Award-winning Deeds Brewing goes into administration in what shapes as another terrible year for the industry

Award-winning brewery Deeds Brewing has gone into voluntary administration in what is shaping up to be another terrible year for the country’s boutique brewers.

The company, based in Glen Iris, Melbourne, entered administration on Wednesday, according to ASIC records.

David Orr and Glen Kanevsky of Deloitte have been appointed joint administrators, reported 9 News.

The fate of around 50 employees depends on whether the business – which includes Deeds Group Pty Ltd, Deeds Brewing Company Pty Ltd, Future Proof Distilling Pty Ltd and Deeds Taproom Pty Ltd – can be restructured or sold to a new owner.

“It is very early days in this process as we take over management of the company and begin a review of its financial position,” Kanevsky said in a statement.

“At the moment it is a case of business as usual and continuing to trade while we explore urgent options for sale or recapitalization.”

The beer debuted as Quiet Deeds in 2012 amid Australia’s craft brewing explosion, founded by college mates Patrick Alé and David Milstein.

Its brewery operation has expanded in the last decade to include an on-site dining room and kitchen.

It has won a number of awards for its beers.

The news continues a horror year for Australia’s craft brewing industry, marked by rising costs and slowing consumer demand amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Since the start of the year, small and medium-sized breweries including Big Shed, Hawkers and Golden West have all gone into administration.

They followed other outfits such as Ballistic, Parched, Wicked Elf and Running With Thieves that collapsed during 2023.