The Hahn Brewing Co was formed in late 1986 with four partners - Dr. Charles W Hahn, David Shearer, Robert Pongrass and John Paterson. The partners developed a detailed investment proposal and business plan that was presented to prospective financiers in early 1987, and a major financial partner was found who took up 60% shareholding.  This venture capital company  sold out less than two years later and was replaced by Stephen Woods who had been the original founder of the Liquorland chain of bottleshops.  He provided the necessary sales/ marketing expertise and additional funding to take the company to new levels.  He and Hahn later bought out the other three partners.

 

The old factory site in inner-suburban Camperdown, Sydney was purchased in June 1987, and the conversion of two old warehouses into an operating brewery began.  The major tankage (including 40-year-old German Steinecker copper kettles) arrived from New Zealand in September 1987 and installation commenced.  The first brew was made in January 1988.  Hahn Brewing Co began trading in March 1988 with a single brand, Hahn Premium Lager in both draught and 335ml bottles.

 

In 1988, Hahn's strategy was to be a local brewer of premium beer for the Sydney market only.  It was felt that the key to the success of the brewery was to create a traditional style brewer, both in terms of the quality of the product and close relationships with small volume, high quality, retail outlets based in the Sydney region.  The Hahn Brewery continued to grow under this strategy until in 1991 when it was producing 1.3 million litres with its Hahn Premium and Hahn Premium Light brands. 

 

However, when the full effect of the recession hit in 1991, and premium beer sales plummeted across the industry, Hahn was forced to re-evaluate this strategy.  In early 1991 Sydney Bitter was launched, Hahn Brewery's first mainstream beer move.  Hahn Sydney Bitter quickly reached sales of over 1.5 million litres - more than doubling Hahn Brewery volume in the first year.  However, whereas Sydney Bitter helped stem the losses due to premium decline with the recession, the plant was never big enough to achieve the economies of scale needed to keep the banks happy. 

 

In February 93, Lion Nathan purchased Hahn Breweries Ltd. and all of its brands for an undisclosed amount.   Whilst all Hahn brands are now brewed elsewhere, the old Hahn Brewery remains, rebranded as Malt Shovel Brewery, and it continues to turn out millions of litres of quality beers under Chuck Hahn's direction.

 

Dr Charles (Chuck) Hahn's name is synonymous with high quality and innovation in brewing. From early 1984 to mid 1987, Chuck Hahn was a brewing consultant and the technical manager for New Zealand Breweries Ltd., Auckland, New Zealand.  He was responsible for the maintenance of quality brewing programs at their six plants and the management of all capital projects in their $35 million modernization program.  From 1981 to 1983, Chuck Hahn was head of brewing for Tooth Breweries Ltd., Sydney, Australia.  He had management responsibility for beer production, quality control, and R&D during their $100 million redevelopment program.  Prior to that he was with the Coors Brewing Co., Golden CO, for ten years in a variety of quality control, brewing research & development and engineering positions.  He received his Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines , Golden, Colorado, in 1971.

 

From late 1987 to early 1993, Chuck spent 5 years establishing and carving out a niche in the market for Hahn Breweries.  Once Lion Nathan purchased Hahn Breweries Chuck was appointed Chief Brewer and had brewing quality responsibilites for Lion Nathan's ten breweries in New Zealand, Australia and China.  Staying true to his original passion, Hahn also spent much of his time spreading the Hahn name and promoting a whole range of products that Lion Nathan had developed under his guidance, including Hahn Gold which was awarded gold for best midstrength at Brewex in 1995, Hahn Ice (Australian International Beer Awards Championship Trophy in 1994), and Hahn Longbrew (reduced calorie beer).

 

In October 1998 with Lion Nathan's backing, Chuck moved on to establish his latest microbrewery - The Malt Shovel Brewery. The old Hahn Brewery in Camperdown has been rebranded the Malt Shovel brewery and is successfully brewing a range of premium beer styles.  The James Squires range which is now distributed through Lion Nathan and available nationally includes many unique premium beer styles (ales, porters, stouts) which previously mostly came from overseas and were not freshly brewed for Australia.  These beers are linked back to those traditional beer styles brewed by James Squire, Australia's first brewer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hahn Premium was launched in 1988 as the flagship brand for the Hahn Brewery by Master Brewer Chuck Hahn.  In it's first year on the market, Hahn Premium sold  60,000 cases.  Re-launched in 1996, Hahn Premium took on a new look with its now distinct green bottle design, new graphics and updated brew developed by Chuck Hahn to match the subtleties of the Australian palate.  Distribution gradually expanded throughout Australia, and in November 1997, the volume quadrupled to 230,000 cases, and to 600,000 in 1998.

 

Hahn Premium "Dining Serve" (700ml) was launched in 1999.  Hahn Premium sales had another great year and were pushed to the 1 million case mark.

 

In 2002, as Hahn Premium enters its 15th year as one of Australia's finest beers,  brand sales are fast approaching 2 million cases reflecting the brand's ever increasing popularity.

 

Hahn Premium has received international recognition and has been awarded the following in recent years: