Australia: Asahi to close Green Beacon brewery in Geebun

Asahi Beverages announced last Wednesday to close the Green Beacon brewery in Geebung, north Brisbane in around 10 weeks. Green Beacon was established in early 2013 in the Brisbane suburb of Teneriffe. In 2017 the brewery opened a AUD 3 million production brewery in the northern industrial suburb of Geebung and in the same year was one of three Australian breweries chosen to partner with Singapore Airlines to supply beer in business class. In 2019, the brewery was sold to Asahi Group Holdings at an undisclosed sum (inside.beer, 21.8.2019)

According to the announcement, the closure follows several years of strong growth for Green Beacon and is part of a plan to ensure it continues its strong trajectory by increasing brewing capacity across multiple sites.

Under the plan, Asahi Beverages will invest in Green Beacon’s original site at the brewpub in Teneriffe to add brewing capacity. Most Green Beacon brewing will be transferred to Asahi Beverages’ other Fire & Earth Ventures sites across Australia, including Pirate Life in Port Adelaide and 4 Pines in Brookvale, NSW, where Wayfarer kegs are already produced. These other sites have the capability to manage Green Beacon’s continued growth.

Fire & Earth Ventures is responsible for driving the innovation and growth of Asahi Beverages’ broad range of craft partners. This includes Green Beacon, Mountain Goat, Pirate Life, 4 Pines, Riot! Wine, Balter Brewing Company and Matilda Bay. Fire & Earth is also dedicated to managing brand experiences, including Asahi Beverages’ hospitality venues and merchandise.

The closure of Geebung will result in the loss of three full-time and two casual positions. The remaining Geebung employees will transfer to the Teneriffe brewpub.

Green Beacon GM Richard Shrosbery said: “Geebung has been our home for more than six years and has driven much of our recent success.

“However, we are experiencing significant growth and have now outgrown the site. Today’s announcement means Green Beacon can continue its growth trajectory by unlocking capacity constraints, which will help ensure we continue to get it to lovers of Green Beacon everywhere.

“We will still have a strong presence in Brisbane with the upgraded Green Beacon Brewpub in Teneriffe. And, under the watchful supervision of our chief brewer, all Green Beacon beers will retain their distinct and award-winning flavours.

“The team at Geebung have been tremendous and I am very proud of the contribution they’ve made to Green Beacon’s success.”

Asahi Beverages will provide career transition to employees who are impacted by redundancy. A process is also underway to identify if there are suitable alternative roles within Asahi Beverages.

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