Historical information

In 1872 William Tulloch and Alexander McLaren constructed a new brick 'Royal Standard Brewery' to the design of architect Henry R. Caselli. They had been operating a much smaller 'Royal Standard' Brewery, possibly since 1859.
The Ballarat Brewing Company was established in 1895 and took over operations of the 'Royal Standard'. This new company resulted in the merger of the 'Royal Standard Brewery', James Coglans 'Phoenix Brewery' (Warrenheip) and Henry Leggo's 'Barley Sheaf Brewery' (Creswick Rd). J. Coglan and W. Tulloch were principals of the new company.
By 1912 the Ballarat Brewery buildings fronting Armstrong Street were upgraded and new plant installed. Ballarat Brewing Company was well established as a thriving business.
In 1926 'Ballarat Bertie' (the cellar-man) advertising image was introduced. It was used successfully until 1994 on 'Ballarat Bitter' labels.
During the1940s and 50s the Ballarat Brewing Company was significantly upgraded and extended equipment and buildings.
In 1959 Carlton and United Breweries purchased the Ballarat Brewery, its brewing rights and the land (but not the 114 BBC hotels or the Dana Street offices). The Lydiard Street frontage become the 'front' of the CUB Brewery.
CUB ceased brewing at the Ballarat Brewery site in 1989 and closed the plant. Four years later the 'brewery site' was purchased by the Ballarat School of Mines to enlarge its campus area as TAFE was a rapidly expanding areas of education.
In 1994 plans were developed for the 'Brewery Complex' with careful regard for needed educational facilities and due concern regarding historical aspects of the site and its buildings. There was close consultation and cooperation with the Ballarat City Council during the planning process. In 1995 most of the Brewery buildings were demolished by some special structures and features are preserved. The old brewery chimney was retained as a permanent reminder of the original industrial site, as were two boilers. The SMB Brewery Complex was completed in 1996 and reflects aspects of the former brewery's appearance. It was opened by Prime Minister John Howard on 28 February 1997.

Further details at http://guerin.ballarat.edu.au/curator/buildings/site_listing_brewery-complex.shtml

Physical description

Twenty five colour photographs of the Brewery Building at the University of Ballarat SMB (Ballarat School of Mines) campus. The Brewery Building is built on the site of the former Ballarat Brewery and incorporates the chimney and 'Cowley' boilers from that site.