Lion is to acquire Fermentum Group, taking over its portfolio of brands, including Australian craft brewery Stone & Wood.
Other Fermentum’s brands joining Lion include Sunly Seltzer, Two Birds, Fixation and Little Dragon. The value of the acquisition has not yet been disclosed but is estimated by industry insiders to be at $300 million, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We only looked for a custodian who would be committed to building the brewery and to support our work in the community,” said Jamie Cook, chairman and co-founder of Fermentum. “Not only did Lion welcome these ideas with enthusiasm, but it also demonstrated it has similar values and a focus on environmental and social governance aligned to our ‘Force for Good’ approach.”
Cook said Lion’s acquisition of Little Creatures, Four Pillars and New Belgium demonstrates it has learned from new businesses, and grown their impact and reach.
Meanwhile, Lion has committed to build a new brewery in Murwillumbah, and will donate $5 million to the inGrained Foundation for long term, positive impact and a further $1 million to Big Scrub Landcare.
“We have huge respect for what Jamie Cook, Brad Rogers, Ross Jurisich and the team have created,” said James Brindley, MD of Lion Australia. “We want to grow what they’ve started, giving their people and beers even more reach across the country.”