Gage Roads Brewing Company has appointed a new national sales and marketing manager as well as announcing the rollout of its AIBA 2016 Champion Australian Beer, Little Dove.

Scott Player, formerly national head of sales at Matso’s Broome Brewery and Little Creatures, will take up the posting at Gage Roads.

He will already be familiar with the Gage Roads business, with Matso’s having been a long-term contract brewing customer of the Palmyra, WAcompany.

“Scott has a proven track record in developing national sales capabilities and delivering growth of multiple craft beer brands, notably taking Little Creatures to number one in the category and executing the sales and distribution strategy for Matso’s driving their niche product into the top 10 craft brands nationally,” Gage Roads said.

Gage Roads managing director John Hoedemaker said the company had also recently appointed a new sales and marketing representative in New South Wales, and is re-locating its on-premise sales manager to Melbourne to take on a national role.

Little Dove demand surging
Gage Roads said it had accelerated supply of Little Dove to Victoria and New South Wales, in response to overwhelming demand for the AIBA Champion Australian Beer.

“The company is expecting to commence bottling of Little Dove in Q1 FY17 in time for the summer period,” it said.