south australian Beer As South Australians we should be incredibly proud of the history and craftsmanship that goes into making our beers. We take a look at Coopers and West End, two of South Australia’s most recognised and celebrated products along with a brand that we think deserves to be featured here due to its impact on the South Australian and national market – the McLaren Vale Beer Company.
Coopers: A Happy Accident
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y trying to concoct a tonic to help revitalise his sick wife in 1862, Thomas Cooper instead created the first batch of Coopers beer. From there on, Cooper endeavoured to create a colonial beer that was all-natural and used only the best ingredients of malt and hops, meaning that by 1864 Thomas was bragging to his brother back in Yorkshire that his beer was recommended by doctors to all their patients. Soon even Dr Penfold of the Grange winery, another famous South Australian entrepreneurial settler, was a loyal customer. Since this time, Coopers has continued to be passed on through the generations of Coopers, surviving two World Wars and the Great Depression, eventually expanding so much that they needed to find a new home in 1997, being the current brewery at Regency Park. The brewery is still family run, now under the care of the fifth and sixth generation, taking care of Thomas Cooper’s legacy. Coopers currently make 11 beer varieties, along with a wide-selection of home brews. By using a range of different malt extracts, Coopers are able to create a diverse range of tastes throughout their varieties, meaning there’s a distinct Coopers flavour for all occasions.
Coopers Brewery 461 south road Regency Park SA 5010 8440 1800
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