By James Atkinson
Long-term Coca-Cola Amatil employee Derek O'Donnell heads up the new Australian Beer Company joint venture, which today begins distributing the Alehouse, Pressman’s and Arvo beer and cider brands.
O’Donnell has worked for CCA since 2001 predominately in supply chain and logistics roles. Most recently he was state supply chain manager for Victoria/Tasmania.
CCA’s Australian Beverages boss John Murphy told TheShout O’Donnell’s role is focused on combining CCA’s beverages intellectual property together with Casella’s Griffith brewing facility “so we can get the best of both worlds”. [continues below]
L-R: Australian Beer Company GM Derek O'Donnell with Daniel and John Casella
The on-premise only Alehouse range was developed in consultation with CCA’s customers and includes the full-strength Alehouse Original Pale Draught and mid-strength Alehouse Summer Gold, Murphy said.
“Both are sensational taste products created to offer our customers a trade-up product in those traditional segments where the two larger brewers have tended to have it on their own,” he said.
“We’re coming in with a range of products destined to where the growth is and where the value is in the market,” Murphy said.