Sobah Beverages have decided to sell their production brewery on the Gold Coast, with the founders of Australia's first non-alcoholic brewery saying they're planning a "strategic downsizing".
Their production site and taproom opened in Burleigh Heads just over a year ago – Australia's first and only brewery dedicated to making non-alc beer, which Sobah first started producing in 2017. Founder Clinton Schultz, who owns and operates the brewery alongside wife Lozen, told The Crafty Pint they've looked to streamline their business which has been impacted by the economic conditions hitting the beer industry.
“We’re intending to go back to a contract model that’s more streamlined and, as much as possible, more hands-free,” Clinton says.
“We’ve been carrying too much debt since we opened Sobah HQ. It was just poor timing: as we got that open we fell into this economic situation and the struggles that the whole craft beer industry has been experiencing.”
The plan is to work closely with a small number of retailers, including Amazon as an e-commerce partner, a move that opens up export opportunities.
“That would allow us to enter into the US market," Clinton says. "The reality is the craft non-alc opportunity is much greater than it is in the US and the UK than it is in Australia. Despite how far we’ve come, I think Australia is still behind those larger markets in terms of acceptance and willingness to pay for good quality non-alc.
"While we’re seeing the non-alc market boom in Australia, it’s very much geared around cheap multinational products.”
The plan to downsize comes on the back of a brand relaunch they've undertaken in the last six months through which they've aimed to widen the appeal of their beers.
“Part of the brand relaunch was to make the brand more appealing to a broader audience of people who weren’t just looking to support an Aboriginal business, but also people who were looking to support good craft non-alc beer," Clinton says.
"We were unfortunately finding that our branding as it was – Aboriginal-based and being out there loud and proud as an Aboriginal business – was probably a deterrent.”
As Australia's first brewing company dedicated to making non-alc craft beer, Clinton says he's proud of the changes he's seen in Australia's drinking culture and the role he and the team have played. But, like many local breweries, 2024 is proving to be a year to adapt.
“We’ve seen drinking habits change a lot in the last five years, and it’s been great to be a massive part of that,” he adds. “But, at the end of the day, we’re still a business so we need to get back to looking at what is the best and most sustainable business model brand moving forward.”
More details on the sale of the production brewery below.
Media Release: Prime Burleigh Heads Brewery Site Now Available for Acquisition
An exceptional opportunity has emerged for a brewery business seeking a high-exposure, fully operational site on the Gold Coast. The turnkey brewery venue at Burleigh Heads, currently home to the renowned Sobah Beverages, is now available for acquisition as the company plans a strategic downsizing.
Situated in the vibrant Burleigh Heads precinct, this established brewery site offers prime visibility and accessibility in one of the Gold Coast’s most sought-after locations. The site, fully equipped for brewing operations and events, is perfect for a new or growing brewery looking to establish a dynamic presence in a high-exposure area.
The brewery venue features:
- State-of-the-art 50hL capacity brewing equipment, canning line and tunnel pasteurisation
- A spacious venue with commercial kitchen, ideal for tastings, events, and retail sales
- High exposure in a central Gold Coast location
Clinton Schultz, founder of Sobah, “We’re excited to offer this outstanding location to another brewery ready to take advantage of its potential. It’s a fantastic site, and we’re looking forward to seeing another business flourish here as Sobah expands in another direction. New occupants may also be interested in taking advantage of several contract brewing and packing opportunities in the new year. As for Sobah, we’re looking to simplify our physical operations in 2025.”
Located in highly sought after commercial real estate area known to provide significant annual returns on investment, this turnkey brewery plus freehold site is expected to draw significant interest. Prospective buyers are encouraged to act quickly, as opportunities like this don’t come around often.
Interested parties can reach Clinton at clinton.s@sobah.com.au.
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
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Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
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Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
