Little Creatures spreads beer wings to San Francisco

The Little Creatures juggernaut continues with the WA-founded brewery opening its first United States venue in bustling San Francisco.

The 26-tap hospitality premises in the city's Mission Bay area confirms Little Creature's status as Australia's flagship international beer brand.

It follows the brewery's entry into Hong Kong, Shanghai and most recently London.

But there is a sense of irony about Little Creatures cracking the US market. The brewery's Fremantle base was used as the dock for Kookaburra III during the America's Cup series in 1987. It was beaten by the Californian challenger Stars and Stripes.

More than 30 years later the beer operation that grew from the facility is taking on the craft brewing market in the States.

Little Creatures is now owned by Australian beer giant, Lion.

The San Francisco venue includes a micro-brewery and it will also sell a core range of beers imported from Australia.

Little Creatures Mission Bay is adjacent to Oracle Park (home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team) and near the soon to be opened Chase Center (home of the Golden State Warriors basketball team) and fits into the city's emerging entertainment precinct.

Fresh beer from "tank to tap” is key at the new venue with bright beer tanks connected directly to the beer founts putting guests within arm’s reach of the brewing process.

Luke Higgins, Lion’s Commercial Operations Director, said: “San Francisco has an array of great craft brewers and passionate beer consumers so it’s the perfect launch pad for introducing Little Creatures to the US.

"The craft beer market in the US is showing signs of a very positive future. In 2018, craft beer sales were up 4% by volume and retail sales were up 7% to $27.6bn so it’s a good market to be in.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing Little Creatures Mission Bay become part of the craft beer community on the west coast of the US and we’re excited to see it already creating a buzz. The new venue will be all about introducing the famous Little Creatures beers and hospitality to a new part of the world and ensure the locals over here enjoy it as much as we know the Little Creatures global community does.”

Little Creatures Mission Bay is located at 1000a 3rd Street, San Francisco.