Billionaire beer: Brewer’s sales pitch to Sir Richard

A cheeky Noosa brewer has seized a marketing opportunity too good to miss.

Heads of Noosa Brewery co-owner Craig Masterton managed to be in the right place at the right time to hand Sir Richard Branson a case of their best-selling Japanese Lager before he flew out after a visit to his Makepeace Island luxury resort.

WHEN you are a young entrepreneur with a head for business, what you don’t ever miss is an opportunity to promote your product.

That’s why when Heads of Noosa Brewery partner Craig Masterton heard British billionaire Sir Richard Branson was flying out after a visit to his Makepeace Island exclusive retreat, he was quick to seize one.

“I would have loved to have had a beer with him,” Craig said.

“But he was a busy guy on a mission.

“He was very polite and high-fived some kids.”

Craig put a bow on a case of a case of Heads of Noosa Japanese Lager, figuring the billionaire founder on Virgin Records and Virgin Airlines couldn’t refuse a present.

Along with his brother Lance, Craig opened Heads of Noosa Brewery in Noosaville Industrial Estate to the public on the Australia Day weekend this year.

He said the brewers’ Japanese Lager was an easy-drinking lager that had quickly found favour.

“We sell more of that than anything else,” Craig said.

“It holds its own in most markets.”

Heads of Noosa Brewery hosted the Soleart Noosa Festival of Surfing Surf Art Expo last March and will welcome it back in 2020.

Sir Richard pops into his Makepeace Island Resort from time to time, usually landing on the lower North Shore where he is popular with local residents.

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