History
The heritage-listed Beenleigh Rum Distillery is the oldest registered distillery in Australia, and is a rare survivor of Australia's early sugar industry. It commenced operations in 1884, and was the legal successor to a floating moonshine still, the SS Walrus, which drifted between cane plantations evading police in the early 19th century.
The distillery was developed to include a blending hall, bottling plant, warehouse and administration facilities. It is located on the bank of the Albert River in Eagleby, Queensland (once a part of Beenleigh), and is a landmark on the river flats in the area.
Over the years, the once famous Beenleigh Rum lost its prominent place in Australia to Bundaberg Rum.
In 2003, the Beenleigh Rum brand name was sold to Vok Beverages, a subsidiary of Adelaide based beverage company Bickford's Australia. As of 2011 the brand is still owned by the 100% Australian owned company and is experiencing double digit growth.
The historic Beenleigh Rum Distillery was sold to rival Inner Circle Rum in 2001 for $2.7 million. Inner Circle was, in turn, purchased by multinational Lion Nathan in 2007. Lion Nathan now uses the Beenleigh distillery to produce rum under the Inner Circle rum brand.
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