)
Independent brewer Better Beer has defied the challenges facing the craft beer sector, including the collapse of former major shareholder Mighty Craft, to announce a milestone 100 million cans sold since launch and more than $95 million in retail sales over the past year.
The Torquay-based Better Beer, which was founded in 2021 by Aussie comedians Matt Ford and Jack Steele along with their friend Nick Cogger, says its business currently sits behind the 150-year-old Coopers Brewery in branded beer sales volume as an independent operator.
The company is also forecasting volumes to grow by more than 20 per cent to more than 14 million litres in sales annually in FY26.
The brand first captured the imagination of beer drinkers through clever marketing featuring Ford and Steel, a comic duo who made their mark on Instagram as The Inspired Unemployed.
Better Beer says its success has been aided by one of the largest social communities in the Australian liquor sector, boasting more than 260,000 followers across multiple platforms, including 227,000 on Instagram.
Cogger, the Better Beer CEO, says the 100-million-can milestone highlights the brand’s momentum and its long-term potential in both domestic and international markets.
“When we first launched, there were plenty of people who thought Better Beer was a ‘flash-in-the-pan’ brand, but we’ve proven them wrong,” says Cogger.
“Reaching the 100-million-can milestone in under four years is a huge achievement and a real testament to the hard work and passion of our team.
“It shows just how much consumers have embraced Better Beer and the shift towards better-for-you options.”
The Better Beer product range includes Better Beer Zero Carb, Ultra Low Carb Middy, Lower Sugar Ginger Beer, Low Sugar Better Cider and Zero Alc.
“We’re proud of what we’ve built so far, but this is really just the beginning,” says Cogger.
“We see plenty of room for growth here in Australia, across New Zealand, and beyond.”
Better Beer is targeting sales volumes of more than 20 million litres annually over the next few years.
Better Beer has grown despite challenges facing the craft beer sector which has claimed larger enterprises, including Mighty Craft.
The former ASX-listed Mighty Craft, which was placed into administration last year, held a 33 per cent stake in Better Beer and at one stage had proposed a merger of the business with its own operations.
Following the collapse of Mighty Craft, its senior lender Pure Asset Management is now in control of that 33 per cent stake after creditors agreed to a buyout of Mighty Craft by the Bangalow-based funds manager.
Better Beer says its next phase of expansion is supported by a strategic distribution partnership with Casella Family Brands, which was secured in December last year, strengthening the company’s route to market and national availability.
Internationally, the company says it continues to gain traction, recently extending its New Zealand retail offering to include Better Beer Zero Carb and Better Beer Ginger Beer in 10-packs.
To help drive its next growth phase, Better Beer has appointed Chris Pensabene, a former Stone & Wood chief financial officer, as its new CFO.
"I’m thrilled to join Better Beer at such an exciting stage of its journey,” says Pensabene.
“The brand has achieved remarkable momentum in a short time, and I’m looking forward to helping guide the next chapter.”
)
