Mountain Culture reveals plans for Fox Friday’s operations after liquidation sale

Love a good beer? Read what one of Australia’s most popular independent craft brewers has in store for Tasmania.

Mountain Culture Beer Co co-founders and owners DJ and Harriet McCready with daughter Dorothy.

The founders of one of Australia’s most successful independent craft breweries have taken over Fox Friday’s Tasmanian operations saying they are “super excited” and keen to brew “some awesome beers” from a state they love.

Since Harriet and DJ McCready founded Mountain Culture at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains in NSW in 2019, the brewery has gone from strength to strength with Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins now an investor.

CEO and American-born, Mr McCready said he would aim to “retain the majority of staff” when he takes over brewing operations at Fox Friday’s Hobart Taproom and the Moonah Hotel and Cellars Hobart.

He said the Fox Friday Taproom in Murray St would be rebranded in July.

Mountain Culture Beer Co. founder DJ McCready at his brewery and bar in Emu Plains in western Sydney. Picture: Richard Dobson

“Harriet and I both love Tassie,” Mr McCready said.

“In some ways it has similarities to the Blue Mountains and I can’t wait to take my bike down there and get to know the locals.

“Everyone has been so welcoming since the announcement and again we’ll be looking to work with all the locals to build something special that they can be proud of.

“Look out for lots of exciting local collaborations and events to come.”

For three years in a row, Mountain Culture’s Status Quo Pale Ale has been voted the most popular beer in Australia from 1500 beers.

Fox Friday began as a nano-brewery in Moonah in 2019 and expanded to open bigger tap rooms and restaurants in Hobart, Melbourne and Perth. It was forced into voluntary administration in April while its financial backer was investigated by ASIC.

Mountain Culture, founded by DJ and Harriet McCready, was voted No. 1 in GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer List. Picture: Supplied.

In an email on Tuesday, Ms McCready said the couple were regular visitors to the state.

“I’m pleased to say that when DJ sails into Hobart after this year’s Sydney to Hobart race (for the fourth time), he’ll be able to hobble easily over to Mountain Culture’s venue on Murray St,” she wrote.

“DJ and I both LOVE Tassie. It reminds us so much of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains – with cool people, great mountain biking, and amazing hikes.

“We did the Overland Track in November and it might be my favourite of all time, but our Art Director Mike just did Walls of Jerusalem and raved about it, so now I have to do that too, just to be sure.

“We’re super excited about the venue and the team there, and can’t wait to get cracking on brewing some awesome beers out of the Tassie brewery as well.”

Mountain Culture will take over the Moonah Hotel, an art deco-Spanish revival pub that was built in 1934, and recently revamped after being closed.

At the time of the liquidation, Fox Friday owner Benn Hooper said: “It’s with heavy hearts that we share some tough news. Sarah and I have made the difficult decision to place Fox Friday and subsidiaries (Moonah Hotel and Cellars, Carwyn Cellars) into voluntary administration.”