Hopped Up brewery sale lures keen beer lovers

Ralph Herbort hopes he has a Hopped Up beer in the near future.

But he will sip it with a heavy heart.

The Wangara-based brewery has been Herbort’s labour of love for five years, building the idea from a concept into a 12HL operation that had gained traction in the WA beer market.

But breweries don’t only sap your time, they also rip into your bank balance. And following the recent passing of his father, a major part of the business, Herbort doesn’t have the financial capacity to continue the operation.

So in a rarity for the WA brewing scene, Hopped Up Brewing is for sale. The inventory, goodwill, recipes, equipment, even the name is open for purchase.

“The brewery has massive potential,” Herbort, the brewery owner told The Sip this week. “We have had a bit of interest from prospective buyers and there really isn’t a better chance at owning a fully set-up brewery.

“We looked at every option at trying to keep it running but following Dad’s passing we have complicated financial situation and can’t sustain it anymore.

“I hope whoever buys the brewery goes on to make some great beers, possibly under the Hopped Up label, and I’ll be happy to sit back and enjoy them. I just won’t be us making them unfortunately.”

Hopped Up was just coming into its prime. Its rise was highlighted by winning the Best New Exhibitor Trophy at the 2018 Perth Royal Beer Show.

Under the guidance of head brewer Florian von Guttenberg, a product of the old Swan Brewery, Hopped Up had found favour with its Freddy’s Pilsner, Guru IPA and Mocha Bock.

Apart from the steam-fire brewhouse, the sale includes six fermenters totalling 10,000 litres, a cool room with four storage tanks with 14,000 litres of capacity, a canning line capable of pushing through 2000 cans per hour and a semi-automated keg washer.

“It is ready and waiting for a new owner,” Herbort said. “It is a turnkey opportunity. Whoever buys it on the Friday can take the keys and open it up on the Monday.”

The asking price for the brewery is $480,000 and Herbort said he had had considerable interest from interested buyers.

The location of Hopped Up is also appealing as there aren’t too many breweries north of the river. Indeed, before the establishment of the Whitfords Brewing Company in 2017, Hopped Up was the only beer maker between the Perth CBD and Indian Ocean Brewery in the far northern suburb of Mindarie.

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