The James Squire range of beers was produced by the Malt Shovel Brewery in Sydney, which is set to close its doors at the end of August due to the rising cost of living and the decline in the beer market.
This is the latest in a string of closures affecting the craft brewery industry, which has been hit hard by the tax increases and the reduction in demand.
Nine of the company’s employees will be affected by the closure.
Chuck Hahn founded the company in 1988.
It was then purchased by Lion Nathan, a multinational drinks company that is famous for making Tooheys and XXXX Gold.
James Brindley, the managing director of Lion Australia, said the company informed the employees of the impending closure in just a couple of months.
The decline in the consumption of beer in Australia has been a long-term issue for the industry.
Since 2019, the country’s overall beer volumes have decreased by about 100 million liters.
Due to the increasing cost of living, as well as the reduction in discretionary spending, the company has decided to close its operations.
Mr. Brindley said that the company had played a vital role in the development of the craft beer movement within Australia by introducing consumers to a wide range of styles.
The company is known for its James Squire range of beers.
It will continue to produce other products such as Eumundi, New Belgium, and Little Creatures, which will be distributed to other breweries within the Lion network.
Allison Macdonald, the head brewer of the Malt Shovel Brewery, expressed her sadness at the company’s closure.
However, she was proud of the company’s legacy, which she said had a long history of brewing great beer.