Spinifex Brewing Co, part of Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA), has shipped its first batch of beers to Peru.

The first consignment includes a selection of ales and ginger beer along with Lima Light, a custom Peruvian product developed in collaboration with the Peruvian Horse Association.

Spinifex Brewing Co-Director John Gibbs said Peru was a natural choice due to its strong indigenous history, and came after a series of tasting masterclasses were held in the country.

“Spinifex Co-Director Mick Little is an Australian First Nations leader from the Yamatji and Noongar nations who works closely with the indigenous community in the region, consequently having a significant influence on the work of Spinifex,” Mr Gibbs said.

“The opportunity with Peru involved extensive market research and more than 40 focus group tasting sessions with Peru’s leading sommeliers and restaurants. They love the beer.”

FIPWA General Manager Chris Vas said this first shipment had taken FIPWA a year to bed down but provided a huge boost to the value-adding capability of the Western Australian agrifood and beverage sector.

“It’s an exciting time for this start-up and a joy to see it grow from a little craft beer company into an international supplier,” he said.

“Exporting to Peru has opened up opportunities for increased local production and local employment will grow through such developments.

“This milestone instils confidence in the aspiration of FIPWA to enable WA food and beverage business growth, scaling up of production and carving out new markets for WA products.”

Spinifex Brewing Co’s core range incorporates native Australian botanicals and includes Myrtle Summer Ale, Geraldton Wax Ginger Beer and Western Australian Pale Ale, along with non-alcoholic brews such as Gubinge Ginger Beer.

The company has been kicking goals since it joined FIPWA in 2021 – it recently opened its Cable Beach brewery after the development of its Brewing Facility at FIPWA.