A new joint venture between two of WA's indie booze producers is the latest example of collaboration within Australia's maturing beer market, with Otherside and Funk cider set to launch a new shared sales team model from next month. The move will see Otherside representing and distributing Funk's beverages while both businesses continue to operate independently.
Only a few weeks ago in The Best Of Beer 2022 series, we commented on the general maturation of the Australian beer market, citing brand consolidation under a broad house of those with larger volumes, and businesses looking up at more corporate models.
And, while there is an increasingly acute commercial reality when it comes to beer sales, there remains fellowship, community and collaboration – not least in WA – as Otherside’s national sales manager Chris Webster (pictured above right) explains.
“From my side, it’s been a goal for quite a while to get to get some like-minded people together to share expenses in a market that’s becoming tougher," he says. "The big boys are doing it already, and this opportunity allows both Otherside and Funk to grow independently but together.
“It’s an extension of what we already do. We might take on more customers, but we don’t want to take on competing brands.
“We saw the synergies and talked with Funk about a shared vision, shared KPIs, shared strategies – it just all makes sense for us and our customers.”
Noting that it’s “difficult and expensive to run a sales team”, he says this partnership is “a fresh take on achieving common business goals” beyond the acquisition model, one aimed at growing both brands as well as maximising efficiencies with the existing Otherside team.
Funk’s national sales manager Justin Weibrecht (pictured on left at top of article) notes the partnership comes at a time when the Swan Valley cider maker is developing in its second location.
“Taking the next step from the original cider house to Funk 2.0 is a good opportunity to increase capacity, increase litreage and extend our brand," he says, "with a full-time cider maker, and full-time brewer.
“We’re treating Funk 2.0 as a brand new brand and we’re getting it out there, and making it easy for people to find Funk.”
The move comes three months after Wayward and Batch announced they were coming together to form the Local Drinks Collective, which could yet welcome more indie brewers into the fold. Since the announcement, the former Bucket Boys bottleshop and bar in Marrickville that had previously been acquired by Batch has transitioned to the Local Drinks Collective bottleshop downstairs and, as of this week, the Wayward Speakeasy upstairs.
About the author: Guy drinks and writes about beer, goes for a run most mornings and makes his own chilli hot sauce. Find out more on Goodtimes Craft Beer via Facebook and Instagram.
For me, beer writing is about sharing experience with others, most of which is as much about what happens around the glass as what’s in it. It’s why I started a blog in 2014 after years of drinking beer and through quite literally bumping into founder James Smith at Good Beer Week began writing for The Crafty Pint. Many amazing friendships have developed from the love of water, malt, hops, yeast, adjuncts and hype!
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer
Early 90s experience with Dogbolter and bottles of Delirium Tremens at the Sail and Anchor proved that there was more to beer than the cheap stuff I was drinking. A few years later, Chimay Blue once again teased before Little Creatures Pale Ale and Feral Hop Hog set the course for beer with flavour and nuance.
Favourite beer styles
Balance and drinking context are key but a short list includes Brett saisons, super fresh West Coast IPAs, well constructed BA sours, BA imperial stouts and fresh India pale lagers.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
Depending on the beer and circumstance, bitterness and acidity are the hurdles to overcome.
- Right now, Eagle Bay’s IPL is a great modern expression of technique and approachability. The hop presence arrives in soft mango and lime with enough bitterness but it’s the tight carbonation and refreshingly super dry finish that seals the deal.
- Boston Brewing’s Afterglose: Raspberry gose brings a near-perfect fruit / salt / acidity balance to a vibrantly coloured beer. It’s a real talking point which can lead to conversation about the history of beer styles, acidity on the palate or just: "Do you want another one?"
- Any fresh Czech-style pilsner. This has to be fresh in order to pick up the grassy noble hop characters and zippy bitterness on the slightly more biscuity malt body. While familiar to many, a really fresh expression is great starting point for a massive world of beer.
Tell us about a standout beer moment
A favourite beer memory involves spending an afternoon sitting under the dripping eaves of a café in the 5th Arrondissement watching Parisians run in and out of a bakery with fresh baguettes while I drank large goblets of Duvel as the winter rain soaked the tiny cobblestoned square. So much about beer is context!
