Little Bang Brewing Co. sold to Duxton Pubs

One of the state’s pioneering craft breweries – that helped kickstart the local industry – has been sold.

Local craft brewer Little Bang Brewing Co. has been acquired by one of the state’s fastest growing pub owners.

Duxton Pubs has acquired the Stepney-based brewery and tap room, which was established in 2013 by business partners Fil Kemp and Ryan Davidson.

Little Bang was one of the first craft brewers to emerge on the Adelaide scene, helping to kick-start a local industry that has attracted global attention and investment.

As part of the deal Mr Davidson will stay on in an executive role, alongside former Uraidla Brewery head brewer Oscar Matthews who is joining the business.

Duxton Pubs co-founder Ed Peter, left, with Little Bang Brewing Co. co-founder Ryan Davidson at the brewery’s Stepney tap room. Picture: Tom Huntley

Mr Kemp is relocating to Western Australia but will remain involved in an advisory role.

Duxton Pubs co-founder Ed Peter said the deal would offer Little Bang extra resources to further expand distribution across the Duxton Pubs network but also at other venues locally and interstate.

“It means the Little Bang team can grow through our reach in the hospitality space, while continuing to brew the amazing beers they are known for,” he said.

“We’re super excited to work with them on growing the Little Bang brand, which will still continue to be available in existing hotels and bottle shops, as well as a host of new ones both within South Australia and nationally.

Oscar Matthews has joined the Little Bang team at Stepney. Picture: Tom Huntley

“The Stepney site will continue in its current form, however we are exploring a number of exciting expansion opportunities that will be announced once finalised.”

As part of the deal Mr Davidson and Mr Kemp have become shareholders in Duxton Pubs, which operates 17 venues across the state including The Lion in North Adelaide, CBD watering hole the Saracens Head and a string of regional venues.

Mr Davidson said Duxton’s backing would provide the resources required to expand the Little Bang brand.

“We’ve spent years working closely with pubs owned by Ed, Brett Matthews, and Martin Palmer - similarly with Oscar throughout his time in the brewing industry and at Uraidla Brewery. We have an enormous respect for what they do and the businesses they’ve created,” he said.

“As a small-medium craft brewery, normally your only options are to stay small and keep overheads and risks low, or sell-out to a multinational – we’ve found a perfect alternative.

“This will give Little Bang access to knowledge and resources it’s never had before, while maintaining autonomy and the ability to shape the future together – it’s going to be huge.”

Little Bang started in Mr Kemp’s garage in 2013, before it moved into its current Stepney warehouse in 2018.

Other local craft brewers to sell to larger groups in recent years include Mismatch Brewing, which was taken over by ASX-listed Mighty Craft last year, and Pirate Life, which was acquired by the world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, in 2017.