Former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke has launched Hawke’s Brewing Co., a beer brand in partnership with environmental not-for-profit, Landcare Australia.
Landcare Australia is dedicated to managing environmental issues in local communities. Hawke has been committed to Landcare’s causes for quite some time, calling on Australians to unite with the government in tackling the natural resource conservation crisis back in 1989.
Hawke has chosen not to receive any financial benefit from the Hawke’s Brewing Co. Instead, a percentage of the company’s beer sales will support Landcare’s rural initiatives across the country.
Hawke said, “I hope the efforts of this company will not only bring good friends together over a cold beer but also help raise awareness of the great work done by Landcare.”
Landcare Australia CEO Tessa Jakszewicz added, “We’re delighted to form this partnership with Hawke’s Brewing Co. to help raise funds to support community groups working across the country to protect the health of our land. Mr Hawke played an important role in the establishment of Landcare nationally almost 30 years ago and it’s really great to see his continued support of the movement today.”
The company was founded by Nathan Lennon and David Gibson, with the idea of creating a beer brand around Hawke and his community-centric values.
Lennon explained, “Dave and I were chatting about who, given the chance, we’d most like to have a beer with. We both said Bob Hawke. Our conversation drifted to what a beer brand with Bob Hawke might look like, which for us was all about recognising the kind-hearted, generous and community-centric values Mr Hawke embodies and then building a brand around that, and of course ensuring a great quality product was there to support the strength of that brand.”
They pair teamed up with Luke Langton, now Partner, Director & National Sales Manager of Hawke’s Brewing Co., and met with Hawke to pitch the idea. Hawke was especially impressed with the brand’s ethos of “giving back” and agreed on the condition that the company get involved with Landcare Australia.
The company’s first beer, Hawke’s Lager, is now rolling out across select Sydney venues. Justin Fox, former head brewer at Colonial Brewing Co., is at the helm of brewing, with production operating out of Port Melbourne using all Australian ingredients.
On joining the team, Fox said, “There’s never been a more exciting time for the beer industry in Australia, with so many local breweries offering beer drinkers a higher level of quality and choice. I’m excited to be a part of the Hawke’s Brewing Co. journey, as we work together to bring even more choice to the market, especially as we expand the range beyond the lager. I would have been satisfied just meeting Bob Hawke but to be brewing beer for him is a dream come true.”
Hawke’s Lager is now available on tap at the following Sydney and Newcastle venues and will be available in can format from 25 April 2017.
– The Australian Heritage Hotel, The Rocks
– The Clock Hotel, Surry Hills
– The Clovelly Hotel, Clovelly
– The Courthouse Hotel, Newtown
– Greenroof, Newcastle
– The Kirribilli Hotel, Milson’s Point
– The Lord Dudley, Paddington
– The New Brighton Hotel, Manly
– The Prince, Kirrawee
– Public House, Petersham
– The Sackville Hotel, Balmain
