UK – Lion Brewery Co. is set to invest nearly US$5 million into the XXXX Brewery in Milton, to expand its capabilities that will enable mass production of seltzers and ready-to-drink adult beverages.

To meet changes in consumer demands for beverages, the Milton brewery, an integral part of Lion’s brewing network and a producer of beer brands such as XXXX, Hahn, and James Squire, will now also look to produce most of Lion’s portfolio seltzer brands, including its latest brand White Claw.

XXXX Sales Director Patrick Donohue said: “The beer and alcohol beverages market continues to evolve, as do consumers’ tastes and preferences. We must innovate and set the brewery up for long-term success.”

“Mass production of seltzers and RTD beverages requires bulk ethanol storage, and so we will lodge a development application with Brisbane City Council in the coming weeks to build a new facility on the current site to ensure we’re doing this in the safest way possible.

This investment, according to Donohue, represents a significant investment in the site and builds on our decade-long registration under state planning laws protecting the existing use of the brewery from encroachment from other development, which was extended in 2019.

Donohue further explained that mass production of seltzers and RTD beverages requires bulk ethanol storage that can accommodate about420,000 liters of ethanol on site, so the brewery will lodge a development application with Brisbane’s City Council to build a new facility on the current site to ensure safety.

The nature of Lion’s planned expansion, particularly the hazardous chemicals involved, will require assessment by the council and the state government and will also include community consultation.

Molson Coors speaks out amid fury over National Brewery Centre closure

Meanwhile, brewing giant Molson Coors has offered assurances over the future of the National Brewery Centre, in Horninglow Street, Burton, after announcing it was moving its Carling House headquarters into the brewery center site.

It was revealed just last week that the brewery center will close on October 31, leading to growing concern that the brewery center’s relics will be lost while work is done to bring the Town House and Old Bass House buildings up to scratch.

The Escape Rooms and Heritage Brewery which are based on the brewery center site will close, with the loss of 50 jobs in total, according to reports.

Phil Whitehead, managing director for Western Europe Molson Coors explained that this new head office gives employees a significant amount of office space and parking facilities, and there were limited options available to them in the town.

Liked this article? Subscribe to Food Business Africa News, our regular email newsletters with the latest news insights from Africa and the World’s food and agro industry. SUBSCRIBE HERE.