Australia: Lion to close pioneering Two Birds Brewing

Australia’s first female-led brewing company Two Birds Brewing is to cease production and its Melbourne brewpub will close as its owner Lion continues to shut some of its smaller craft beer brands, the Beer & Brewer reported on June 22.

The announcement follows its Bevy Brewing Co ceasing production back in May and the closure of its Tiny Mountain brand and venue just weeks prior. Earlier this month Lion announced it had purchased the site of Stone & Wood’s production facility and is now planning a major brewery and hospitality expansion at the Murwillumbah location.

In a statement Lion said Two Birds sales had “been on a downtrend for several years” and “despite continued marketing investment, it is not showing signs of a turnaround”. The last day of trade at Two Birds’ ‘The Nest’ venue and brewery in Spotswood will be July 21 and their beers will be available for sale until stock runs out.

Two Birds came under Lion ownership in late 2021 when it purchased Stone & Wood and the family of brands that fell under parent company Fermentum’s umbrella. Two Birds was sold to Fermentum earlier that same year after Jayne Lewis and Danielle Allen (pictured in that order above) founded the company in 2011. A major highlight in the brewery’s lifetime was its crowning as the 2016 Australian International Beer Awards’ Champion Medium Australian Brewery while it continued to champion the cause of women and the importance of diversity in a male-dominated industry throughout its lifespan.

Fermentum’s supply chain leader Rich Crowe said in a statement: “I’d like to recognise the Two Birds Brewing founders Jayne Lewis and Danielle Allen who have blazed a trail for diversity and inclusion in brewing in opening Australia’s first female founded brewery.

“Closing Two Birds is a difficult decision that has not been taken lightly and we want to continue to acknowledge and celebrate their unique contribution both to the Fermentum team and the wider industry.

“We have been working through this with Jayne and Danielle and, with their support, plan to continue their annual tradition of brewing an International Women’s Day ‘Warrior Woman’ brew alongside our women brewers. We will also be working with them on an ongoing mentoring and scholarship program that complements Lion’s existing range of DEI programs.”

Danielle Allen said: “The legacy of Two Birds will continue to live on, not only in the hearts of those who have enjoyed our unique brews but also in the progress we have made towards gender equality in the brewing world. We are honoured to have played a role in shifting perceptions, fostering inclusivity, and empowering countless women to follow their dreams within this industry and others.

“We wish to express our gratitude to our supporters, partners, suppliers, many collaborators and our dedicated team, both past and present, for their unwavering support throughout the years. We look forward to supporting Lion’s programs aimed at encouraging more women to join the brewing industry.”

In a separate statement, Jayne, who recently announced she would be leaving the brewery she co-founded, said she felt “a profound sense of sadness” at the decision.

“As a co-founder of this beloved venture, which I nurtured for 10 years before selling it two and a half years ago and departing just two months ago, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of sadness for the dedicated team who poured their hearts and souls into making
this brand what it is today.

“More than just a product, Two Birds represented the values of diversity, inclusion, and the unwavering belief in oneself. It thrived as a beacon of hope for those who sought to break barriers and embrace their unique identities. I am immensely proud of the legacy we have built and it brings me solace to know that Fermentum will continue to carry that torch forward, by continuing the Warrior Woman brand and investing in scholarships to further the careers of women in their business.”

Lion said the closure “will impact six permanent and seven casual team members, with redeployment opportunities currently being explored in other parts of Lion. If no alternative roles are available, redundancy, outplacement support and counselling will be provided to impacted team members”.

23 June, 2023