By James Atkinson
The rapid growth of Stockade beer, contract beverage manufacturer Brewpack’s own brand, will not be at the expense of the company’s contract customers, assures CEO Anton Szpitalak.
Szpitalak told TheShout that 12 months after its launch, Stockade now has about 50 tap points in Sydney, most of which were previously held by the major brewers.
“The strength of Stockade so far has been to secure the taps that have so far been off limits to anybody but the large industry stalwarts,” he said.
“Those taps are solid. We’re retaining them, and we’re doing great volumes.”
However, Szpitalak said Brewpack’s contract customers can be certain they have access to the necessary capacity to grow their own brands long into the future.
He said the company’s second production facility is expected to be operational in Goulburn, NSW, by the end of 2015 and will ultimately have an annual brewing capacity of 30 million litres or more.
“What we’re trying to be is the largest independent brewery on the east coast,” he said.
“We’re not looking to grow our own brand at the expense of our existing contract business. We’re making the investments in building the facilities to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
“We really want to have enough capacity in the brewery to cater for all the clients who’ve supported us since the very beginning.”
Szpitalak said the new facility will have the ability to do cans as well as PET, should Brewpack decide to enter the boutique soft drink market.
“We’re also looking at a micro-distillery concept to put in there,” he said.
For Stockade, Szpitalak said the priority over the next six to 12 months is grow the brand in packaged format, with distribution now underway to BWS, Liquorland, 1st Choice and Vintage Cellars.
Stockade’s current range comprises a mid-strength American Pale Ale, a Belgian-style Pale Ale and a Lager, with a full-strength Pale Ale and some seasonal beers on the way.