to Coopers’ expertise in malting, brewing and fermentation.
Opened in August 2024, the facility incorporates restaurants and bars, a tasting room, an interpretative display, a microbrewery and distillery, and an underground stillage for maturation.
The microbrewery is prominently displayed and allows for new product development as well as creation of wash for the distillery.
The final cost of this visitor centre grew to $70 million, bringing Coopers’ total investment at Regency Park to over $400 million since 1999.
Cans of home-brew concentrate were introduced in 1985 following the purchase of an evaporation plant. Over 4000 tonnes of concentrate are produced annually, inclusive of unhopped malt extract sold to food manufacturers.
Following relocation to its new brewery in Regency Park in 2001, Coopers started an interstate sales and distribution business. Sales grew quickly to reach 80 million litres by 2016, nearly 5% of the national beer volume.
Coopers completed commissioning of a 60,000 MT maltings at Regency Park in 2018. Around 40,000 MT of malt are sold each year to brewers and distillers domestically and in Asia.
In late 2022, construction commenced on a new visitor centre, inclusive of a single malt whisky distillery. Whisky is viewed as a natural extension to Coopers’ expertise in malting, brewing and fermentation.
Opened in August 2024, the facility incorporates restaurants and bars, a tasting room, an interpretative display, a microbrewery and distillery, and an underground stillage for maturation.
The microbrewery is prominently displayed and allows for new product development as well as creation of wash for the distillery.
The final cost of this visitor centre grew to $70 million, bringing Coopers’ total investment at Regency Park to over $400 million since 1999.
Biography
A fifth-generation brewer, Tim Cooper began professional life as a doctor after graduating in 1980 (MBBS, Adelaide). He practised hospital medicine, mostly in the UK, and completed a doctorate in 1990 (MD, Bristol). Tim also studied Brewing Science (MSc, Birmingham) before joining the family company in 1990.
After starting in the brewery as Technical Manager, Tim became responsible for Operations in 1993, and as Operations Director in 1997. From 1999, he oversaw the development of the new Coopers Brewery at Regency Park. He became Managing Director in 2002.
Within the Institute of Brewing & Distilling, Tim has held the positions of President (2018-19) and Chair of the Asia Pacific Section (2001-03).
Tim was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2008 for service to the brewing industry, particularly through environmentally sustainable production and manufacturing practices, to professional organisations, and to the community.
