Award-winning Collingwood brewer Molly Rose shuts its doors

Award-winning Collingwood bar and brewer Molly Rose Brewing has called in liquidators, with its founder saying the business had “felt the pinch” from all sides.

The craft beer brewing bust has claimed another victim with a venue in Melbourne’s north calling in liquidators. Picture: Google Maps

The craft beer brewing bust has claimed another victim with a venue in Melbourne’s north calling in liquidators.

Award-winning Collingwood bar and brewer, Molly Rose Brewing, collapsed into liquidation on Monday.

DBA Reconstruction and Advisory liquidator Atle Crowe-Maxwell is now sorting through the financial woes of the business.

Molly Rose, which opened on Wellington St in 2019, won Best Brewery Bar at the Australian Bartenders Awards last year.

Molly Rose had recently won Best Brewery Bar. Picture: Google Maps

Founder Nic Sandery told the Herald Sun the brewer had been squeezed by “rapidly increasing” operation costs and a reduction in consumer spending.

“We have felt the pinch from both our costs to run the business increasing and our revenue decreasing,” he said.

“The cost of insurance, electricity, gas, water, freight and brewing raw materials have all increased by more than 30 per cent, while at the same time the cost of living crisis has reduced the amount of disposable income our customers have to spend.”

Mr Sandery said Molly Rose had been hit with fewer guests coming into the venue, as well as a sharp drop off in the volume of its beer sold to other bars, restaurants and bottleshops.

“I know in my household and among my peers we are all going out far less and spending less in order to just get by,” he said.

Molly Rose brewery owner Nic Sandery at the Collingwood site when it opened in 2019. Picture: Rebecca Michael.

The business has been closed while the liquidator assesses the best way forward for creditors.

Given the company is in liquidation and not administration, the owners will not be able to strike a deal with creditors to continue trading.

But Mr Sandery said he is hopeful he will still be able to find a way to carry on the Molly Rose brand.

“Whatever way this lands, I am very proud of what the Molly Rose team has created,” he said.

“It truly is something special and unique and I would like to thank the whole team of current and past employees who have worked to make the dream a reality.”

It comes after Beechworth drinks maker Billson’s entered a rescue deal with American giant Coca-Cola in December after racking up $21.3m in debt.

Melbourne craft brewer Kaiju was also saved from liquidation after striking a deal with creditors earlier this year.

Bad Shepherd brewery in Melbourne’s southeast previously undertook a restructure after entering administration and continues to trade.

Originally published as Award-winning Collingwood brewer Molly Rose shuts its doors