Today, Billson’s Brewery has announced that it has been placed into voluntary administration, citing “several mistakes” that have led to systems and processes complications.
The news follows just one month after the historic multi-beverage producer was recognised by Circana and Drinks Trade as a top-three growth brand of 2023, and just seven years since current owners Felicity Cottrill and Nathan Cowan resurrected the historic Beechworth site.
“In 2017 Felicity and I moved to Beechworth with dreams of restoring the historic brewery,” said Director Nathan Cowan in a statement to social media.
“Over the course of 7 years, everyone’s hard work and passion has resulted in overwhelming support by people all over Australia and some pretty incredible business growth. Unfortunately that growth masked several mistakes we made along the way as our systems and processes failed to keep up.
“We’re ultimately responsible for these mistakes and we know that we have let people down. We are devastated and sorry.”
In the 2024 Drinks Trade Hottest Brands List – created in partnership with Circana – Billson’s was recognised as the brand that generated the most additional amount of sales revenue in 2023 when compared to the year prior. Furthermore, out of the top eight brands that were established before 2023, Billson’s experienced the highest percentage of growth, up 173% on the year before, after adding a cumulative $92 million to the industry.
According to Cowan, “the challenges we’ve encountered in 2024 have been vast and incomprehensible in scale.
“We’ve tried everything imaginable over the past 6 months to avoid this situation, including restructuring on two occasions, however we now believe this to be the necessary step for survival.”
Today’s news adds to the long list of Australian liquor businesses that have entered into voluntary administration this year. This morning, Drinks Trade shared this article looking into recent administrations and liquidations in the craft brewing sector. Another recent and ongoing voluntary administration that Drinks Trade will continue to report on is that of Mighty Craft, which appointed voluntary administrators last Monday 22 July.
“We know how difficult the current environment is out there for everyone,” said Cowan.
“With so many family businesses teetering on the edge, any support you are able to provide your local businesses, in any way at all, will mean more now than ever.”
Billson’s will continue to operate its venue and online store as normal while the administrators reassess the structure and economic viability of the business.
“We will do everything possible to work through this so Billson’s can emerge more resilient as a business and ready to take on another century,” said Cowan.
“The brewery has stood proud for over 150 years and has undoubtedly faced many other perilous times.
“Despite our many shortcomings, we will never give up. With all of its remarkable local history, we believe that Billson’s will get through this, so people can enjoy it, well into the future.”
