visit coopers brewery

I travelled to try this beer legend's heady new brew - and it was worth it

What's it like to visit a $70 million "cathedral" for ale-lovers?

Create a free account to read this article

Login or signup to continue reading

Something big's been brewing in Adelaide. The wine-famous city just became a serious beer destination, too, with the debut on August 28 of a $70 million visitor centre at Coopers Brewery .

Based at Coopers' Regency Park production facility, 20 minutes' drive north of Adelaide CBD, the centre boasts all kinds of attractions: brewery tours, a restaurant bringing food to Coopers for the first time, a museum and even a concert venue. The hefty spend shows. With two storeys and 1500 sq m of timber and concrete curves inspired by the circular Coopers label and designed by Adelaide-based Studio Nine Architects, the new centre could be an art gallery - if it wasn't for the tanks and whisky stills gleaming through the front window.

Filling 1200 bottles a minute, it's just a beery blur to the naked eye.

The stills are another first. They contain Coopers' first single malt whisky, expected to be ready around 2028 and progressing under the watchful eye of sixth-generation brewer Iain Cooper, now chief distiller. His ancestors star in the museum, a lively 162-year rewind to the brewery's beginnings. Fun fact: Coopers beer began as a medicine, when founder Thomas made a fermented tonic for his wife Anne in 1862.

That history springs to life through family heirlooms and interactive digital displays - from the original horse-drawn delivery carts to a design-your-own beer feature - then you cross a link bridge, don a high-vis vest and head into the source.

It's hard not to be impressed by the scale of Australia's largest family-owned brewery. If you're a beer or whisky lover there's something almost cathedral-like about spaces like the 13,000 sq m maltings, where giant charcoal tubs turn Aussie barley to aromatic malt. The smells are delicious, too.

Read more on Explore:

• I cuddled a kangaroo - but this experience meant so much more
• Wild encounters: Discover the hidden charms of the Gold Coast hinterland
• Incredible cultural attractions you can only experience in Canberra

In the brewery, giant fermenters as tall as houses each hold 170,000 litres of beer (18,000 cartons!), and the bottling line adds unexpected wow factor. Filling 1200 bottles a minute, it's just a beery blur to the naked eye. Our guide's handy tip: film it in slo-mo to truly appreciate this almost religious spectacle. Head chef Fabio Castello (formerly of Melbourne's Vue de Monde) presides over the 400-seater restaurant and brings his deft touch to organic, seasonal produce, with a dash of the brewery's liquid hero in dishes like Coopers Original Pale Ale-battered flathead with classic chips and pink River Murray salt.

The restaurant and taproom are open to the public as standalone venues, and with a 3400 sq m swathe of outdoor seating on the plaza with space for live entertainment, it's set to be a go-to for locals as well as the 100,000 visitors a year the Coopers are expecting. Close enough to the city, the centre also offers an exciting beer option for Adelaide's wine tourists, says managing director Tim Cooper. "We're on the way up to the Barossa Valley and I think could be integrated very well into trips there."

The 90-minute brewery tours, including a guided tasting, are $45 per person, open Tuesday to Saturday.

The restaurant and taproom are open 10am-6pm Tuesday to Saturday. Kids and walk-ins welcome.

Explore more: coopers.com.au

The writer was a guest of Coopers.

Advertisement

Beer & Brewer

Coopers unveils new $70m world-class visitor experience

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

On Tuesday, Coopers Brewery swung open the doors to its new visitor’s centre, microbrewery and whisky distillery, situated alongside the existing brewery at Regency Park, South Australia.

The new, world-class facility has been designed to offer a unique and immersive experience for local, national and international tourists, celebrating the 162-year legacy of the brand.

Now, the home of Coopers comprises a restaurant, three bars and an expansive outdoor plaza, alongside a dedicated tasting room and interactive history displays.

