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Artist rendition of new Pirate Life brewery
2017 was a big year for the Pirate Life Brewery… Not only were they voted the best craft brewery in Australia, they announced plans to expand their presence with a new brewhouse in Port Adelaide. And all that happened before they dropped the bombshell that they’d sold their entire company to the multinational brewing giant, AB InBev.
Ever since Pirate Life announced their brewery expansion plans, now funded by a $10 million investment from AB InBev, founders Michael and Jack Cameron and Jared Proudfoot have kept its exact location close to their chests, BROADSHEET reports.
But it appears that the South Australian government, who are also contributing $2 million to support Pirate Life’s new operation, have announced the new location, a 19th century woolstores site (their words not ours) in a fast redeveloping neighborhood of historic Port Adelaide.
In a statement Pirate Life’s chief executive John Phinney explained the brewery’s decision…
“Our decision to choose Port Adelaide and expand our business in South Australia was reinforced by the support we received from the state government and displays our confidence in South Australia.
“This project will help us deliver on our goal to continue making the best beers in Australia. We are incredibly excited about getting those beers into the pubs, fridges and hands of our friends all around Australia and the world.”
Expected to open next summer (that’s winter in the states), Pirate Life’s new $15 million facility will be one of the largest craft breweries in South Australia, and in addition to featuring a 300-seat artisan restaurant, it will almost quadruple the brand’s annual production.
Pirate Life’s existing brewery, which is located in Hindmarsh, a suburb northwest of Adelaide, will continue as is for now. But after it gets its own upgrade, will evolve into a more experimental brewing hub that focuses more on research and development, as well as the production of specialty beers.
