Japanese beer giant Asahi has bought Laverton- based boutique brewer Mountain Goat.
Cam Hines and David Bonighton founded Mountain Goat in 1997 after “cranking out” home brews in Mr Bonighton’s backyard.
The pair said in a joint statement they would be “sticking around” at Mountain Goat and had a good working relationship with Asahi.
“We’ve been contract partners with Asahi for three years,” they said.
“With their expert help, our beer has grown in demand, expanded nationally and found a special place with beer-lovers.
“We are confident that with Asahi on board, we will be able to convert many more people to craft beer than we could do on our own.”
The pair said the sale would allow them to focus more on brewing beer and their aim of continuously improving quality.
“This was a key aspect of the sale for both sides,” they said.
“Over the past 18 years we’ve been on a determined exploration of good beer. Back then we knew Australian beer-lovers deserved more than bland, yellow fizzy lager, but it was difficult to find. It’s the reason we started the brewery.”
Mountain Goat employs about 25 full-time staff and another 20 casuals, according to its website.
It brews its smaller-volume beers at a Richmond-based microbrewery and bigger batches, including 330ml bottled and 375ml canned beer, at a larger plant in Laverton.
The multinational beverage company’s purchase of Mountain Goat continues the consolidation that has swept through the craft beer sector. It comes after Asahi bought the Cricketers Arms brand, which it produces at Laverton, in April 2013.
The Age