For the first time in the history of the business, Coopers will expand its realm into the world of whisky using the new on-site whisky distillery, positioned alongside a new microbrewery which will allow Coopers to produce small-batch experimental beers.

Almost 20 months since construction began at the Regency Park site, the $70m development was unveiled at an official opening event, officiated by South Australian Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC and attended by the Cooper family and more than 300 industry professionals.  

Speaking at the official opening, Coopers Managing Director Dr Tim Cooper said: “This new visitors centre is about celebrating our history and our originality with an emphasis on what makes Coopers different. We’re still standing and still independent at a time when brewery ownership is becoming increasingly concentrated.”

New production capabilities

Two of the key features of the new site are the addition of a microbrewery and whisky distillery, allowing Coopers to be more experimental in its production.

While the existing brewery will continue to operate as normal, the new microbrewery has been developed as a space for Coopers to craft experimental brews available exclusively at the visitor’s centre, alongside the core range of 13 beers.

Cooper said: “This is an opportunity for us to be able to experiment with small-batch brewing. When we do a brew like we did the Botanic Ale recently, for that batch the minimum size we can do is 650-hectare litres, that’s 65,000 litres. If we get it wrong, which we try not to do, it has to go down the drain, and that’s a lot of beer to go down the drain.

“Whereas, if we brew 3000 litres, it’s a much more manageable amount, and so we can try different things, try things that we would not otherwise try in the large brewhouse.”

For the first time, the team at Coopers will also branch out into a new liquid, producing whisky using malt that is made on-site and crafted in custom-made cooper whisky stills, fabricated in Scotland especially for the new site. Additionally, the new space has underground stillage for 5000 whisky barrels.

Speaking about the decision to expand into an entirely new category, Cooper said: “We do a number of things with barley malt, and whisky was one thing that we’ve never done. So we thought, we know how to do the malting, we know how to do the brewing, the fermentation. The last step, which we don’t know, is the distilling and maturation. So, with any luck, over the next four years we will master that as well.”

To allow for spirit maturation, visitors will have to wait a few years before Coopers’ first whisky is released.

Creating new experiences

All of these new facilities sit within the visitor’s centre building at the heart of the Regency Park site. The two-storey building, which has capacity for 400 people, features a unique curved design inspired by the iconic Coopers roundel label, utilising stainless steel, copper, timber and concrete elements.

What started as a $50m investment, became a $70m investment as construction costs increased and the family elaborated on the scope, bringing Coopers’ total investment at Regency Park to almost $400m since 1999.

From the visitor’s centre, guests will be able to enjoy modern restaurant and bar facilities, led by industry hall of famer Peter Morelli, who was appointed Venue Manager and leads a 24-strong team. The full Coopers beer range is available on tap, along with a seasonal beer-inspired food menu.

The Coopers kitchen is led by Head Chef Fabio Castello, whose menu blends the flavours of South American and Mediterranean cuisine with the taste of Coopers premium beers. Highlights include Coopers Original Pale Ale-battered flathead with chips, crumbed veal cutlet and a selection burgers, pizzas and plant-based options.

Hoping to attract 100,000 visitors each year, Coopers has reintroduced its brewery tours, which incorporate the new facility and an interactive history display, with all proceeds going to the Coopers Foundation.

“Although we’ve been running tours since 2006, this new facility will augment and expand our visitor experience. We’ll open to the public on 28 August under the expert supervision of Peter Morelli, who has been a great long term supporter of Coopers and will create a lasting impression for new visitors and ongoing connection for our consumers,” added Cooper.

Beer tax hikes

On Monday 5 August, the Federal Government increased excise duty rates for alcohol on beer, with the cost of making a keg of full-strength beer rising from $42.37 to $43.22. Twice yearly tax increases are continuing to challenge the brewing industry, and following the latest beer excise hike, Cooper took the opportunity to discuss the damaging impact it is having on both the industry and consumers.

