Old Coast Road Brewery begins tests on new $2.6 million canning facility ahead of sales to stores and pubs

Old Coast Road Brewery’s new $2.6 million canning facility had its first test runs last week ahead of plans to pump out sales to liquor stores and pubs later in the year. The new facility includes a tunnel pasteuriser and a completely off-grid solar panel and battery system, which owner Andrew Harris said had been five years in the making. “It’s been a long time in the planning and the construction, but we started making beer there about a month ago, and (last Tuesday was) our first day of canning, which is exciting,” he said. “People will see our cans coming out into the market in bottle shops and pubs, which will be great. “Compared to other craft breweries, if you look at the price per litre of beer . . . our beer should be probably 15 to 20 per cent cheaper.” Among the items in the new facility is the tunnel pasteuriser, which will allow the beers to be stored warm due to the additional treatment of the cans. The pasturiser is said to be a special piece of equipment with the Old Coast Road team the only craft brewery in WA which has it, according to Mr Harris. One the beer is canned, a number of designs depicting the natural landscape around the Myalup brewery will feature, including forests and nearby coastline. Mr Harris is hopeful the product will be on shelves soon. “I think we can probably do something in about three months time and start getting production out there,” he said. “We just have to see how our first few canning runs go, and then effectively will be ready.”