Mash Brewing looks to east coast

Swan Valley microbrewery, Mash Brewing, plans to open a second venue in Bunbury as part of an expansion plan that includes establishing a presence on the east coast and retailing its boutique beers through bottle shops and other pubs.

Mash operations manager Carolyn Lawrence said Mash hoped to open its Bunbury pub in October following relevant government approvals.

The brewery’s planned location is near Bunbury’s luxury Silo apartments and close to Dome Coffees Australia overlooking the water on Bonnefoi Street.

Ms Lawrence told WA Business News Mash wanted to open five to six microbrewery pubs within the next three years, including opening a venue in Melbourne.

Mash has also appointed a state sales manager to spearhead retail sales, and from next week its Mex beer will be available at some liquor outlets.

Ms Lawrence said Mash would increase the range of beer it retailed over time and that its beer production is expected to double to 240,000 litres in the next 12 months.

Mash owner Brad Cox opened the Swan Valley brewery in April last year in a bid to tap in to consumer demand for boutique beers.

Ms Lawrence said the success of its Swan Valley operation had prompted Mr Cox to explore growth opportunities.

“There had been a lot of interest in what we have been doing and there had been a lot of people that said they wanted to invest in the business,” she said.

Ms Lawrence said the new Mash businesses would be established under a franchise-like model.

She said the Bunbury business would act as a “guinea pig” and once “the right systems” were in place it would look to open at another location, which potentially could be Melbourne.

“We have been told that Melbourne is crying out for something like this,” Ms Lawrence said.

“There are a few [microbreweries] out of the city, but we think there is a good opportunity to do something in the city itself,” she said.

Mr Cox is part of a group of investors that will have a stake in the Bunbury business. 

Ms Lawrence said Mash had investigated opening in Margaret River, but decided there were sufficient breweries in the area, however there were no breweries operating in Bunbury.