By Andy Young
Lion has announced that it is purchasing the Byron Bay Brewing Co. and that it will be investing in the brewery and the venue, including a potential refurbishment.
Gordon Treanor, Lion’s craft marketing director, said that the purchase will mean that the brewery remains an integral part of the Byron Bay community.
“When we were approached by Byron Bay Brewing Co. we saw an opportunity to invest in a great local brewery, hospitality operation and craft beer portfolio, with a view to building the business locally and, possibly, in time, sharing these great beers with more people across the country,” Treanor said.
“We recognise that the craft beer segment benefits from giving entrepreneurial people the chance to be creative and experimental, and this is how we manage our current craft portfolio. We are looking forward to welcoming Byron Bay Brewing Co. into the fold and working with the team to keep brewing award-winning beers.”
Barry Schadel, owner of Byron Bay Brewing Co. said he was happy to have found a buyer who shared his vision for the company and would continue to invest in Byron.
“I am really proud of Byron Bay Brewing Co. and what we have achieved in the Byron community. My number one priority was finding a buyer who would continue to invest in the brewery, beers and venue and take the business from strength to strength. Lion has a strong track record of doing this with other craft beers and I know I am leaving Byron Bay Brewing Co. in good hands,” Schadel said.
The brewery will join several others in Lion’s craft portfolio, including Little Creatures, James Squire, White Rabbit, Kosciusko and Knappstein.