Boag's Brewery
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Boag's Brewery (J. Boag & Son) is an Australian brewery company founded in 1883 by James Boag and his son, also named James, in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. It is now owned by Lion, a Trans-Tasman subsidiary company of Japanese beverage conglomerate, Kirin. All of the company's beers are produced in Launceston.
History
19th century
James Boag I arrived in Australia with his wife, Janet, and their four children in 1853 from Scotland.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They first arrived in Melbourne aboard the ship 'Sea' <ref>prov.vic.gov.au Index to Unassisted passenger lists to Victoria 1852-1923</ref>. before arriving in Tasmania abord the ship 'Clarence' <ref>Hobarton Guardian,or, True Friend of Tasmania Wed 6 Jul 1853</ref> It has been cited in the past J Boag spent 'a few months on the goldfields' but he is being confused with a J Boag John Boag who is shown as a signatory in the Bendigo Goldfields Petition,<ref<Bendigo Goldfields Petition; eurkepedia/ref> After arriving in Tasmania James I took up employment with John Fawns where he remained as brewer and manager for 27 years.<ref>Obituary Mr. James Boag The Tasmanian 15 Nov 1890</ref> James II was in partnership with John Glenwright at the Cataract Brewery and after James I left the employ of Fawns he and his son, James II bought the Esk Brewery.<ref>Obituary Mr James Boag The Tasmanian 15 Nov 1890</ref> James I became the licensee of the All Year Round Hotel and also the Union Inn on George St <ref>the Cornwall Chronicle Wed 3 Dec 1862</ref>
In 1881, the Esk Brewery was established on the banks of the North Esk River in Launceston by Charles Stammers Button. John Fawns died, and James Boag III was born. In 1883, James I and his son took over the Esk Brewery.<ref name="CTHS">Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies (2006) "Boag Family", in The Companion to Tasmanian History</ref> J. Boag & Son was officially formed in 1883, as the partnership between James Boag I and his son, to operate the brewery.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> The company's initial output was seven hogsheads of beer weekly.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The name 'Esk Brewery' was retained, although 'Boag's Brewery' became a frequent reference.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1887, James Boag II began management of the company on the retirement of his father. A new malthouse was built and weekly production had increased to more than 500 hogsheads, with the brewery employing a 30 members of staff.
In 1898, J. Boag & Son purchased the Cornwall Brewery and amalgamated it with the Esk Brewery; James Boag I died in 1890.
20th century
James Boag II died in 1919 and was succeeded by James Boag III who had been training at Tooth and Co.'s brewery in Sydney.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In 1924, James Boag III retired temporarily from the company, and returned in 1930 as Managing Director, a position he held until his death in 1944. His obituary in the Examiner reported: "Having been closely connected with business and sporting activities, Mr Boag was known and respected by a wide circle of friends. At the time of his death, he was Managing Director of J. Boag & Son Limited and a Director of Tasmanian Breweries Pty Limited."
George Boag, James III's second son, took over James' seat on the Board; he was the last Boag working in the business, retiring in 1976 after the death of his wife.
Since 2000
In 2000, San Miguel Corporation acquired J. Boag & Son (previously a publicly listed company) for $92 million.<ref name="Asia times 2000">Template:Cite web</ref> The existing Tasmanian management was retained to continue running the company; production had increased annually for the previous 3 years and this growth was planned to continue.
In 2004, Boag's Brewery was expanded to occupy the complete block enclosed by William, Tamar and Shield Streets and The Esplanade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
San Miguel sold J. Boag & Son to Lion Nathan Ltd in November 2007 for $325 million.<ref name="The Age Nov 2007">Template:Cite news</ref>
As of 2010 J. Boag and Son employed over 150 people and produced over Template:Convert of beer annually.Template:Citation needed
James Boag Brewery Experience
Template:No sources section Opening in 1826 and originally named The Lame Dog Hotel; the building would go on to be known as The Golden Lion, The Prince Albert, The Prince Alfred, and finally The Tamar Hotel. The building was bought by The James Boag Brewery in the late 1990s and restored to house the James Boag Brewery Experience (previously Boags Centre for Beer Lovers), from which the James Boag Brewery run daily tours, 7 days a week, as well as a function centre, cafe, and beer garden.
Awards
Australian International Beer Awards
- 2021 - Best Reduced / Low Alcohol Beer – James Boag’s Premium Light
James Boag's Premium
- 1997-2008: Gold medal – International Monde Selection
- 2007: Crystal Prestige Award – International Monde Selection
- 2001-2005: Premium Beer of the Year – Australian Liquor Industry Awards
- 2005: Gold medal – New Zealand International Beer Awards
- 2000: Gold medal – Australian International Beer Awards
- 2021-22: Gold medal - Australia’s most premium beer
- 2021-22: Frostiest Beer of the Year - Botanic Park Premium Council
- 2022-22: Frostiest Beer of the Year - Botanic Park Premium Council (unanimous decision)
See also
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References
Notes
Bibliography
External links
- J Boag & Son
- Boag's Draught
- Boag's history at sportandhistory.com
- Pages with broken file links
- Kirin brands
- Australian beer brands
- Food and drink companies established in 1883
- Buildings and structures in Launceston, Tasmania
- Beer brewing companies based in Tasmania
- Tasmanian Heritage Register
- Companies based in Tasmania
- Australian companies established in 1883
- Culture of Tasmania