Mountain Culture Beer Co. is set to significantly expand its national footprint following the acquisition of Fox Friday Brewing and its associated assets from voluntary administration.
While full details of the deal are yet to be disclosed, the acquisition encompasses the Fox Friday brand, five hospitality venues, and two production breweries. Among the assets are high-profile venues including taprooms in Hobart, Melbourne, and Perth, the Moonah Hotel & Cellars in Hobart, and Carwyn Cellars—a renowned craft beer bar and retailer.
The move will more than double Mountain Culture’s current venue count. Until now, the independent brewery operated three locations: two in its Blue Mountains base and a third in Redfern, Sydney, which opened in late 2024 in the former premises of Atomic.
The acquisition aligns with Mountain Culture’s long-standing strategy to expand its on-premise presence. Speaking earlier this year, co-founder and head brewer DJ McCready emphasised the company’s goal to widen its reach: “Sydney is our focus at the moment—most of our beer is sold here—but we’ve got strong momentum in Melbourne and Brisbane. Redfern has performed really well, and we’d love to open more locations,” he said.
McCready also highlighted the dual purpose of such growth: maintaining a strong wholesale foundation while creating branded experiences that engage directly with consumers. “It’s about giving people an experience with our beer and educating them on what we’re doing,” he said.
Fox Friday entered voluntary administration on April 16, after owners Benn and Sarah Hooper cited “significant financial challenges.” The announcement followed an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) into a major investor’s firm—owned by David Anderson—which was ordered by the Federal Court to be wound up just days before.
Despite its financial struggles, Fox Friday had gained considerable market traction. Its beers earned debut spots in the 2025 GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beer Poll, with its Hazy IPA ranking 30th—just one place behind the top new entrant. Mountain Culture’s flagship, Status Quo, claimed the top spot for the third year running.
In a statement announcing the acquisition, Mountain Culture co-founders DJ and Harriet McCready said: “We really respect Fox Friday—not just for their beer, but for the communities they’ve built. This is an opportunity to grow our brand while engaging authentically with new audiences and supporting the broader craft industry.”
Since launching in 2019, Mountain Culture has risen to become Australia’s fourth-largest independent brewery. Despite its rapid growth, McCready described the business as still young and independently run. “It’s just Harriet and myself, and now Pat Cummins has come on as a minority shareholder,” he said.
He added that the company’s mission remains rooted in expanding appreciation for quality craft beer. “We’re pushing boundaries more now than when we were a 15-person operation,” McCready said. “Our goal has always been to bring more people into the craft beer fold—and we’re doing that on a much larger scale.”
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