A South Australian microbrewery has embraced the craft beer trend and installed a canning line for subsidiary Fox Hat Brewing.
Vale Brewing's new canning line, in Willunga, South Australia, will increase production of its experimental beer Fox Hat, and make it available in take-home cans for the first time.
The Canadian-designed canning line, supplied by Cask, is capable of canning one can every two seconds.
Head brewer Jeff Wright says there are now 15 microbreweries in Australia with a canning line.
So far the brewer has canned its popular Fox Hat Metric IPA and Fox Hat Phat Mongrel Oatmeal Stout, with a new addition – Fox Hat Lusty Lager – also just released in the new packaging format.
Vale Brewing began its life as McLaren Vale Beer Company in 2008 with the goal of introducing fine handcrafted beers and ciders to the local market.
Starting with a single beer –Vale's signature Vale Ale – the range has expanded over the past eight years to include core beers Vale Lager, Vale IPA, Vale Amber and Vale Golden.
In 2012, a premium apple cider sourced from South-Australian apples was launched: Dr Pilkington's Miracle Cider.
In 2015, the Fox Hat brand was launched via keg, and in 2016 the premium small batch beers were released in cans to the retail trade for the first time.
Getting a handle on hygiene
The lager is sold with unique carrier handles designed in the US by Paktech.
The can holders completely cover the can tops, acting as a dust cover and delivering better hygiene to the consumer.
With the installation of the new canning line, Vale Brewing are now able to offer brewing solutions to like-minded craft brewers.
The microbrewery can package cans and kegs on-site.
According to head brewer Jeff Wright, the new beer is in keeping with the Fox Hat Mantra of, “big, bold, and balanced”.
“Lusty Lager is a natural progression from our Metric IPA and Phat Mongrel Stout products – it’s a perfect blend of American and New Zealand hops and, let’s face it, everyone loves a good lager,” he says.
Designed to differentiate
Australian creative agency Nucleus was enlisted to give "a gritty texture" to the brand, referencing a ‘bikie’ feel and implementing bright colours to differentiate the beer styles.
Visy printed the cans in Melbourne, and the finish was achieved through the use of a matte varnish.
Wright describes the new brew as hoppy, with strong notes of melon, apricot and tropical fruits, with a crisp finish that hides the 6.0 per cent ABV well.
With the full range of beers available in cans from this month, the brewery is working on more new releases for the coming year.