“Indexation is the thing that we really rail against. We think that at roughly 40 per cent of the cost of a carton of beer, the excise is already enough. If you add the GST on top, we’re over 40 per cent of the cost of a carton of beer as tax, and that makes us the third highest in the world, after Finland and Norway.

“As I said to Joe Hockey when he was Treasurer, you’re now in a situation where you’re not getting much more tax, because the consumption of beer is elastic. As the price goes up, brewers will put the price up when excise goes up, and that happens every six months, so of course makes the product more expensive.

“It’s very sad to see people swapping from beer to other products because they find that beer is now too expensive. We know that at the pubs, beer is really out of the reach for many people, and we’d dearly like to see the indexation stop and the Treasury to be happy with the $2.5bn that they already get from the beer drinkers of Australia.”

Related Articles

Leave a comment.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Coopers’ $70 Million Brewery Opens in Adelaide: A First Look

C oopers Brewery has unveiled a game-changing AUD$70 million venue in Adelaide, two years after the landmark expansion was first announced. Promising to deliver a new benchmark for the Australian craft beer industry, Coopers’ new brewery introduces the latest distillation technology to the brand’s staunchly traditional approach to go along with a world-class dining experience. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the beloved South Australian brand or just enjoy a good cold one, the latest Adelaide outpost sees Coopers Brewery at its absolute apex.

Located next to Coopers’ existing brewery at Regency Park, the brand-new facility features a vibrant restaurant and three bars, family-friendly dining areas, a dedicated tasting room, and even a microbrewery and whisky distillery. I was fortunate enough to be invited to the extravagant opening event at the new brewery and let me tell you, the Coopers family sure knows how to put on a party!

Table of Contents

A world-class experience, innovation meets tradition, coopers whisky, a beer-inspired culinary experience, when can i visit.

At an opening event officiated by South Australian Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Coopers celebrated the new venue with trademark enthusiasm. The energy was electric, even before anyone had downed a beer, as members of the Cooper family, alongside architects, engineers, and industry heavyweights, gathered to celebrate the latest achievement, which Coopers’ managing director, Dr Tim Cooper described as ‘truly world-class’.

“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken in the 162-year history of Coopers Brewery,” Dr Cooper said. “We wanted every aspect to be truly world-class and of the highest quality. It’s a significant, long-term investment by our family company and our vote of confidence in the future of Coopers and Australia’s manufacturing industry.”

I’m not exaggerating when I say this isn’t just another brewery; it’s an all-encompassing premium experience. With room for up to 400 guests, the restaurant and bar area offers a beer-inspired menu perfectly paired with an extensive selection of Coopers beers on tap. Guests with a more adventurous palate can even get their hands on exclusive craft beers from the on-site microbrewery that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

Hospitality veteran Peter Morelli is at the helm, ensuring every visit is one to remember. The revamped brewery tours now include access to the new facilities and an interactive history display, with all proceeds supporting the Coopers Foundation’s charitable work.

One of the most interesting features is the Coopers Museum located in the sky bridge linking the existing brewery to the multi-million dollar visitor centre. As well as showcasing the long history of the family-owned brand, several interactive installations provide extensive insight into what makes Coopers Beer what it is today.

A stand-out feature for me was a pair of intricate LEGO installations meticulously crafted by local artist Micah Sarre. Comprising over 42,623 LEGO pieces, these stunning displays vividly depict Coopers’ two iconic breweries—Leabrook (1881-2001) and Regency Park (2001-present)—offering a unique, interactive glimpse into the brand’s storied history.

At the heart of Coopers’ new brewery lies the microbrewery, a space dedicated to innovation and creativity in brewing. This microbrewery isn’t just an add-on; it represents Coopers’ commitment to pushing the boundaries of traditional brewing while staying true to the brand’s roots.

These small-batch brews are exclusive to the brewery, offering a unique tasting experience that showcases the creativity and expertise of Coopers’ brewing team. Whether it’s a bold new IPA, a seasonal ale, or a reimagined classic, each brew from the microbrewery is crafted with the same dedication to quality that has defined Coopers for over 160 years. Meanwhile, the existing brewery continues to churn out over 90 million litres of beer each year.

