The Australian craft beer scene continues from strength to strength in recent years and the team behind the independent Gage Roads Brew Co is one of the best examples of this home-grown success. Joining the ranks of these malt masters is none other than current World Surf League number-one and all-around legend Jack Robinson, who hasn’t simply signed up as an ambassador but committed himself as a new part-owner at Gage Roads.
Growing up in WA’s own Margaret River, Robinson’s success on a surfboard has accelerated over the last couple of years, winning the Australian Surfing Awards surfer of the year back to back in 2020 and 2021, before finishing the World Surf League CT World Tour in 2022 at a career-best third overall. More recently, Robinson won the 2023 Billabong Pro Pipeline event in Hawaii and is returning Down Under to compete at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach this weekend. Spending much of his life a few hours south of the Gage Roads location just outside of Fremantle, the partnership between Jack Robinson and his local brewery is a natural one built on a zest for great times and even better beer.
“While Gage is all about good beers and good times, they’re also committed to the surf community and the environment,” said Robinson about the partnership. “They’ve long backed surf events like Single Fin Festival in Burleigh, and the Whalebone Classic in WA. Outside of that, Gage runs regular beach cleans across the country with the environmental group Tangaroa Blue. I’m proud to be part of the Gage crew,” says Jack.
Understandably, Gage Roads Head of Brand and Strategy Aaron Heary is equally keen on the announcement and welcoming Robinson into the fold, not only because he’s a passionate surfer himself, but because of the strength of the relationship. In an adventure that any surfer would love to tag along on, Jack and the Gage crew have a remote surf trip locked in for later this year.
“We’ve always been involved with the surf community, whether it’s been sponsoring events or getting in the water ourselves, said Heary. “So, to be able to get behind Jack, and help him give it a real shake in 2023 is epic.
“Initially, discussions with Jack revolved around a more traditional sponsorship deal, but after sharing a few beers together down at Gage Roads Freo last year we both got pretty excited about how a longer-term partnership might work, and so taking some ownership in the parent company Good Drinks Australia made a lot of sense.”
