By James Atkinson
Gage Roads says it is on the way to becoming the country's leading contract brewer, having signed new brewing deals with McLaren Vale Beer Company, San Miguel Packaging Corporation and Duckstein.
Adding to its existing contracts with Matso's and Two Birds Brewing, Gage Roads yesterday announced it will start production of packaged product for McLaren Vale Beer Company in March.
MVBeer general manager of operations, brand and hospitality, Josh Stuart stressed to TheShout that MVBeer will continue to produce all kegged product at its own brewery in Willunga, South Australia.
"Gage have demonstrated their craft brewing credentials; most recently winning Ale Packaged Trophy in Royal Perth Beer Show. The possibilities of new packaging variants at Gage are significant," he said.
"Willunga Brewery continues to set new volume records with our keg production each month and will continue to do so for a long time to come."
Gage Roads last week announced it will soon start production of two new products for San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation that are predominantly destined for the export market. San Miguel Packaging Corporation is a joint venture between San Miguel Corporation, Southeast Asia's largest food and beverage packaging company based in the Philippines, and Nihon Yamamura Glass Company Ltd of Japan.
Gage Roads said it had also successfully completed the first production run of Duckstein Brewery Margaret River's 'First Batch Pilsner' in 500ml bottle format.
The WA contract brewer said its capital expansion program, which is designed to expand production capabilities to 3 million cartons per annum by the end of the 2015 financial year, is providing it with the opportunity to enter new markets and attract new contract brewing customers.
"We welcome these new customers as part of the company's strategy to fulfil our expanding production capacity and to position Gage Roads as the leading contract craft brewery in Australia," it said.