Tribe Breweries has announced it is expanding into the international craft beer market.
The company has established a joint venture with Thai partners BB&B to create a new beer brand – Chao Siam.
The nationally distributed beer label has been specifically developed for the local Thai market, including a Wit Bier and an IPA. BB&B is one of the oldest and largest Thai premium alcohol importers and distributors.
Stefan Szpitalak, Head of International Markets and Co-Founder of Tribe Breweries (above) said: “Working with local artisans to create great brews that speak directly to their audience is what Tribe is all about. Branching out of the Australian market with new brands and sharing our craft beer journey throughout South East Asia is an exciting milestone for us.
“I grew up in Thailand and then went on to spread my time equally there and in Australia. I spent years exploring the vast culture, even becoming a monk as a rite of passage. My personal connection to Thailand is very meaningful to me and our company. Seeing this project come to fruition has been a dream of mine ever since we launched Tribe Breweries.”
Tribe and BB&B engaged with local Thai University students to help create the brand, making Chao Siam a truly unique Thai-Australian collaboration.
BB&B’s Pongchalem said: “Chao Siam means ‘Thai People’, and with so many foreign brands in our market place, we are so proud to work on a project that has been created for and with our people.”
Tribe is looking to increase its footprint in key Asian markets and help forge craft beer penetration in the region. It is building a strong export presence, which has grown 500% in the past 12 months. The company currently exports to Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, China and South Korea, with Vietnam and half a dozen additional markets to be online by the end of CY18.
Tribe acquires Wilde Gluten Free
Locally, the company has acquired leading gluten free craft beer brand Wilde Gluten Free.
The founders of Wilde, Chris and Narelle Gordon, developed a gluten free recipe with Tribe’s team. Since then, Tribe has helped the company grow to become one of the top gluten-free beers in Australia.
Tribe has acquired Wilde to elevate the brand’s positioning and presence in the market. The company will continue to make Wilde at the Smeaton Grange facility and hope to grow the distribution of the brand both nationally, through their strong relationships with independents and other retailers, and internationally through its channels and export track to the Asian market.
Narelle and Chris Gordon said of the acquisition: “Tribe’s team has been working with us since the very beginning, so we are thrilled that the team will be continuing our legacy.”
Wilde Gluten Free is the only beer in the world to be certified FODMAP friendly and has collected a number of awards including Silver at Australian International Beer Awards in 2014, and Bronze Medal Winner at Australia’s Craft Beer Awards in 2014.
Szpitalak said: “Tribe is a natural home for Wilde, having been the only place to have ever made it. We have experienced rapid growth and this acquisition reflects our current growth position in the craft beer market.”
