Old Grafton brewery could be new distribution centre
THE former Grafton brewery could soon be returned to the hub of activity it once was.
Thunder Road Brewery CEO Philip Withers contacted the building's owners yesterday to talk about putting a distribution centre in the old establishment.
Mr Withers also spoke to Mayor Richie Williamson and was impressed with the can-do attitude of support he sensed in the Grafton community.
Everyone was feeling very happy about bringing back something the town can be proud of.
"Mate, it's a marriage made in heaven," said Les McGill of the brewery when the prospect of having the tower display the Grafton beer logo was raised.
Mr Withers was even more enthused.
"That's really exciting and it gives me a real sense of pleasure to think people would be able to see the city's name up there associated with a product they can be proud of," he said.
Mr Withers was confident his beer would be able to occupy the guest tap in every pub in the Jacaranda City.
Most pubs around Grafton buy their keg beer under contract from the major Sydney- and Melbourne- based brewers.
"That's what killed the Grafton brewery in the first place," said Mr Withers.
"However if consumers vote with their feet that is what will make this happen."
What differentiates Thunder Road beers is they are not pasteurised or heated to very high temperatures, which kills the flavour.
However, in order for them to keep they cannot go above four degrees Celsius anywhere between the brewery gate and the schooner glass.
Consequently the company needs to set up a distribution point, which will hopefully be in Grafton, and they also need to find a trucking company capable of transporting the product in chilled condition.
