Gage Roads Brew Co is turning 20! To kick off the party, the crew are launching a new beer, Huey Coastal Lager, at the state’s biggest Sunday sesh this upcoming WA Day long weekend.
Twenty years ago, two brothers, Bill & John Hoedemaker, and a couple of mates turned an old margarine factory near Freo into WA’s leading independent brewery. With nothing more than the love of good beer, the coast and a $25k credit card, the team rolled up their sleeves, and Gage Roads Brew Co was born. Fast forward a couple of decades and Gage Roads has become WA’s true state brewery.
The milestone birthday kicks off at Gage Roads Freo on Sunday 1st June, this WA Day long weekend. The state’s biggest Sunday sesh will see Huey Coastal Lager tapped and pouring fresh for the first time alongside the full range of Gage regulars and limited releases. The tunes will be cranked with live music and high vibes, with a few surprises in the back pocket on the day.
Gage Roads’ original Aaron Heary says the party will be epic.
“It’s been a crazy little journey starting this brewery, and I don’t think we ever thought we’d make it this far. We’ve always had a lot of fun doing it, and so when it came to our 20th birthday bash, we wanted to do something that really felt like a Gage Roads party… something iconically West Australian… and so it was either going to be a massive boat party or a WA’s biggest Sunday session… and we could find a big enough boat!
We’ve also got a new beer to tap on the day called Huey Coastal Lager, which is named after our Seagull mascot. A clear bottle lager brewed with 100% natural ingredients, and without all the bad stuff like preservatives, you might feel the next day. It’s a better Mid, brewed at 3.8% using local barley and lagered longer for that little bit extra. ”I haven’t been this excited about a new beer since we launched Single Fin!”, said Aaron.
From modest beginnings, Gage Roads Brew Co has become Australia’s number one independent craft brewery. Over 3.6 Million pints of Single Fin Summer Ale were washed down in Aussie pubs this year. Over 10 years, more than 3.7 million cartons of Gage Roads beers have been filled into eskies and fridges nationwide. After a couple of decades, there’s plenty to reflect on. But what’s the standout moment? The rise of Single Fin to WA go-to brew status? Taking out the 2016 Australian International Beer ward for the country’s best beer with Little Dove? Getting WA-made beer pouring again at our home of Footy Optus Stadium? Or the opening of Gage Roads Freo, the iconic venue that overlooks the stretch of water that first inspired the brewery?
Gage founder John Hoedemaker says there’s plenty to be proud of.
“After 20 years, it’s a privilege to throw a party to mark the wins and celebrate the people who helped make it all happen. We’re proud to be able to create and build a brewery that’s part of WA’s history. We’ve had a hell of a lot of fun doing it, too, but we certainly couldn’t have done it without the West Aussies who love the same things we do – a good local beer and good times on the coast. So, to everyone that’s enjoyed a Single Fin or Side Track at a backyard barbie, down the beach, or off the wood at Gage Roads Freo, cheers to you!”
Gage Roads Brew Co proudly turns 20 this WA Day long weekend. Come join the party at Gage Roads Freo, where the new brew Huey Coastal Lager will be tapped for the first time.
Launching in WA only, Huey Coastal Lager is available now in 4x6x330mL bottles across WA independent bottle shops. Check out our beer finder to track down your local.