Build Me A Brewery

In this episode, I chat with Bryant Soorkia from Ready Set China who represents and imports a number of famous Australian beer brands into mainland China.

Not a topic I thought I would cover, especially for those just starting their brewery building journey, but the opportunity to chat with Bryant presented itself and I am glad I did so. As craft is growing in Australia, so too an infant craft beer scene is picking up momentum in the largest economy in the world, China. Born and bred in Melbourne, Bryant has spent many years over in China. He is currently the North China Regional Sales Manager of 31Jiu, a beverage importer and distributor, and he also his own marketing consulting business Ready Set China which helps businesses outside of mainland China break into the market helping them with brand representation in a vastly differing consumer culture.

In our chat we discuss the potential opportunities for Australian Craft beer brands to tap into the Chinese craft beer market, what the import regulations and conditions into mainland China are, the business & consumer culture differences between that of China and the Western world and finally some important infrastructure aspects a brewery should have in place before considering sending their beer overseas.

EPISODE LINKS:
Ready Set China
31Jiu Website
Australian Gov Free Trade Agreement Portal
China HS Codes
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In today’s episode I chat with Julian Sanders from Spark Breweries & Distilleries based in Melbourne, VIC. Spark started providing services to the brewery industry back in 2014 who primarily provide systems from 5HL right up to the production scale 80HL brewhouses.

Having a background in Engineering and Commerce Julian honed in on his craft and vision for what has become the modern day Spark business by spending time over in the UK absorbing their real ale culture while doing some practical engineering by day. He then found his way back to Oz, studying everything craft beer. He soon became a beer judge and helped at various beer events so it was only natural that he combine his two passions to become a brewery and distillery design engineer.

Spark started making a bit of noise in both the Australian market and international ones after developing a snug, low foot print, 2 vessel stackable brewhouse system called the SPARK K500 which earnt Julian and his team an international patent for which has become a hit to the brewpubs of this world supplying 5 & 10HL systems in this compact model to nano breweries for pubs, clubs, cafes and even seriously keen homebrewers with big garages.

Julian provides some great insights on what brewery model concepts that neatly tie into the decisions you can then make on the types of systems and equipment you should be looking for. Having been involved in over 40 brewery installs in his career in the industry, Julian is very well placed to provide aspiring brewery owners advice and perspectives on what to consider when purchasing equipment for their brewery.
EPISODE LINKS:
Spark Breweries & Distilleries Website
Visit us at www.buildmeabrewery.com.au and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when episodes launch plus exclusive Brewery Building Content.
Also like and follow us on Facebook
Build Me A Brewery Facebook Page
Build Me A Brewery Discussion Group

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Part 2 of our 3 episode segment on Brewery Licensing & Government Compliance. Today’s episode I chat with Russel Steele from RSA Liquor Professionals. Russell has many years’ experience working both sides of the Liquor & Hospitality industry, with 9 years working as a State Licensing regulator and 10 years working in and managing licensed premises in QLD and Northern Territory.

In our chat, Russell outlines and explains in much detail all the different licensing types for producing and selling beer, how he helps brewery owners navigate the confusing and highly regulated environment of liquor licensing as well as discussing important considerations around different types of permits for brewery owners depending on what type of brewery they want to be including thoughts around serving food and having live music at your venue.

EPISODE LINKS:
https://www.rsapro.com.au/
Types of Excise Licences
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In today’s episode, I sit down with Head Brewer Dan Shaw from the Australian Brewery out in Rouse Hill, Sydney’s North West.

Dan joined the Australian back in 2017, learning and succeeding from well-known figure in the industry Neal Cameron who was involved in the initial set up and commissioning of the brewery.

Dan’s roots to the brewing industry came from working in the retail and hospitality industry, working for the Colossimo family running their busy Hillside pub, and also working in management roles within Dan Murphy’s.

The Australian Brewery has been brewing in Sydney’s Hills district since 2010. With champion trophies and over 15 gold medals won since 2016 AB.

We dive into once again the intricacies of gypsy and contract brewing, as well as equipment sourcing and tips and hints on developing a core beer range for new breweries.
EPISODE LINKS:
https://www.australianbrewery.com
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We continue with the Meet The Brewer Series, where I sit down with Co-Founders and Head Brewers from 6 Sydney breweries, to get their stories, insights and advice.

In today’s episode, I sit down with Managing Director Simon Osborn and Head Brewer Addy Fitter from Rocks Brewing Company out in Alexandria.

This was such a great and informative chat with both of these blokes, who have years and years of collective experience in the brewing industry. After starting out bouncing around gypsy and contract brewing enabling them to build a solid brand, they eventually invested in stainless steel which gave birth to the Rocks Brewing Co in 2013.

Both guests clearly know their stuff, dropping gems of information left right and centre on what not to do when starting out and commonly overlooked aspects of when planning your brewery. We also heavily dive into the world of gypsy and contract brewing, which is another great model to consider when starting out. Get your note pad ready and have a quick finger on the pause and rewind button as there is too much info in this episode to digest in one sitting.
EPISODE LINKS:
www.rocksbrewing.com.
Visit us at www.buildmeabrewery.com.au and sign up to our mailing list to be the first to know when episodes launch plus exclusive Brewery Building Content.
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