Top of the hops: Launceston brewery Boag's marks 140th birthday

Before I moved to Launceston in October 2018, I was aware of the two major breweries in Tasmania and the healthy competition that existed between them.

Being a Victorian lad, I was more inclined to drink the local amber ales like VB, Crown Lager and even Foster's back in my late teens.

The Tasmanian brews became more popular in Melbourne in the late '90s, and were often seen on tap at most of the trendy pubs and clubs around town.

The eclectic mix of the historical and industrial.

I remember a mate of mine introducing me to Boag's Premium, as it was his favourite beer.

From the first time I saw the eclectic mix of architecture at Boag's brewery, I was intrigued from a photographic perspective.

Spread over a substantial piece of real estate and consisting of historical buildings, newer architecture and of course, the huge stainless-steel silos and external equipment crucial to the brewing process.

A brewery addition from 1950

A drone image of the Boag's urban footprint.

I was keen to learn a little more about the history of Boag's and to have the opportunity to photograph the complex both inside and out.

I contacted the brewery and arranged to meet up Boag's Brewery manager Nathan Calman who kindly offered me a personal guided tour this week.

Brewery manager Nathan Calman my personal tour guide.

One of first things I had to ask Nathan was: "Who was James Boag?" Nathan provided me with a plethora of answers and this is a small extract from the information I received.

"In 1881 the Esk Brewery was established on the banks of the North Esk River in Launceston.

When James Boag I and his son James Boag II, took over the brewery it was said to be the most complete brewery in Tasmania. The name Esk Brewery was retained, although Boag's Brewery became a frequent reference.

The old decommissioned brew house

James Boag I emigrated from Paisley, Scotland in 1853. James brought his family to Launceston to work at his uncle, John Fawns', Cornwall Brewery, which is now part of the current day Boag's brewery.

James was employed by the Cornwall Brewery for 25 years. During that time James and Janet Boag had eight more children.

James Boag II was born in 1854 and educated in Launceston. He was every inch an energetic 19th century entrepreneur.

Some of the magic ingredients inside the new brew house.

During his 30 years in control, the brewery expanded to cover the same area it occupies today. He took over solo management of J.Boag and Son in 1887 on the retirement of his father.

He increased the production of the brewery significantly.

The younger James lived in a house attached to the brewery in William Street from 1888 to 1894. By the 1900s, the brewery was known throughout the colony for its superior quality.

The huge stainless steel vats inside the brew house

James Boag III took over the company after World War I, during a period of great change. He had a similar Launceston upbringing to his father and followed his sporting interests.

A keen rower, James Boag III was president and patron of the North Esk Rowing Club.

He was on the first committee of the Royal Autocar Club, president of the East Launceston Bowls Club and a good amateur boxer in his youth. He was also an alderman in the Launceston City Council from 1937 to 1940".

One of the many engine rooms

The small top portion of the huge storage vats

In 2000, J. Boag and Son (a publicly listed company) was sold to San Miguel Corporation for $92 million.

In 2004, the Boag's urban footprint was expanded to occupy the complete block of The Esplanade, William, Tamar and Shields streets.

In 2007, San Miguel Corp sold the brewery to Lion Nathan, a trans-Tasman subsidiary company of Japanese beverage conglomerate Kirin for $325 million.

Two of Launceston's icons - Cataract Gorge and Boag's Brewery.

All of the company's beers are produced in Launceston. Those beers are Premium, Premium Light, Draught, Draught Light, XXX Ale, St. George and Wizard Smith's.

The pale ale, Wizard Smith's, was named after an employee who rescued several draft horses from drowning during the great floods of 1929. James Boag III awarded Wizard with a job for life and eventually a pale ale in his honour, colloquially known as their "Hero Beer".

On the production line.

This year Boag's will produce about 28 million litres of beer.

Production demands can be seasonal, with the brewery sometimes producing more than a million litres a week during the busy summer periods.

The brewery exports to Japan, the UK and parts of Europe, and also produces beer for other Lion Nathan brands, including XXXX Gold, Tooheys Red and Kirin Ichiban First Press Lager.

Boag's sources most of its ingredients locally when possible. The mashed up barley left over from the brewing process is given to local farmers, who use it as livestock feed.

Kirin Ichiban First Press Larger can ready for export to Japan.

Kirin Ichiban First Press Larger can ready for export to Japan.

Inside the warehouse with mountains of beer ready for export and local delivery

Today, Boag's brewery employs 60 staff members in total operations, with 26 people in packaging, 12 in brewing, four in quality control and laboratory roles, 12 in engineering, six management and administration staff. An additional eight work in sales, and 15 in the visitors centre.

Craig George, photographer