Industry giant AB InBev takes over Manly boutique brewery, 4 Pines

Global plans for Manly’s 4 Pines after industry giant takes over the craft brewery.

4 Pines’ brewpub in Manly.

• Brookvale emerges as a craft beer hub
• 4 Pines’ expansion on northern beaches

BREWING giant AB InBev has bought Manly boutique brewery 4 Pines for an undisclosed sum.

Co-founder Jaron Mitchell said negotiations began last year.

“The process took over 12 months, we were a bit sceptical when a global brewer approached us, but they have done this around the world with 30 small breweries,” Mr Mitchell said.

Adam Mitchell, Jaron Mitchell (on Adam’s shoulders), Peter Filipovic, Sheree Mitchell and Jan Craps from AB InBev. Picture: supplied.

The deal will enable the brand to expand its Brookvale brewery, retain 150 staff and grow within Australia and globally with access to AB InBev’s resources, Mr Mitchell said.

“We’ve spent the last 10 years building a business with ideals that worked for us,” he said.

“There will be no change overnight.”

Operations will continue in Manly, Brookvale and Newport with same team and management, Mr Mitchell said.

The Truck Bar at the Brookvale Brewery. Picture: supplied

AB InBev already owns a number of iconic Aussie beer brands after it acquired Carlton & United Breweries in October 2016, these include Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draft and the Yak Ales.

AB InBev’s president of the Asia Pacific South Zone Jan Craps said brewing would continue on the northern beaches breweries.

“4 Pines is an innovative business with a great range of beers, and a values-driven culture which is important to us,” he said.

Pub grub at 4 Pines’ Newport venue.

Mr Mitchell said that as a stand-alone small brewer 4 Pines was one of the top 10 in Australia.

4 Pines opened the Manly brewpub in June 2008, the Brookvale brewery in 2012 and a second pub in Newport in 2016.