Haunted? maybe…

Tasmania, an isolated island state off Australia’s south coast, is known for its vast, rugged wilderness areas, largely protected within parks and reserves. Hobart is its capital city and home to the Cascade Brewery a heritage brewer which dates back to 1824 and is getting a major upgrade, thanks to AB InBev funding.

Carlton & United Breweries (CUB), the owners of Hobart’s Cascade Brewery, have announced that they’ll be funding an AU$10.3 million upgrade which will enable the island state brewery to increase its production by 65%.

And since CUB is now owned Anheuser-Busch In Bev, who recently purchased Australia’s most popular craft brewery, Pirate Life, we know the who and the possible why behind this MAJOR upgrade…

Carlton & United (vintage playng cards image)

According to the Drinks Business, this renovation will allow CUB to produce experimental beers for their Australian and Asia Pacific regions,” and help take CUB (and by default AB InBev) a step closer to “its goal of becoming a hub for the Asia Pacific region, and one of Australia’s leading craft breweries.”

The facility will also brew a number of beers from some of the world’s leading craft brands (and we can only assume that one of those craft brands will be the now AB InBev-owned Pirate Life).

“We are thrilled that Cascade will become CUB’s craft brewing hub for the Asia Pacific region. It is testimony to our long-term confidence in Cascade, Hobart and Tasmania”, said the unfortunately named Jan Craps, CUB’s CEO…

The Cascade Brewery expansion is also expected to add 20 jobs to an existing roster of 86 that will be overseen by the Anita Holdworth, Cascade’s first female brewery manager.

“Anita brings to the role a dynamic passionate leadership style, perfectly suited to the challenge and the opportunity of growing Cascade as CUB’s craft hub”, added the regrettably named Craps.

CUB’s leading brands include Pure Blonde lager (known for the famous dead lizard incident) and Carlton Draught.

Carlton & United Breweries also produces global brands including Corona, Goose Island and Melbourne Bitter and any of those brands might find themselves being produced in Tasmania, once the Cascade Brewery upgrade is completed.