The boss of Coopers Brewery has been appointed president of the brewing and distilling industries’ largest global body.

Tim Cooper, managing director of the largest Australian-owned beer company, will serve a one-year term at the head of the 5,000-member Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

Dr Cooper, who is also head brewer at the family-run South Australian firm, says the industry is going through a resurgence thanks to the popularity of craft beer.

‘Craft breweries and distillers are opening across the world on a daily basis and this has led to the situation where demand for qualified brewers and brewery workers has reached unprecedented levels,’ said Dr Cooper, who was already vice president of the IBD.

‘The IBD is about improving the education and understanding of everyone involved in or entering the industry and helping to underpin the quality of the beers being developed.’

 

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Brewers Association of Australia chief executive Brett Heffernan said Dr Cooper’s appointment underlined Australia’s position as a world leader in brewing.

‘Tim is a living legend, respected by all across the entire alcohol industry and he brings with him a wealth of experience to the leadership of IBD, along with a dedication to excellence that will serve the industry well into the future,’ he said.