Healesville’s Four Pillars sells half its gin company to beer giant

A Victorian distillery has sold half its business to a beer giant in an effort to become the world’s most popular craft gin makers.

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 makers.

Four Pillars Gin, based in Healesville, announced this morning that Lion — which owns beer labels including Little Creatures, Furphy and James Squire — would take a 50 per cent stake.

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Owners Stuart Gregor, Cameron Mackenzie and Matt Jones, who set up Four Pillars in 2013, say they are thrilled with the deal, which includes a free slab of Furphy every month for the rest of their lives.

They told Four Pillars fans this morning that they would use Lion’s investment to “spread the gospel of Aussie gin across the globe”.

Cameron Mackenzie enjoys his gin. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Beer giant Lion takes 50 per cent stake in Four Pillars. Picture: Supplied

The trio 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.

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, which already includes 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 just felt the best.

“We like their focus on craft, we like the fact we will be their first and most important craft spirit brand.”

The Healesville distillery. Picture: Supplied

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.

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 and we want them to keep their hands on the wheel, while we offer advice, counsel and assistance.”

@tminear