Queensland’s Bargara Brewing Co is the latest Australian craft brewery to sign with an international airline.

Bargara’s entire range is now available in Cathay Pacific’s business Reef Lounge at Cairns International Airport, with the potential to expand.

“At this stage, we’re in the Reef Lounge in Cairns International Airport at Cathay Pacific and potentially moving on to the airline at a later stage,” Queensland Sales Manager Bonnie explains.

Owners Jack and Jacinta Milbank moved to Australia from South Africa. Having only been operating for three years, Bargara’s rapid growth and export successes have caught the attention of the Queensland Government.

This follows its exports to China and South Korea, with pending exports to several other countries later this year.

“We’ve recently been exporting to China and South Korea,” Daly says.

“At this stage we do five container loads a year, potentially building up to more.”

She said that Bargara has had great success with the local Queensland market as well.

“Recently we’ve been focusing up northbound, up near Cairns, Townsville and Port Douglas.”

“We’re really proud citizens of the reef, which is perhaps what’s given us a leg up.”

Cathay Pacific’s interest in partnering with an Australian craft beer brand, follows Singapore Airlines partnership with Green Beacon in September last year, followed by BentSpoke Brewing Co in October.

Daly says that signing with an international airline is great exposure for any brewery wanting to get into that area, and it grows your business.

“It’s good exposure for Australia.”

“We’ve got a red ale Rusty Roo, which showcases to international visitors what we have here in Australia.”

Other beers in the range include names like Thirsty Turtle, Drunk Fish and Ray XPA.