Ownership

An area of the beer world that often sparks lively discussion and debate.

Ownership
CUB Bought By Asahi

AB InBev have announced they are to sell Australia's CUB to Asahi for $16 billion Australian dollars.

Bridge Road Splits From Australia

Bridge Road Brewers have issued a Declaration Of Independence, forming a micronation on the grounds of their brewery under the name Brewland.

Gage Launch Atomic Beer Project

Gage Roads has revealed details of a new venture, with Atomic, its American style pale ale, evolving into a new brand focused on hop forward beers, the Atomic Beer Project.

Black Hops Set Crowdfunding First

Just six days after opening their equity crowdfunding campaign to the public, Black Hops​ have reached their maximum fundraising target of $400,000 – and broken a few records in the process.

Paying For Beer

As Endeavour becomes the first Australian brewing company to launch a public equity crowdfunding campaign, we look at the growing number of options on the table for brewery owners looking to build their businesses.

Good Drinking For Gage Roads

Gage Roads is putting of its brands, both those developed in house and those they've acquired, under the new Good Drinks Australia umbrella and looks set to continue to build a family of drinks brands like Tribe and Fermentum.

The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited III

Close to 100 brewing companies have licensed the IBA's independence seal since its launch in May. We contacted the US Brewers Association, whose campaign inspired it, to find out how they are driving the message in the States.

The Gypsy Lifestyle

As Barrow Boys winds down and West City Brewing makes a comeback under new ownership, we speak to three other brewers about the challenges facing gypsy/cuckoo/contract brewers in today's evolving beer world.

The Business Of Beer: Where To From Here?

The acquisitions of Matso's and Mornington Peninsula Brewery by Gage Roads and Tribe Breweries respectively suggest an industry entering an era of consolidation. We asked a specialist in the business of beer what recent moves could mean.

Mornington Peninsula Brewery Joins The Tribe

Mornington Peninsula Brewery is the latest brewery to sell, becoming the newest addition to the Tribe family of businesses launched by the people behind Stockade Brew Co and the contract facility previously known as BrewPack.

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The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited II

Last month, we returned to the topic of ownership. Then, we sought the views of people predominantly operating in the independent sector. Here, we follow up with the views of those who own or work for formerly independent beer brands that are now part of larger businesses.

The Big Issue: Who Owns Your Beer?

If ownership of a product is important to you as a buyer, choosing from a fridge of beers has never been trickier, particularly if you're shopping at one of the country's two major retailers. Here, following recent of acquisitions, we look at who owns some of the country's beer brands.

Gage Roads Buys Matso's

Gage Roads today announced it has bought fellow WA brewing company Matso's. It is the latest major announcement from the WA brewery, which has been enjoying remarkable growth and success since buying back shares from Woolworths in 2016.

Designed Seal Delivered

The Independent Brewers Association has followed the example of peers in the US and UK and launched an seal with which brewers and their supporters can declare their support for local, independent beer.

The Big Issue: Ownership Revisited

Back in 2015, we looked at brewing company ownership, which was becoming a topic for regular discussion in the industry. Now, following a slew of acquisitions last year and with the launch of an independence seal, we take another deep dive.

Best New NSW Beers Of 2017

With more new releases to try than ever before, we invited contributors from across the state to sift through the buyouts and the startups, the hops and the haze to come up with a list of the ten (or so) best new beers to come out of New South Wales in 2017.

Pirate Life Sold To CUB

Pirate Life Brewing has been sold to CUB / AB InBev. You can read the media release here and find our interview with co-founder Mick Cameron linked below too.

More On The Pirate Life Sale to AB InBev

Following the announcement that Pirate Life has been sold to CUB/AB InBev, we chatted to the Adelaide brewery's co-founder Mick Cameron and Peter Filipovic of AB InBev to find out more.

Coca-Cola Amatil Buys Feral Brewing

WA trailblazer Feral Brewing has become the latest leading Australian craft brewery to sell its business to a multinational operation. Today, it was announced the business has been acquired 100 percent by Coca-Cola Amatil.

Bickford's Buys Vale Brewing

Two of the country's biggest craft brewers have been sold on the same day, with news that The Bickford's Group has bought Vale Brewing following Coca-Cola Amatil's purchase of Feral Brewing Co.

AB InBev Buys 4 Pines

In news that will send shockwaves through the Australian beer industry, it has been announced today that AB InBev has taken 100 percent ownership of 4 Pines. It is the global brewing giant's first Australian purchase since merging with SABMiller.

4 Pines: Behind The Sale

Following a courtship of more than 12 months, 4 Pines today became a 100 percent owned subsidiary of AB InBev. We spoke to brewery co-founder Jaron Mitchell and Peter Filipovic at AB InBev to find out more on the background to the sale.

Independence Day

Today, Australia's small and independent brewers voted to remove large breweries from national trade body. What was the Craft Beer Industry Association (CBIA) is now to be known as the Independent Brewers Association.

Lion Quits Craft Beer Industry Association

Chuck Hahn, one of the figureheads of the Australian craft beer industry since the 1980s has today released a statement announcing Lion's departure from the Craft Beer Industry Association. We sought reaction from independent brewers.

Dixon Buys Hawthorn Brewing Company

The fast-growing Dixon Hospitality Group has added another string to its bow. The business has moved into the craft beer sector after buying Hawthorn Brewing Company and launching new division Salt Brewing.

Gage Roads' New Road

It's been a momentous few months for Gage Roads, with the WA brewery winning Champion Australian Beer and then announcing a split from Woolies. Pia Poynton caught up with one of the men plotting the new course.

Gage Roads' Return To Independence

With many observers of the local beer world awaiting news of the next significant brewery buy out since Asahi took control of Mountain Goat, WA's Gage Roads is going the other way and buying back shares from Woolworths.

Getting Blind With Crafty: Ownership Special

Part two of our examination of the issue of ownership in the craft beer world is a blind tasting special. In it, we pit beers from the big brewers, major retailers and multinationals against those from small independent Australian brewing companies.

The Big Issue: Ownership

Takeovers and buy-ins, supermarket craft and vague labelling. Both here and internationally, the issue of ownership and its impact on the beer world is constantly in the news. Over two days, we look at what it means for craft beer and those who drink it in Australia.

The Big Issue: Ownership Infographic

Today, we launch a two-part series looking at the issue of ownership in the Australian beer world. As well as seeking the views of various people in the industry, we have compiled a fun graphic showing who's behind some small Australian brands.

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Same Same But Different

Mountain Goat's new GM tells us that nothing will be changing at the brewery since Asahi's takeover, other than the brewery having access to Asahi's greater reach. Meanwhile, what does the news mean for beer in Australia?

Mountain Goat Bought By Asahi

Melbourne's longest established microbrewery, Mountain Goat, has been bought by Asahi. The Japanese company has taken a 100 percent ownership stake in the Richmond based company as of today.

Set In Stone

When news broke earlier this year that the directors of Little World Beverages, the company that owned Little Creatures, had recommended an offer from Lion to take full control of the business, there were…

From Little Things...

The Australian beer scene has woken to the news this morning that Lion has made an offer for Little World Beverages – known for brands such as Little Creatures, White Rabbit and Pipsqueak Cider – and…

An Open Letter to the Craft Beer Community from Craft Beer Limited

Since publishing this comment piece on the current situation regarding the formation of a national association for craft brewers in Australia, we have been contacted by Craft Beer Limited. They were planning…