CBCo Brewing
Award-winning microbrewery in Western Australia's Margaret River region.
CBCo Brewing, originally called Colonial Brewing Co, is a microbrewery in Western Australia’s Bramley Brook Valley, about 8 km northeast of Margaret River. The brewery sits on 30 hectares and makes a lineup of beers, some of which have won awards and are sold both in Australia and overseas.
Ross Smith founded the brewery in 2004, with Steve Plowman as head brewer. At the time, it was one of only three breweries in the Margaret River area. In late 2006, a group of investment bankers called the Empire Beer Group bought the brewery for $15 million (AUS). They then arranged a $30 million (AUS) public float to fund plans for a second, larger brewing and packaging facility in Fremantle. In July 2007, the Empire Beer Group instead bought the Royal Bar and Brasserie in East Perth for $3.5 million (AUS), a move that differed from the company’s prospectus, which had outlined a second pub in Fremantle. In August 2008, the Empire Beer Group agreed to sell both the Royal on the Waterfront and CBCo Brewing to the CLG for $4.5 million (AUS). The CLG was owned by Chris Morris, the founder of Computershare.
In 2008, Mal Secourable became head brewer at CBCo Brewing, replacing Dean McLeod. Secourable had previously been head brewer at Matso’s in Broome and a brewer at Fremantle’s Sail and Anchor Hotel. McLeod had worked at the Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel and Malt Shovel Brewery. In 2009, CBCo Draught won Best Ale Draught, Best Commercial Beer, and the Premier’s Trophy for Best Western Australian Beer at the Cryer Malt Perth Royal Show. In March 2013, Secourable left, and Justin Fox—who had worked at Swan Brewery and The Generous Squire Brewpub—took over.
The regular beer range includes CBCo Middy (3.5% alc/vol), a 100-calorie lager; CBCo South West Sour Tropical (4.6% alc/vol), a dry-hopped kettle sour; CBCo South West Sour Watermelon and Raspberry (4.0% alc/vol), a fruit-infused kettle sour; CBCo Draught (4.8% alc/vol), a German-style Kölsch; CBCo Pale Ale (4.4% alc/vol), a German-style Altbier; CBCo India Pale Ale (6.5% alc/vol); and CBCo Porter (5.6% alc/vol).
Quick Facts
- Hq Location
- Osmington Road, Margaret River, Western Australia
- Owner
- CLG
- Founded
- 2004
- Industry
- Alcoholic beverage
- Products
- Beer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The brewery was established in 2004 by Ross Smith, with head brewer Steve Plowman, and was one of only three breweries in the Margaret River area. In late 2006, it was purchased by the Empire Beer Group for $15M (AUS), who then arranged a $30M (AUS) public float to fund plans for a larger facility in Fremantle. In July 2007, the group purchased the Royal Bar and Brasserie in East Perth for $3.5M (AUS), a departure from the prospectus. In August 2008, the Empire Beer Group sold 'The Royal on the Waterfront' and CBCo Brewing to the CLG for $4.5M (AUS), a company owned by Chris Morris, founder of Computershare.
In 2008, Mal Secourable became head brewer, replacing Dean McLeod. In 2009, CBCo Draught won 'Best Ale Draught', 'Best Commercial Beer', and the Premier's Trophy for 'Best Western Australian Beer' at the Cryer Malt Perth Royal Show. In March 2013, Secourable left and was replaced by Justin Fox. The brewery produces a range of regular beers including a 100-calorie lager, kettle sours, a German-style Kölsch, an Altbier, an IPA, and a porter, as well as special limited releases such as Colonial Mumme, Colonial Keutebier, Baltic Porter, Colonial Kotbusser, and Colonial Brewing Dampfbier.
Reader's Guide
CBCo Brewing's significance lies in its early establishment as one of only three breweries in the Margaret River area in 2004, and its rapid rise to national and international recognition. It was awarded 'Champion Small Brewery' at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2006, and the following year won both 'Champion Australian Brewery' and 'Champion International Small Brewery'. In 2012, it was named joint winner of 'Best Boutique Brewery' by the Australian Hotels Association (Western Australia), alongside Cheeky Monkey Brewery. The brewery's ownership changed multiple times, passing from founder Ross Smith to the Empire Beer Group, then to CLG, owned by Chris Morris. Its head brewers have included Steve Plowman, Dean McLeod, Mal Secourable, and Justin Fox, each bringing experience from other notable Australian breweries. The brewery's product line includes both regular and limited-edition beers, with the CBCo Draught earning multiple awards in 2009. Its beers are sold on both domestic and international markets.
Did You Know?
- CBCo Brewing was originally named Colonial Brewing Co.
- The brewery is set on 30 hectares in the Bramley Brook Valley.
- CBCo Draught won the Premier's Trophy for 'Best Western Australian Beer' in 2009.
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