Beverage giant Lion is stepping outside its core beer business with the purchase of a 50 per cent stake in Healesville-based distillery, Four Pillars Gin.
This will be a new venture for Lion, which is best known for its craft brewing brands such as James Squire, Little Creatures, Kosciuszko and Furphy.
The beer giant will be hoping to capitalise on the growing demand for craft gin in Australia.
Four Pillars, an award-winning craft gin, was established by Stuart Gregor, Cameron Mackenzie and Matt Jones in 2013.
“The partnership with Lion really is a ripper for us,” said Four Pillars co-founder Stuart Gregor.
“It would not be untrue to say that more than a few organisations have shown an interest in us over the past 18 months and Lion just felt the best. We like their focus on craft, we like the fact we will be their first and most important craft spirit brand, and we like the fact that part of the deal is a slab of Furphy every month for the rest of our lives.”
Lion managing director James Brindley said the partnership with Four Pillars is really exciting for Lion.
“What Matt, Cam and Stu have done in creating Four Pillars in just over five years is nothing short of remarkable and we want them to keep their hands on the wheel, while we offer advice, counsel and assistance,” Brindley said.
Vanguard Luxury Brands has been Four Pillars’ domestic distributor since 2013, and the same craft spirits experts will continue to sell the craft gin to bars, retailers and restaurants and across Australia.
