Popular Aussie brewing company placed in administration

Big Shed Brewing has been placed in administration, but the owners are working on a plan to save the business.

A popular South Australian Brewery has been placed into voluntary administration, but owners are working on a plan to save the business.

Big Shed Brewing, which has been leaders of the craft beer industry for two decades, has appointed specialist firm Heard Phillips Lieberenz to help restructure their finances,

The administrators will continue to operate the commercial side of the business, meaning customers can still buy any of the brewery’s unique beverages.

Co-founder Craig Basford said that they are now looking for support from their patrons in order to help the business continue into the future.

“What we need now more than ever is the support of our community of beer drinkers, those who want see Big Shed around for the long haul,” he said.

“While no one ever wants to be in this situation, we know that it’s necessary for our staff and business”.

Big Shed Brewing was founded in 2002, and operates on Old Port Rd in Royal Park, SA. Picture: Tait Schmaal

The brewery was founded in 2002, and is known for a brand of unique beers, including the apricot stout BruChocs: a collaboration with Robern Menz’s famous FruChocs product.

In 2019, the company moved locations to Old Port Rd in Royal Park, shortly before the pandemic hit.

“We invested heavily in our business expansion up to December 2019, only for the world to shut down in March 2020,” Mr Basford said.

“It is fighting that ongoing battle that has us where we are today.”

Co-founder Jason Harris saidthat rising interest rates post-pandemic also impacted the company, and that they had decided to go through this process early “to ensure we give ourselves the best possible opportunity to come out on the other side stronger”.

Mark Lieberenz of Heard Phillips Lieberenz said the firm was “delighted” to be working with a team who remained passionate about their business and products.

“We are open for business and look forward to continue brewing the full range of Big Shed beers and welcoming customers at the Big Shed,” he said.

This news comes shortly after Melbourne brewery Hawkers also entered voluntary administration, and a little over a year since Queensland brewery Ballistic Beer did the same.