ownership

Working Inside Beer's Sinking Ships

Former staff at several business that have closed, changed hands, or been through administration over the past couple of years share their experiences, offering an insider's view of the often chaotic life at these sinking ships.

Episode 013: From Teaching History To Brewing It

If you were to draw up a list of Australian brewing greats of the past 20 years, Shawn Sherlock would be in the very upper echelons. The former Murray's brewer now in full control of FogHorn Brewery joined us on the podcast.

2024 Mid-Year Report – Shift Happens

The first six months of 2024 have been brutal for beer, putting even the turbulence of 2023 in the shade. Here, we take stock, examining where the industry finds itself and where it's heading.

The Secret Brewer: Voluntary Administration Part II

The people running some of the breweries to have been through voluntary administration over the past 12 months, as well as the CEO of the IBA, respond to concerns raised by The Secret Brewer.

FogHorn Founder Takes Full Control Of Brewery As Mighty Craft Exit Craft

Shawn Sherlock, who built a reputation as one of Australia's finest brewers while at Murray's, has taken full control of FogHorn Brewery almost a decade on from launching the business, with Mighty Craft exiting craft beer.

Stomping Ground Bought By Good Drinks

Good Drinks, the company that includes beer brands such as Gage Roads, Atomic and Matso's, has bought Stomping Ground. The 100 percent acquisition sees the ASX-listed company expand its portfolio and establish a foothold in Victorian.

A New Guide To Beer Ownership

We've been meaning to create an interactive version of our Who Owns Your Beer? infographic for some time. And, ahead of the 2021 Indies, we've finally made it happen, creating a version we can update with each and every sale.

The Big Sale: Is It A Big Deal?

Last week's announcement that Stone & Wood's founders had agreed to sell their business to Lion sent shockwaves through the industry. But, as the dust settles, what has really changed for indie brewers and those who buy indie beer?

Lion Buys Stone & Wood

In news that will send shockwaves through the local beer community, Lion have today confirmed the acquisition of Stone & Wood as well as associated brands in the Fermentum Group, including Fixation and Two Birds.

What Next For Indie Beer?

The sale of the Fermentum Group to Lion raises a number of question, not least what it means for the indie beer sector. We've been speaking to people in the beer industry to see what they make of the move.

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Fermentum To Lion: The Founders' Tale

Following the sale of the Fermentum Group to Lion, we chatted to co-founders Ross Jurisich and Jamie Cook to get more on how they reached this point.

The Big Issue: Private Label Beers

Initial, Zytho, Tinnies, Colossal, Algorithm, Culture House, Gogo Fish – all the names of brands behind pales, IPAs, stouts and sours. And all brewed for the country's major drinks retailers. We look at the renewed rise of "homebrand" beers.

Ten Years Of Crafty: Infiltrating And Taking Over

The beer industry today is far bigger, far better in many ways, far more colourful and far more competitive. It's also changed plenty with independence now declared with the same gusto once applied to craft. Here's a look at how.

Founders First Continue To Accelerate

Founders First, the "craft accelerator" that started out with an investment in Jetty Road, today they'll announced they're adding SA beverage company Sparkke to their portfolio, continuing a frantic burst of activity ahead of their IPO.

Indie Beer's Family Ties

Breweries are just diversifying their offering when it comes to beers and venues. There's a number of independent operations with multiple brands under their umbrella, both bought and birthed.

Ownership Infographic – September 2019

As one industry commentator put it to us recently, keeping this infographic up to date is something of a Sisyphean task. But, given recent moves, we figured we should at least attempt to put together a snapshot of who owns whom.

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 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.

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.


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Winds Of Change At Akasha

The Akasha Brewing Company announced publicly today that it has undergone a change in ownership – with employees among the new owners.

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.

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.

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.