Agent Cooper
For those of you who think that Australian beer is all fizzy gnat’s pee from big breweries you’ve obviously never experienced the joy of Coopers. The brewery has a rich history, which spans from 1862, and seen it fend off take-over bids from major multi-nationals and have the confidence to launch vintage products. BotW has a
quick chat with executive chairman and marketing director Glenn Cooper to find out more…
How did you first get involved in beer?
Being a fifth generation Cooper, my family were always involved with the brewery; during my youth my father was company secretary and the brewery was located near our family home, so beer was never very far away.
What is fashionable in Australian beer at the moment?
In Australia Low Carb beer is popular at the moment but is a small segment of the market (it has been tried and failed three or four times before) so time will tell whether this is just a fad or not. Also anything that is not considered domestic "mainstream" beer i.e quality imported lagers, craft beers and specialty ales are growing strongly in our market.
What do you think we’ll be drinking in the future?
Due to the acquisitions and mergers going on worldwide amongst brewers, ‘global’ brands will become stronger as they leverage their distribution networks. It will be interesting to watch consumer reaction to this, as the previously ‘imported’ beer becomes locally produced in many countries around the world.
What’s the best thing about working in the beer business?
The people in the beer industry and selling a product which is all about enjoyment, socialising and communication is definitely the best thing about the brewing industry – beer should be fun!
What has been your biggest contribution to the beer business?
As marketing director the growth and success of the Coopers brands is my biggest contribution, because we’re now known for our ales worldwide; but as ex.....
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By Sally Toms
Section : Last Shout
Page number : 74