“We wanted our new facility to be more than just a continuation of our long-standing brewing traditions; it’s about embracing the future of craft beer. The microbrewery allows us to experiment with new styles and techniques, offering visitors something truly unique and exclusive to this site,” Dr Tim Cooper added.

While Coopers is synonymous with beer, I was surprised to learn about the brand’s new venture into whisky distilling, set to carve out an exciting new chapter in the brewery’s long history. Nestled within the state-of-the-art facility, the whisky distillery is a testament to Coopers’ commitment to innovation while staying true to its craft roots.

The distillery boasts custom-made copper stills, imported from Scotland, which are at the heart of the whisky-making process. Using malt produced on-site, Coopers is gearing up to produce their own unique whisky, although it will be a few years before we get to enjoy the first bottles. This new addition is not just about expanding their product line; it’s about deepening the connection between the barley fields and the finished spirit, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the early stages of whisky production.

Visitors to the brewery can explore the distillery, learning about the meticulous process involved in creating whisky—from grain to glass. For those intrigued by the craftsmanship behind fine spirits, this is a must-see feature of the new Coopers facility.

The new Coopers Brewery isn’t just a place to enjoy world-class beer; it’s also a culinary destination in its own right. The restaurant and bar facilities, which can accommodate up to 400 guests, feature a menu that’s been thoughtfully designed to pair perfectly with Coopers’ extensive range of beers.

“Our aim with the restaurant and bar facilities was to create an experience that goes beyond just beer. The menu has been carefully crafted to complement our range of Coopers beers, offering dishes that are inspired by the very brews we produce,” said Dr Tim Cooper during the opening ceremony. “It’s about creating a space where people can come together, enjoy great food, and truly immerse themselves in the Coopers experience.”

The new Coopers Brewery opened its doors to the public on August 28 , offering tastings, meals, and tours. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or simply curious about the future of Australian brewing, this is one destination you won’t want to miss.

Disclaimer:  The author of this article, John Guanzon, travelled to the new Coopers Brewery in Adelaide as a guest of the Coopers for the purposes of this article.

• CONTENT FOR BUSINESS
• [email protected]
• Español
• Français
• Português

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.​

Limited time: €2

• View on map
• Do & See
• Restaurants
• Bars & Nightlife
• Tourist Information

Coopers Brewery Tour

Useful information.

• Address: 461 South Road, Regency Park
• Website: www.coopers.com.au
• Phone: +61 8 8440 1800
• Email: [email protected]

Digital Travel Guide Download

Adelaide Botanic Garden

South Australian Museum

Migration Museum

Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute

National Wine Centre of Australia

Adelaide Festival Centre

Cleland Wildlife Park

Art Gallery of South Australia

Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Zoo

Wine cellars

South Australian Maritime Museum

Dolphin Swim & Watch

Next Section

Cancellation policy.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

• For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
• If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
• Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
• Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations

Lowest Price Guarantee

We guarantee the lowest price on all 200,000+ experiences we sell. If you find the same product cheaper within three days of booking or while you're in your destination, we'll refund the difference.

It's Easy To Do

Gather your information.

Assemble your Viator Booking Number or Itinerary Reference Number and the proof of the lower price you found.

Send it to us

Email [email protected] with the documents, your name, and your home address.

We'll review

We'll examine your materials and get in touch as soon as we can.

Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the difference between the two prices.

Refund Terms & Conditions

BREWING UP A COLORADO TRADITION FOR OVER 60 YEARS

LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

SEPTEMBER 28 CLOSURE

Due to a private Coors company event, we will be closed to the public for brewery tours, sampling in the lounge, and shopping in the gift shop on Saturday, September 28th. Hours for tours, sampling, and the gift shop will remain as normal September 26th, 27th, 29th, and 30th. 

