Thomas Coopers first wife Ann, was an Innkeeper’s daughter so she knew a thing or two about brewing. In fact, when Ann became ill Thomas used her recipe, which she acquired from her father, as a tonic for his beloved wife. This tonic went on to become the now world famous Sparkling Ale.

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Thomas Cooper’s first recorded brew was designated brew “A”. According to his brewing log, dated 13th May 1862, “A” contained four bushels of Malt and eight pounds of Kent hops in 46 gallons of water, which he made into a Pale Ale and a slightly heavier Ale.

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Thomas Cooper’s first occupation in Adelaide was as a bootmaker in the small village of Kensington, three miles east of the city. He plied his original trade a few doors down from the Rising Sun Inn where, in later years, he’d get his foot in the door with his very own Ales.

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It may come as a surprise but as well as being a brewer Thomas Cooper was also a lay Preacher. This was all above aboard. In the mid 1900s the Methodists praised the brewing of beer as a respectable trade, which “provided the working man with good, wholesome malt liquor.”

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Thomas Cooper, his wife Ann and their two children set sail for Australia from Plymouth, England aboard the SS Omega on the 29th May 1852. The treacherous sea voyage took 86 days and seemed like an eternity but they finally reached the sunny shores of Adelaide on the 24th August. 86 Days Pilsner pays homage to the journey Thomas took to make a fresh start for his family. It’s golden in colour with subtle malty sweetness and elegant refined herbal notes, a refreshingly clean, crisp bitter finish and rich frothy head. Thankfully, it will take you a lot less than 86 days to make it.

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In 1968 Coopers brewed their first ever lager under the moniker ‘Gold Crown.’ A delicate, less sweet beer of the Dortmunder type, it was an overwhelming success and heralded a new era for the brewery.

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