Craft brewer hops to help flood-affected NQ communities

Queenslanders are toasting Townsville Brewing Co. after the team sold all 25 kegs of The Big Wet Pale Ale – a beer brewed to raise funds for north Queenslanders impacted by recent flooding.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick commended the brewery for their community-first efforts as the region continues to recover and rebuild.

“This is Queensland craft brewing ingenuity at its best, using quality craft beer to give back to the local region it’s born from, at a real time of need,” Mr Dick said.

Townsville Brewery produced and quickly sold 25 kegs of The Big Wet Pale Ale, approximately 1450 litres, with 25 per cent of sales donated to the Queensland Country Women’s Association Public Rural Crisis Fund.

“As a result, the brewery has raised more than $6000 for north Queensland communities affected by this year’s unprecedented floods.

“This is a great example of how craft brewing is making a positive impact in Queensland. The industry’s connection to community can’t be understated.”

Townsville Brewing Co. Head Brewer Sam Lloyd said the limited edition Big Wet Pale Ale had extra significance for brewery workers who lost everything in last month’s deluge.

“Townsville and surrounding communities like Cloncurry and Julia Creek were hit hard by the floods, so as a business we wanted to contribute to the region’s renewal,” Mr Lloyd said.

“The Big Wet launched to market in March and demand for the brew was immediately strong. We’ve sold all the kegs, and only have one carton of the fundraising froth remaining.

“It’s been fantastic to receive this outpouring of community support and for everyone to get behind us.”

Learn more about the Palaszczuk Government’s support for craft brewing, including the Queensland Craft Brewing Strategy.

/Public Release. View in full here.