Hotelier Jerry Schwartz is expanding his brewing business, Sydney Brewery, with a view to rapidly accelerating production of craft beers, ciders and spirits, servicing his network of 15 hotels.
On Monday, Schwartz Family Company (SFC) announced the acquisition of Rocks Brewing Company, including its 20hL production facilities and restaurant/bar, in Alexandria, Sydney.
Rocks Brewing, which entered voluntary administration in October 2024, will be incorporated into Sydney Brewery’s operations, and rebranded as Sydney Brewery Alexandria.
Sydney Brewery currently operates a brewpub and bistro on Albion Street in Surry Hills, as part of SFC-owned Rydges Sydney Central, as well as a 18hL production facility at Lovedale in the Hunter Valley. The Lovedale premises is set to expand further with the opening of an additional 30hL Brewhouse by Easter, which will more than double its production capacity, Schwartz revealed.
Sydney Brewery’s expansion follows a difficult year for the craft brewing industry, which saw a number of breweries, taprooms and brewpubs close their doors.
With SFC’s network of 15 hotels in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Victoria, among its growing customer base, Schwartz is confident that Sydney Brewery will go from strength to strength.
“What makes the difference for Sydney Brewery is our hotel network,” Schwartz told HM exclusively.
“Our extensive range of restaurants and bars feature Sydney Brewery beers and ciders prominently, and because they are good – often award-winning – we have a built-in audience for our beverages.
“It is not a coincidence that our Sydney hotel expansion has matched the growth of Sydney Brewery. Visitors want to taste local brews, and we capture the city’s essence with our beers and Sydney Cider.”
Schwartz is hopeful that the Alexandria site can emulate the success of the Surry Hills location.
“[Sydney Brewery Surry Hills] is a very popular venue for [Rydges] hotel guests, but its direct street frontage also resonates strongly with local Sydneysiders,” Schwartz told HM.
“We believe that we can make Sydney Brewery Alexandria similarly popular with locals and visitors.”
Sydney Brewery plans to sell the remainder of the Rocks Brewing stock before commencing production of the Sydney Brewery range from the Alexandria site.
“By the time [all facilities are] operational, our potential capacity will have increased to over half a million litres of craft beers, ciders and spirits across our various breweries,” Schwartz said.
“We are ramping up production while many craft brewers are struggling to survive, and our takeover of the Rocks Brewery operation will provide an outstanding opportunity to both increase the amount of Sydney Brewery craft beers that we produce and also revive the Alexandria location as a prime brewpub, dining, entertainment and functions venue
“We will revamp the menu, the drinks selection and the entertainment over the next few months. The Brewpub is currently operating and will officially relaunch with its new branding and menus in mid-March.”
The expansion of Sydney Brewery is the latest in Schwart Family Company’s hospitality and tourism investments, with the business recently announcing the planned takeover of Sydney Seaplanes.