In an announcement released to the ASX, Western Australian-based brewery Gage Roads has reported an impressive increase in sales.
“Sales across the portfolio have improved steadily by 93% over the prior year comparative period,” said Gage Roads. “Contract brewing sales supporting Woolworths’ private label strategy have increased by 128% over [the same period].”
The company’s own brands have also enjoyed a boost, buoyed by the growing demand for their Atomic Pale Ale and Sleeping Giant IPA.
Recently, as well as linking up with Two Birds Brewing and launching the new Sail & Anchor line, Gage Roads has also developed it’s own range of single batch products, starting with their recently released Pumpkin Ale. This is to be soon followed up by their second installment, known as The Convict. Timed for an Australia Day release, according to the report it is “a craft-brewed Australian Strong Ale” that is “Gage Roads’ take on the original Australian Pale Ale” and will be available in 640mL bottles as well as on tap at select venues.
The report also outlines an extended agreement with Woolworths that will see the existing partnership continue through to June 2015.
Additionally, the brewery is still in the midst of planned expansions that will see them expand capacity from 1.2 million cartons to 3 million cartons by 2015, reportedly reducing the brewery’s operating costs by 50% per carton. With the project 70% complete, the installation of a new 100hL automated CombiCube B brewhouse is nearing finalisation with final commissioning and test brewing being carried out – it has been a three month process with specialist engineers being flown out from Krones in Germany to supervise the installation.
2013 will mark a new chapter in the brewery with the expansion set to include new filtration, yeast management and cellar equipment.