After a tumultuous period of change, Carwyn Cellars – one of Melbourne’s most iconic independent craft beer venues – has returned to its roots.
The Thornbury-based bar and bottle shop is once again under the ownership of its founders, Ben and Nicole Carwyn, marking a powerful and emotional milestone not just for the couple, but for the broader independent liquor retail community.
The move comes after a rocky two years that saw the much-loved venue change hands twice, first to Fox Friday in 2023, then to Mountain Culture in 2025 following Fox Friday’s collapse into voluntary administration. For Ben and Nicole, the decision to reclaim Carwyn Cellars was deeply personal.
“Nicole and I are incredibly proud of what we, Ben Duval and the whole team at Carwyn Cellars have built,” Ben Carwyn told National Liquor News.
“Since we sold the business in 2023, we’ve observed the changes and the challenges from afar and when the owners went into voluntary administration, we couldn’t stand by.”
Ben Carwyn
“We’re now looking forward and fully focused on rebuilding our partnerships and our relationships with suppliers and customers.”
Coming full circle
Established more than 14 years ago, Carwyn Cellars quickly grew from a humble family-run bottle shop into a nationally recognised destination for craft beer, wine, and spirits. Known for its expansive tap lists, curated bottle selection, and fierce independence, Carwyn carved out a loyal following in the heart of Thornbury and beyond.
The 2023 acquisition by Fox Friday was seen as a natural alignment between two craft-forward businesses. However, when Fox Friday and its subsidiaries entered voluntary administration earlier this year following the collapse of Falcon Capital, Carwyn’s future suddenly looked uncertain.
Ben and Nicole’s decision to step back in was made possible through a collaboration with Mountain Culture, who had recently acquired Fox Friday and its assets, including Carwyn Cellars.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of DJ from Mountain Culture,” Ben said. “The relationship between Carwyn Cellars and Mountain Culture has been strong from the start, and we will be forever grateful that DJ, and the team at McGrath Nicol have been so open to us taking Carwyn Cellars back. Looking forward to many collaboration beers in the future!”
Rebuilding with purpose
The return to ownership isn’t just symbolic – it signals a fresh chapter rooted in experience, resilience, and renewed focus. The Carwyns are the first to admit that times are tough, both economically and emotionally. But they’re also determined to steer the business forward with clarity and care.
“There is no denying that current economic pressures are hurting. Our aim is to stay at the forefront of what is new and exciting but also evolve to meet the market and offer not just high-end products but also seriously cool classics.”
Reclaiming Carwyn Cellars has also sparked reflection on past decisions – and validation of their core values.
“We often get asked why we don’t have more venues. Everything that has happened has reinforced our view that biggest isn’t best, we’d prefer to be the best we can be and focus on that,” Ben said.
“We didn’t realise how much Carwyn Cellars is part of our DNA.”
Ben Carwyn
Back to the future
So, what does the future hold for Carwyn Cellars now that the family name is back above the door? A focus on people, relationships, and doing what they do best.
“Right now, we’re focusing on getting Carwyn Cellars back to where it should be and repairing relationships with suppliers,” Ben told National Liquor News. “We also value our people, and we want to give the team time to breathe as they’ve been through hell over the last few months.”
There’s also plenty of creative energy stirring behind the scenes, and when asked if there were any upcoming special projects or collaborations on the horizon, Ben said: “Definitely already a couple of fun things in the works – watch this space!”
For independent retailers and producers watching from the sidelines, Carwyn’s story is more than just one of survival. It’s a timely reminder of what it means to hold fast to your values, especially in a challenging and rapidly consolidating marketplace.
“We will always be fiercely independent and committed to supporting the craft industry,” Ben said. “Sustainability comes down to evolving with the times, strong financial management, and knowing when to push and when to consolidate.
“Also – it sounds basic but look after your employees. We wouldn’t be where we are today without Ben Duval and our dedicated team.”
Community at the heart
The Carwyns’ return has been met with a groundswell of support from across the industry – a reflection of how deeply embedded the venue is in the fabric of Australia’s independent drinks scene.
“Not having a Carwyn at Carwyn felt so strange, and now it feels like all is right with the world again.”
Ben Carwyn
“There will be challenges ahead but we know we and the team are ready to go back to doing what we do best.”
Ben continued: “A huge thank you to all of our industry friends. The support you have shown us since Fox Friday put Carwyn Cellars into voluntary administration has been amazing and deeply appreciated. Also – we’re back and super excited about what comes next!”
Carwyn Cellars’ return to its original owners serves as both inspiration and proof that values-driven businesses still have staying power – even in the toughest of times.