Deal with Lion a ripper, says Aussie gin trio
A Victorian distillery has sold half its business to a global beer giant in an effort to become the world’s most popular craft gin maker.
Four Pillars Gin, based in Healesville, announced yesterday that Lion – which owns beer labels including Little Creatures, Furphy and James Squire – would take a 50 per cent stake.
Owners Stuart Gregor, Cameron Mackenzie and Matt Jones, who set up Four Pillars in 2013, said they were thrilled with the deal, which includes a slab of Furphy every month for the rest of their lives.
The value of the deal has not been revealed but according to market speculation yesterday, Lion may have paid upwards of $30 million.
The founders are now planning to build a new hospitality and production space next to their popular Healesville distillery, and to invite more bartenders and chefs out to the Yarra Valley to collaborate.
The trio told Four Pillars fans yesterday that they would use Lion’s investment to spread the word about Australian gin “across the globe”.
They are promising more small-batch gin experiments — after the rapid growth of their Bloody Shiraz Gin and Australian Christmas Gin — and to expand their range of products using “gin botanicals”. Their other products already include marmalade, cheese and chocolate.
“The partnership with Lion really is a ripper for us,” Mr Gregor said. “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 felt the best. We like their focus on craft, we like the fact we will be their first and most important craft spirit brand.”
Four Pillars staff and friends who took a stake in the company will remain shareholders but have all sold half of their holdings to Lion, which is owned by Japanese beverage goliath Kirin.
Lion managing director James Brindley said: “What Matt, Cam and Stu have done in creating Four Pillars in just over five years is nothing short of remarkable.”