Beer maker Asahi has bought Melbourne-based brewer Mountain Goat.
This is the second Australian craft brewery bought out by the Japanese beer giant, along with Cricketer Arms, which they purchased in April 2013.
According to David Bonighton and Cam Hines, founders of Mountain Goat: “A lot has changed since 1997, back then we knew that Australian beer lovers deserved more than just bland, yellow fizzy lager, but it was so difficult to find. It’s the very reason we started the brewery.”
The pair went on to say that, “we’ve been contract partners with Asahi for three years now, and 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.”
Mountain Goat will remain a stand-alone business and the brewers will continue to brew beer in Richmond.
“We’re sticking around. We want to ensure focus remains on the beer: on its quality of course, but also to continue to innovate and collaborate with other passionate members of the craft beer community. This was a key aspect of the sale for both sides,” the founders’ said.
“We are so proud that our loyal supporters believed in us and proved us right, and we’re genuinely excited about how the Australian craft beer scene is growing.
Full details for the deal have not been disclosed at the time of reporting.