Our milestones - 1839 to today

From our very first Strawberry Jam to our latest release, we’ve been infusing love and passion into everything created on the Beerenberg Family Farm. Here we share some of our favourite milestones.

2019
Our mission is to enrich people’s lives through taste and with over 90 products in the range, we know we’re getting there. Beerenberg Strawberry Jam is still our best selling product, with Caramelised Onion coming a close second.

We also have 85 employees (most of them Adelaide Hills residents) and a brand new factory on our Hahndorf farm - all set for the future! And just quietly, the big overall plan is to become known as an iconic Australian brand internationally. But that’s between us and the garden post.
2018
Getting ready for the future

Ready to take on the world.
The new factory

Beerenberg expands with a major office/warehouse/factory development.
2013
A whole new look

Beerenberg rebrand pays off.
In 2013 the business undertakes a major rebranding to herald our quality and authenticity in provenance.

The rebrand quickly pays off with total domestic sales increasing significantly, the strongest increases in demand being from New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. This is a major breakthrough in the family business’ efforts to become a truly national brand.

Jams all round!
2000
In full swing

Beerenberg expands their range and moves into major and independent supermarkets across Australia.
New product development goes into full swing now, particularly in the condiments and dressings categories.

Along with an exclusive, purpose made jar to enhance the brand’s shelf presence, the range takes pride of place in independent supermarkets, Coles, Woolworths and specialised gourmet stores.

2008 marks the addition of a brand new Marketing Manager, introducing Grant and Carol’s youngest, Sally. A truly family business!
1990
The next generation

Sixth generation Anthony and Robert Paech take on senior positions in the family business.
Inspired by the heritage green with gold trim of the famous Princes St bridge in Melbourne, Grant introduces a more premium look to the retail range.

Business goes from strength to strength and in 1999, Grant and Carol pass ‘Grandma’s pan’ over to their sons – the sixth generation to be involved. Robert becomes Farm Manager, while Anthony becomes Managing Director.
1980
Beerenberg takes flight

A new purpose-built shop and factory is constructed on the property.
A brand new, purpose-built shop and factory is constructed on the property. The original tin shed is turned into a farm workshop.

In 1987, Beerenberg jam takes flight, literally! Grant reads a newspaper article that mentions Qantas is serving imported jams to their first-class passengers. Grant makes a call and Qantas trials his Australian-made Beerenberg jams, then awards him the contract. The first automated filling machine for the mini jars is installed – handmade is one thing, but hand poured?
1975
The first shop

Beerenberg introduce new varieties of jams, sauces, chutneys and pickled onions.
In the spirit of mouth-watering ideas, Grant and Carol pioneer a ‘pick your own strawberries’ concept and within a short time, Beerenberg becomes a busy tourist destination for visitors and locals alike.

And it keeps growing... The success of the farm and in particular, the jam, lead the Paechs to plant even more strawberries. With the help of local farmer’s wives, they introduce new varieties of jams, followed by sauces, chutneys and pickled onions.
1971
The first jam

The Paechs start to make strawberry jam.
All of these fresh strawberries allow for the best idea of all, the introduction of strawberry jam. Cooked in the Paech family kitchen and complete with handmade labels, these pots of jam are ripe for sale.

They just need a name. Over to Grant, who, with help from a friend, cooks up the name Beerenberg, meaning ‘Berry Hill’ in German. The iconic brand is born.
1969
The beginning of Beerenberg

Grant and Carol Paech inherit the farm and start growing strawberries.
Five generations later, Grant and Carol Paech inherit the farm and diversify by planting a strawberry crop on the fertile pastures.

Enterprising from the start, Grant begins to sell strawberries from a roadside tin shed he’s built. He quickly progresses to the back of a wooden cart and later to a Dodge truck in Adelaide’s East End Market.
1839
Where it all began

The Paechs journey from Prussia and settle in the Adelaide Hills.
The journey begins when Johann George and Anna Rosina Paech sail with their five children from Prussia to South Australia.

Together with 52 other Lutheran families, they establish a village in the Adelaide Hills, Hahndorf, naming it after their ship’s captain. It’s here that they work the land as subsistence farmers, using their skills to produce fruit, vegetables and livestock.