Another Australian Craft Brewery Has Collapsed. This Time, It’s Fox Friday

When Fox Friday opened not one, but two new Australian venues last year, it felt like maybe the Tasmanian-born brewery was weathering the strong economic headwinds facing the independent brewing industry. It wasn’t the case.

On Thursday, Benn and Sarah Hooper announced they were appointing McGrath Nicol to take control of Fox Friday’s portfolio of five hospitality venues and three production breweries, one of which is currently under construction. That includes leading Melbourne bottle shop Carwyn Cellars.

“Unfortunately, we’ve faced significant financial challenges that have brought us to this point. Our financial lender could not meet their obligations for our capital projects.”

“While funding was confirmed, we experienced continual delays extending to March 2025, and now they have been placed into liquidation. This left us covering major capital projects with operational funds, based on assurances that support was still coming.”

McGrath Nicol partners Keith Crawford and Robert Smith will oversee the sale or restructure of the Fox Friday Group.

“The administrators’ immediate priority is to work constructively with Fox Friday Group’s employees, customers and key suppliers to ensure trading can continue to be provided on an uninterrupted basis while sale process preparations are made.”

In their statement, the Hoopers say they “intend to come through the other side” and are committed to business as usual, albeit with “some changes to our venues’ operating days and hours”. They also thanked their suppliers, employees and supporters.

“Thank you for believing in us, for sharing a beer with us, and for being part of this journey.”

foxfriday.com.au