By NOEL MURPHY
A BEER-led recovery could help bolster Geelong’s economy amid the gloom of business closures and threats elsewhere.
International brewer Lion launched its $60 million Little Creatures brewery at South Geelong this week, planning to churn out 1.25 million cartons of beer in its first year.
The brewer will make its boutique Little Creatures and White Rabbit ales at the heritage site, which will become its new Australian east coast base.
Lions expects the brewery to create up to 100 jobs.
Lion chief Stuart Irvine said the facility would help meet demand for Little Creatres beers “now and into the future”.
“Importantly, we’ll be able to produce beer closest to where our future growth will come from – the eastern states. Beer is always best consumed fresh and this allows us to provide fresher product to the eastern market.”
Mayor Darryn Lyons described the brewery as “an exciting milestone for Geelong”.
“This is one of the most exciting new major private enterprises to open in Geelong, and I urge the Geelong community to get behind it.
“It’s a brilliant addition to the city and further builds on our region’s reputation as a world-class destination for top-quality food and drink.
“This is the kind of thing we’re going to be seeing more and more of in the future – big businesses, national and international, investing in Geelong and setting up headquarters in our city.”
