Carlton & United has announced the Cascade Brewery will become its craft brewing hub for Asia Pacific.
CUB has received a $1million grant from the Tasmanian government to expand Cascade’s headquarters in South Hobart.
The upgrade, which will cost $10.3million, will include a remodel of the visitor centre facilities, plus a 65% increase in production, with most of CUB’s small batch and craft beer making to move there. It will also brew a number of beers from some of the world’s leading craft brands.
“We are thrilled that Cascade will become CUB’s craft brewing hub for the Asia Pacific region,” said Jan Craps, CEO of CUB. “It is testimony to our long-term confidence in Cascade, Hobart and Tasmania.
“We love Tasmania’s vibrancy and confidence and its world renowned reputation for clean food and drink. We’re also backing our team of experienced brewers at Cascade to take us to the next level. We’re going to build on a heritage that commenced when Cascade first brewed for Tasmanians in 1832.”
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman — whose grandfather was a head brewer at Cascade — said the upgrade would also secure the existing 86 jobs at the brewery while creating 20 more.
“This is very much about securing jobs that could have been lost to our state,” he told The Hobart Mercury.
“There were proposals for other states to have similar things there but we fought hard to make sure through the Office of the Co-Ordinator general that Tasmanian jobs are being protected but also an opportunity to value add at this wonderful brewery.”
“This is a significant investment in something that is classically Tasmanian.”
First female Cascade brewery manager
Work will start on the expansion this year, with newly appointed Cascade Brewery manager Anita Holdsworth (above with Premier Hodgman) being the first woman to be appointed to the role in the brewery’s history.
“Anita brings to the role a dynamic passionate leadership style, perfectly suited to the challenge and the opportunity of growing Cascade as CUB’s craft hub,” Craps said.
Holdsworth started her career working in medical genetics research, then moved into microbiology and chemistry before transitioning to manufacturing. She currently leads a diverse brewing and quality team for CUB in Australia, which includes chemists, microbiologists, packaging and brewing specialists.
“I can’t wait to start on this exciting transformation of Cascade,” Holdsworth said. “We’re going to do great things building on Cascade’s heritage.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to build more partnerships with local Tasmanian companies and connect with local communities. This starts with using even more great, fresh Tasmanian ingredients in our beers and ciders.”
Holdsworth told The Hobart Mercury the upgrade would make Cascade front and centre of CUB’s craft beer push.
“What that means is that we are going to be brewing more unique and small batch beers here in Hobart everyday which may be exported through our breweries and through our part sister businesses in India and South Australia,” she added.
Cascade’s proud Tasmanian heritage
Established in 1824, Cascade Brewery Co is Australia’s oldest operating brewery.
Cascade was founded by English settlers Peter Degraves and his brother-in-law Major McIntosh, who arrived on Tasmania’s shores in 1824. Plans for Cascade Brewery were born during Degraves’ stint in the old Hobart Gaol, serving time for an offence that he had committed prior to emigrating.
Degraves decided the pure waters flowing from Mount Wellington were the perfect base for a great beer. Upon his release from jail in 1831 Degraves set about realising his vision and, in December 1832, the first Cascade Brewery Co. beer was sold.
