Australian Brewers Guild trading as Hawkers Beer - Voluntary Administration

Australian Brewers Guild trading as Hawkers Beer, a Melbourne-based brewing company, entered voluntary administration on 12 February, citing economic pressures such as increased input costs and taxes, as well as restrictions on market access by bigger players who have restrained access to taps and shelf space.

The company said that it has already restructured to become more sustainable and profitable, and that it is up to date on payments to suppliers and all taxes other than excise tax, but that the ATO was unwilling to give it the time it needed to pay back the debt.

Atle Crowe-Maxwell of DBA Reconstruction and Advisory was appointed as administrator while the company continues to operate as usual.