HE McLaren Vale Beer Company is proving there’s a lot more to the Vale than just good wine.
The company, which produces Vale Ale, is set to export to Asia in the coming months, move into its own McLaren Vale brewery and release a new cider-based product.
Chief executive Adam Trippe-Smith said Vale Ale now was poured on tap at 25 venues across Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne, having started out at just two in 2008.
“It’s really taking off,” Mr Trippe-Smith said.
“McLaren Vale is such a great region, with the vines and the beaches, it was surprising that it never had any beer.”
He said he had signed a lease for a brewery in Willunga to be named in the coming weeks which he hoped would be up and running in about six months.
“We started out using a contract brewery to make our products because we couldn’t afford to invest in our own.
“When the new brewery is ready we’ll be able to launch our next product.” In December last year, Mr Trippe-Smith bought and renovated the Salopian Inn, on McMurtrie Rd, which he hopes will be the “centrepiece” of the company.
“It’s an icon it just needed a bit of love.
“We’ve got a great beer and a great restaurant coming together as a whole package.”
He said Vale Ale’s two silver medals at the recent Sydney Royal Beer Competition, was a “huge achievement given we’re only 20 months old”.
(thanks to Southern Times Messenger)
www.bellevuebnb.com.au
