In the wake of the closure of Fox Friday, a new chapter is brewing for Perth’s craft beer scene – and Rocky Ridge Brewing Co. is leading the charge. The much-loved Western Australian brewery has announced it will soon open a second Perth venue, this time in Burswood, following the acquisition of the site through a fortuitous twist of fate.
“Sometimes the best opportunities come from the most unexpected places – and that’s exactly how this next chapter starts,” Rocky Ridge said in a statement. “When Fox Friday… sadly went into administration and closed its doors, it was a tough blow for the entire craft beer community. We all feel it when one of our own has to call last drinks. But out of that setback came a silver lining…”
That silver lining came when Mountain Culture Beer Co. stepped in to acquire Fox Friday’s assets – and then casually mentioned the Burswood venue to Rocky Ridge during what was meant to be a laid back catch-up between friends.
“It honestly all started with a casual catch-up and a beer,” Rocky Ridge Founder Hamish Coates told Beer & Brewer. “DJ (McCready) and I were chatting about how things were going over east when he mentioned the Perth venue was up for grabs. Opening something south of the river had always been part of our longer-term plans – but much further down the track – so this opportunity came up a lot sooner than we expected.
“The more we talked about it, the more it felt like the perfect fit. The venue already had great bones, a solid tap system and the potential to make it our own. It just made sense – a chance to bring Rocky Ridge closer to the Perth community in an authentic and exciting way.”
While some may call it bold – or, in the Coates’ own words, “maybe a little bat-shit crazy” – the move comes just months after the successful launch of Rocky Ridge Duncraig, which has already proven a hit with Perth locals. Coates admits that juggling two venue openings in such quick succession is nerve-wracking, but the team is energised by the community’s enthusiasm.
“We’ve been absolutely blown away by the support for Rocky Ridge Duncraig, but we get that it’s not always possible to travel to visit your favourite brewery, so we want to bring a little bit of our Rocky Ridge magic to more localised communities,” Coates told Beer & Brewer. “Opening in Burswood means we can bring fresh Rocky Ridge beers closer to more people, and we’re seriously excited to keep growing as an independent, family-run brewery.”
The Burswood site, which will operate under a licence agreement with a third-party hospitality operator, is set to receive a ‘Rocky Ridge refresh’ – including expanding its existing 20-tap system over time to accommodate more fresh, limited and seasonal brews. The new space also allows the team to centralise Perth distribution, further reducing the brewery’s carbon footprint and moving them closer to their goal of Net Zero.
Beyond logistics, the venue promises an upgraded customer experience with plenty of space for functions, larger events and gigs, a dedicated kids’ area and “all-round extra awesomeness”.
While Duncraig will continue to offer a “laidback local” experience, Coates says Burswood will bring something different to the table.
“Opening Duncraig taught us a lot – especially about how much people value quality beer, great food and a genuine sense of welcome,” he told Beer & Brewer. “We learned to trust our own style and not overthink things – to let the beer and the vibe do the talking.
“Burswood will have that same core, but it’s a bigger space with potential for larger gigs, functions and more experimental events. Where Duncraig feels like your laidback local, Burswood will have a bit more energy – a space to try new things while keeping that same Rocky Ridge heart.”
Crucially, the team is conscious of the history and recent turbulence at the Burswood site, and Coates says that bringing Rocky Ridge’s signature Jindong spirit to the venue is a responsibility they don’t take lightly.
“For us, it’s all about community. Whether it’s Jindong, Busselton, Brunswick, Duncraig or now Burswood, that’s at the heart of everything we do,” Coates said. “We’re all about bringing a bit of that laid-back Jindong atmosphere into each of our venues – creating spaces where people feel welcome, relaxed and part of something local.
“We know this venue’s been through a few changes recently, so our aim is to bring some stability, care and fun back into the space. We want Burswood to feel like your local from day one – great beer, good energy and genuine connection. That’s the Rocky Ridge way.”
Construction and fit-out are already underway, with doors expected to open in late August – and Perth’s south-of-the-river beer fans won’t have to wait much longer to experience the Rocky Ridge magic.