BREWERY TOURS ARE CURRENTLY SOLD OUT THROUGH OCTOBER 7th. Please be advised that dates which we are either sold out, closed, or have not yet made available for sale will not show as available on our calendar. 

Please Scroll Down to View our Regular Business Hours & Holiday Closures

WELCOME TO COORS BREWERY TOUR

See and taste traditional brewing at the foot of the Rocky Mountains in the largest single-site brewery in the world! Since 1873 the Coors Brewery has thrived on a legacy of quality, innovation and customer service.

The Coors Brewery Tour showcases our history and passion for brewing in a 90-minute look at our malting, brewing and packaging processes. We also share old photos, neon signs, historical beer cans, bottles and memorabilia from our archives.

2024 Hours of Operation

All hours are listed in Mountain Time (MST/MDT)

For current tour availability, please check out our booking tool by clicking “Book Now” below .

Brewery Tours, Sampling-Only*, and In-Person Shopping Available

Thursday-Monday** 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM  (Tour and Sampling Times Vary)

**Note: Tour availability is very limited Mondays and Thursdays .  

Closed to Visitors for Tours, Sampling, and Shopping Tuesday-Wednesday

Tours, Sampling and Shopping will be closed the following dates due to

Holidays, Company Events, or Brewery Maintenance:

August 31-September 2 (Sat-Mon), September 28 (Sat), November 28-29 (Thu-Fri)

*- Sampling-only reservations do not include brewery tours.

Total visit time takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes and guests must be 21+ to sample. Please bring a valid, government-issued, photo ID.

Tour times are subject to change.

@coorsbrewerytour

FOLLOW US  

To ensure that the response goes to your inbox rather than your junk mail, be sure to add @molsoncoors.com to your safe sender list, or check you junk mail regularly.

For inquires not related to the tour, please Contact Us Here .

*All fields are required.

The information you provide will only be used in accordance with our privacy policy  unless otherwise disclaimed on the site.

303-277-BEER (2337)

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content

Your Guide to Pennsylvania

Cooper’s Shed Museum

The Cooper’s Shed Museum is part of the Bube’s (pronounced boo-bees) Brewery complex which includes a modern microbrewery, three restaurants, an outdoor Biergarten, an art gallery, a homebrewing and gift store, a banquet facility and a live music venue.

Alois Bube was a late1 9th-century Bavarian immigrant and entrepreneur who was successful in Lancaster County’s brewing industry. (Beer was a natural offshoot of the stronghold of German immigrants who came to America and shared their knowledge of lager beer making.)

Bube worked there and, in 1876 bought a small brewery in Mount Joy.

The Coopers Shed Museum is a legacy and integral part of the beer industry, which needed the large wooden barrels a cooper makes to place beer for ageing and storage.

A large collection of antique cooper’s tools is on display (including many original tools from this cooperage.) Beer memorabilia recalls the heyday of local brewing before Prohibition.

Discover more

To enter this site you must be at least 18 years old

Coopers Australian Lager has officially dropped.

This latest arrival has been 162 years in the making and it’s been well worth the wait. Refreshing from first drop to last, Coopers Australian Lager delivers a balanced, easy drinking, modern take on what a lager should be. 

Where Can I Get It?

Find your nearest stockist of Australian Lager with our beer finder.

Find Stockist

First Drop Release

This is a pretty special moment. That’s why we’ve specially marked each can from this First Drop release. We made a special video all about it too.

Watch Video

Score Some Sweet As Prizes...

Check the bottom of your First Drop specially marked cans, find a unique timestamp and things will get a whole lot special...ier, with sweet prizes up for grabs. There’s a bunch of instant wins in addition to major prizes.

See if you’re a winner.

Find Out Here

Enter a postcode or venue name to view venues near you.

Unfortunately no participating venues match your search criteria.

Please enter new search criteria

Sign up to our newsletter.