This Formula One racer would like to buy you a beer

If you happen to spot Formula One driver Valtteri Bottas in an Australian pub this summer, you should insist he buys you a beer. 

The Finnish driver, who spends his off-season in Australia, is taking up a summer job with his favourite brewery: Adelaide-based Coopers Brewery. 

Coopers has handed Bottas a Coopers Gold Card, unlocking free Coopers beer around the country - meaning the beers could be on him for punters who spot the Cadillac racing driver in a Coopers venue this summer. 

Bottas has twice finished runner-up in the World Drivers' Championship - in 2019 and 2020 with Mercedes, and has won 10 Grands Prix in total.

Since February 2020, Bottas has been in a relationship with Australian cyclist Tiffany Cromwell and they have a home in McLaren Vale, outside Adelaide.

 

He has been newly appointed as a "Coopers’ Quality Assurance Trainee", tasked with visiting pubs to conduct taste testing of Coopers beers. 

As part of this he will be on the lookout for ultimate freshness, keg quality and perfect pour. 

Bottas, who says his favourite beer is Coopers Australian Lager, visited Coopers Brewery in Regency Park, South Australia, after the Singapore Grand Prix for an induction, training and his own taste test with the Coopers brewing team in the $70m restaurant and microbrewery on site. 

Coopers Brewery managing director Michael Shearer said: “We’re honoured that Valtteri is a huge fan of Coopers, which made him the natural appointment to take on the task of tasting our ice-cold Coopers beer in venues across Australia this summer. 

“We are delighted he has taken on the role and expect he will be tapping his Coopers Gold Card frequently as he pops up in pubs nationally. 

“Fans should keep their eyes on Bottas’ socials as we know he has plans to invite fans to have a beer with him this summer. 

It's a marketing exercise - but a fun one. 

“I think Coopers is the best beer in the world and I’ve been a fan of the brand for a long time," Bottas said. 

"I’m very honoured to have this job. I tasted Coopers when I first came to Adelaide in 2020 and I fell in love with the taste. 

“I’ve travelled a lot and I always try the local stuff. With Coopers, it’s just the taste, the way they make it and the story of being family owned.” 

# Founded in 1862, Coopers Brewery is a sixth-generation Australian family company and the nation’s largest independent brewer. 

Coopers goes dark for its new Vintage Ale

Australia’s largest independent brewery, Coopers, has gone for innovation and given a nod to its craft beer heritage in the hop selection for its annual Vintage Ale.

Each year, the Coopers brewing team creates a unique, premium-quality craft-style beer with a distinctive blend of hops, a release which is awaited by beer lovers around the country.

The 2026 Vintage Ale features an experimental hop - HBC-1134 - delivering floral, citrus and herbal characters, alongside the US hop Krush, with distinct aromas of navel orange, supported by peach, berries, ripe mango, guava and lychee.

The result is promised to be "a smooth and creamy palate featuring fruit-forward flavours of mango, passionfruit and stone fruit which balances the woody notes and malty flavour for which Vintage Ale is renowned".

Coopers managing director Michael Shearer said 2026 Vintage Ale continues the Adelaide brewery's tradition of releasing a full-bodied, extra-strong seasonal ale that is perfectly suited to cold weather drinking.

“Vintage Ale has developed a legion of fans over the decades and we expect this year’s release to be well received by loyal Coopers drinkers,” he said.

“Full of rich and complex flavours, the 2026 brew is a special strong, dark ale which drinks exceptionally well and will pair excellently with hearty winter meals.

“While it’s ready to enjoy right away, Vintage Ale can also be cellared to allow its malty characters to develop and patience is certainly rewarded for those who are willing to wait.

“As with all vintages, Coopers 2026 Vintage Ale is a limited release and expected to be highly sought after, so we encourage fans to secure their carton early.”

This year’s release marks the 26th in Coopers Brewery’s Vintage Ale series since its inception in 1998.

With an ABV of 7.5%, Coopers 2026 Vintage Ale will be available in 50-litre kegs and 355ml bottles from August.

The launch will also be marked with a series of Vintage Ale events held across the country in August and September. 

The verdict: It’s a dark, malty, yeasty beastie. 

Coopers unveils swish new space

Much-loved Adelaide brewery Coopers has unveiled a spectacular new $70 million home. 

Family-owned Coopers says it has “created the ultimate Australian beer experience” for visitors to its Regency Park site while also launching into whisky production for the first time in its 162-year history.

Coopers is Australia’s largest independent, family-owned brewery.

Situated adjacent to the existing brewery, the new facility features a restaurant and three bars, along with an outdoor plaza dining and family areas. 

There will aldo be a dedicated tasting room, a microbrewery, whisky distillery, history display and guided tours and underground stillage for 5000 whisky barrels. 

The doors will be open to the public from August 28. 

“This is one of the most exciting projects we’ve undertaken in the 162-year history of Coopers Brewery,” managing director Dr Tim Cooper (above) said.

“Our team has been humbled by the public’s interest, excitement and support as this impressive building has taken shape.

 “We wanted every aspect to be truly world-class and of the highest quality. It’s a significant, long-term investment by our family company and our vote of confidence in the future of Coopers and Australia’s manufacturing industry. 

“Coopers is very proud to have created a highly unique and immersive experience that ultimately celebrates the very best of Australian beer. We look forward to welcoming visitors from across Australia and overseas into our new home.” 

The new microbrewery will allow Coopers to experiment with craft beer styles which will be made available to the public. 

Given the extended timeline for spirit maturation, it will likely be a few years before Coopers’ first whisky is available for consumption. 

For more information and to book a tour or lunch go to www.coopers.com.au

Another new imported beer: but this one is a ripper

I will declare first-up that I am a sucker for Japanese lager-style beers. Asahi Super Dry is a particular favourite. 

I've just tasted another Japanese premium beer for the first time - and I really enjoyed Yebisu Premium, which is being imported from Tokyo by the Coopers Brewery team.

With a history dating back to 1890, Yebisu is apparently one of Japan’s most prestigious beers. 

Made exclusively in Japan, Yebisu is crafted with selected ingredients from Sapporo Breweries Collaborative Farms. 

It is brewed adhering to the Reinheitsgebot, the historic Bavarian Purity Law, to deliver a rich malty beer experience but it still has that characteristic Japanese freshness and liveliness on the palate. 

The 500-year-old purity law stipulates that only three ingredients can be used: water, malt and hops. Yeast is the fourth ingredient that is now allowed. 

Yebisu’s extra malt and longer brewing process result in a medium-bodied golden lager that is extremely refreshing and went very well with a bowl of peanuts and the first session of the third day of the second Ashes test. 

Yebisu brand manager Chris Levey says Japanese beer continues to premiumise the beer category and grow in popularity with Australian drinkers. 

“Yebisu is a symbol of Japan’s unwavering commitment to quality and craft, meeting the intersection of Australian drinkers’ desire for exploration and discovery and their attraction to true originals and authenticity,” he said in a perfect example of corporate speak. 

 

Coopers has enjoyed great success with Sapporo Premium Beer, which achieved double digit volume growth in the 12 months to August 2021. 

“We expect the introduction of Yebisu will drive further interest in the Japanese beer segment, appealing to a broad range of discerning beer drinkers seeking discovery, quality and authenticity, and a richer, more rewarding flavour experience,” Levey droned on. 

Distributed in a 4 x 350ml can format. Yebisu is available from all First Choice Liquor stores and selected Liquorland and Vintage Cellars outlets nationally as well as independent retailers and on-premise locations.