Hub unveils grand plan

BREWERY pubs are adding fizz to the Gold Coast craft beer market as the small businesses bypass liquor stores to sell direct to thirsty customers.

Australia’s craft beer industry has surged, lifting market share from 3.1 per cent in 2015 to 4.6 per cent in 2016.

That growth is replicated on the Gold and Tweed Coasts where the number of craft breweries has increased fourfold – from two to eight in the past decade.

Adding food to the mix is proving a winner.

A local company competing against the big boys is Mt Tamborine’s Beard and Brau, which last year opened its own restaurant – Malty Grain in Windaroo.

Australian Craft Beer Industry Association executive officer Chris McNamara said brewery pubs were driving the local market.

“There is definitely heaps of growth left in the Gold Coast market,” he said.

Mr McNamara said there was fierce competition for shelf space at outlets like Dan Murphy’s and small be a hub for information technology and a centre for innovation. “That is now about to become reality,” he said.

Mr Maher describes the Gold Coast Hub as “a physical and virtual space for the Gold Coast’s future and present business leaders to connect, commercialise and grow innovative companies”.

Hub CEO and Opmantek general manager Sharon Hunneybell said there were ambitious plans.

“We want success. We want the Gold Coast to be one of the top 10 most innovative centres in the world,” she said. “We want the world to know that if you’ve got a great idea, the Gold Coast is the place to go.

“It’s a big goal but we believe we have the people and the interest to make it happen.” breweries had to find other outlets. “There are lots of people competing in that wholesale space but if you can create a good venue then you can sell direct to the customer,” he said.

Beard and Brau’s Chris Herring and Tanya Harlow moved from South Australia in 2012 to set up a farmhouse-style brewery in the foothills of Mt Tamborine.

It focuses on brewing premium beers such as Bon Chiens, a French farmhouse ale, and last year opened Malty Grain to create awareness for its brand and sell straight to punters.

The Hub will have a centrally located “physical” space, a network of outreach locations, and an online presence.

Locations in Burleigh, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach are being investigated. It has the funding and backing of listed companies, the corporate and education sector.

“The Hub will cater to people with great ideas who think they have the next Facebook and don’t know how to get started; start-up businesses needing support to expand their market, and corporates and investors looking to put money into innovation by introducing them to relevant start-ups,” Ms Hunneybell said.

“There is brilliant support and a lot of people doing fantastic things on the Gold Coast; we aim to bring them all together.”