The Queensland Palaszczuk Government is investing $1.1 million over five years to deliver Australia’s first BrewLab, where Aussie craft brewers can test their products. The site will also be home to Queensland’s first TAFE course in brewing.
BrewLab will be located at the Coopers Plains Health and Food Sciences Precinct and is expected to open in early 2020.
Craft beer production in Queensland is worth around $62 million annually and employs more than 1700 people across the state.
Minister for Manufacturing Cameron Dick said the Queensland BrewLab will give craft brewers the ability to develop and test new beer recipes without interrupting their own production lines.
“Providing craft brewers with state-of-the-art facilities to create new recipes will ensure the local industry continues to grow and more jobs are created for Queenslanders,” he said.
“Craft brewing has the potential to contribute around $100 million to the Queensland economy each year, so we’re investing in the future of these businesses through initiatives like BrewLab to ensure our brewers can keep employing and thriving.”
BrewLab will include a sensory lab and quality assurance services, where brewers can get their beers tasted by an expert panel or focus groups, and get their beer tested for elements such as acidity and alcohol volume.
“This will help brewers identify target markets, potential product improvements and opportunities for new product development,” Dick said.
“Brewers can also get their brewery staff trained in precise identification and tasting of aromas, flavours and tastes.”
TAFE Queensland will also introduce a new course – Certificate III in Food Processing (Brewing) – at the BrewLab site.
Minister for Training and Skills Shannon Fentiman said the new TAFE qualification will offer something for everyone, from first-time brewers to seasoned professionals wanting to improve their skills.
“Queensland is home to a growing number of craft brewers and we want to make sure they can continue to grow and create more local jobs,” said Fentiman.
“This collaboration between TAFE and the BrewLab will mean Queenslanders will be able to access the training they need to fill highly skilled brewing jobs, ensuring businesses can grow their local workforce.”
In October, Gold Coast-based brewery Balter was voted as Australia’s favourite craft beer for the second year in a row.
