Coopers Brewery is an Australian family-owned brewery founded by Thomas Cooper in Adelaide, South Australia, in 1862. He recorded his first batch of ale on May 13 of that year using an old family recipe. The beer was originally made as a restorative drink for his sick wife Ann, while demand among friends and neighbors encouraged the development of commercial production. After the founder’s death, four of his sons continued the business, establishing a family management tradition that now spans six generations. Coopers is regarded as Australia’s oldest brewery still owned and operated by its founding family. It is also the country’s largest independent family-owned brewery. The company is particularly known for naturally conditioned ales and stouts that undergo secondary fermentation after being packaged in bottles, cans, or kegs. A small quantity of proprietary yeast is added before packaging to consume residual sugars and produce carbonation naturally. This process allows the beers to be made without pasteurization, preservatives, or other additives intended to extend shelf life. The distinctive Coopers yeast strain has been maintained and passed down through several generations of brewers. The company produces ales, stout, lagers, and alcohol-free beers, as well as malt, brewing extracts, and home-brewing products. Its best-known beers include Original Pale Ale, Sparkling Ale, and Best Extra Stout. The modern production complex in the Adelaide suburb of Regency Park officially opened in November 2001 following the relocation from the former Leabrook site. An on-site maltings facility was completed in 2017, while later investments included a microbrewery, distillery, and visitor center. Coopers currently produces more than 90 million liters of beer annually and remains one of the most prominent independent producers in the Australian brewing industry.