Newstead Brewing Co goes into liquidation, rival Last Man Standing moves into former Milton HQ

One of Australia’s most famous Olympians has swooped in to save the day for Brisbane beer lovers, resurrecting a venue destined for closure.

Newstead Brewing Co has gone into liquidation, with a rival brewer taking over their Milton headquarters. (Image/Josh Woning)

Four-time Olympian Steven Bradbury has swooped in to save a major Brisbane craft brewery just days after a rival hospitality venue went into liquidation.

Just days after the much-loved Newstead Brewing Co shut its doors to the public, river brewer Last Man Standing – formed by a group of mates including Bradbury and the sons of former Wallaby Roy Prosser – made the speedy move into the Milton site.

A temporary set-up was opened on March 14 to continue supplying locals and footy fanatics quality beer.

Both bar and kitchen service have begun, with chief marketing officer Keith Widelski saying they had been working behind the scenes with Newstead Brewing before the closure.

“So there have been some talks for a while, different kind of business arrangements, possibilities and exploring what could happen for a while … and we were looking to grow our business so we’ve been looking for a brewery around the place for quite some time,” Mr Widelski said.

Last Man Standing’s Steven Bradbury, and Damian and Stephen Prosser. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Just the circumstances, with how it came about was a bit quicker than we expected.”

Previously, the brewery were shipping their product from Victoria as it was cheaper, however Mr Widelski said the team were excited to brew and serve their product to the Brisbane community.

He said they weren’t concerned with carrying on in the location.

“It’s kind of like one of those things, do you kind of, you know, worry that you’re on the plane that crashes and never fly?,” he said.

“There are challenges around there. It’s a fantastic spot for us in terms of the risk assessment we’ve taken, we think it’s absolutely worth it.”

The Last Man Standing team hope to have a fully fleshed out venue by June – in time for the NRL Magic Round – but will operate through the league and union seasons until then.

“When we do go to full hours and full operating kind of times, it will be a space that people want to come back to, and you know, if it’s a work meeting, if it’s a community group, or if it’s a team of footy boys, all those kind of things … that kind of space is what we want to create – we don’t want to be too boutique,” Mr Widelski said.

Last Man Standing beers.

Newstead Brewing Co has become the latest in a long line of hospitality venues to fall victim to crippling costs within the industry.

Pouring final beers last week, the brewery made a public announcement the days following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred that it would be closing its doors forever.

The craft beer company was placed into voluntary liquidation on March 12, according to an Australian Securities and Investments Commission notice.

Mark Holland and Anthony Connelly from McGrathNicol have been appointed to wind up the company.

Mr Holland confirmed the company had entered liquidation, and although it was early days into their investigations, it appeared the business was a casualty of headwinds facing the hospitality sector.

“We’re familiarising ourselves with the entity and its financial position and we’ll investigate the reasons for why it has gone into liquidation.

“At this point, it appears that Newstead Brewing faced similar challenges to other operators in the craft brewing sector. This has led to the owner making the difficult decision to cease operations and place the company into liquidation” Mr Holland said.

Newstead Brewing cited the pandemic and major weather events as contributing to its closure. File picture: Liam Kidston

He went on to say they were “aware of debts owed”, however it was too early to confirm a number or value, but these would likely come to light over the next few weeks as investigations continued.

It is understood there were approximately 15 full-time staff who were paid out prior to the liquidators being appointed.

Newstead Brewing Co declined to comment on the liquidation notice, however in a statement posted to their social media last week, a spokesperson said “three years ago, after the crippling pandemic bought the industry to its knees, (Newstead Brewing) flooded”.

“We leave with our heads held high. All of our work was not for nothing. We kept the heart beating of an industry that needs help from its friends right now and we proved that passionate authenticity, heart, and sheer grit truly do make an impressive, inspirational difference.”

“We may be gone, but not forgotten. You will find a little part of us in every Brisbane craft beer poured. Cheers to an industry worth fighting for!”

Established in 2013 by the Howes family, the brewery started out at the site of a former bus depot at Doggett St, Newstead, which is now the location of Working Title Brew Co.

The business grew, expanding to its combined brewery and pub site at Castlemaine St, Milton in the shadow of Suncorp Stadium in 2017.

It also opened a taphouse at Brisbane Airport’s Domestic Terminal.

Originally published as Newstead Brewing Co goes into liquidation, rival Last Man Standing moves into former Milton HQ