Australians have reacted with shock and confusion to the news that a beloved beer brewing company has collapsed into administration.
On Tuesday, Brisbane’s popular Ballistic Beer Company went into voluntary administration, according to a filing lodged with ASIC.
The firm, which is one of Queensland’s best-known independent brewing companies, has appointed Jason Stone and Paul Allen from PKF Melbourne as administrators.
Ballistic Beer Company’s co-founder David Kitchen has indicated the business is hoping to trade its way out of disaster.
He assured industry publication The Crafty Pint that the appointment was to massively restructure the business.
“The present intention is to continue trading,” Mr Kitchen confirmed. “Ballistic Beer is still available online, in venues and at great retailers nearest you.”
“The aim of that VA [voluntary administration] is just to reorganise and restore the balance sheet,” he told BrewsNews, another trade press publication.
Now the community is rallying to stir up support and sales for the embattled brewer.
One of those community members is Peter Russo, local MP for the state seat of Toohey, who called on everyone to visit the company’s flagship Salisbury Brewery venue, which sits in his electorate.
“I’m sure I speak for many people in our community when I say I hope the team at our local Ballistic Beer are able to work their way through this,” Mr Russo wrote.
He said they were still trading at all their venues, including the Salisbury one, and also posted the link to their online sales website.
“Thinking of everyone involved – especially all the workers and their families – while they sort this out,” he finished.
news.com.au contacted Mr Russo for further comment.
Social media is also abuzz with the news of the brewery’s bump in the road
“Oh no. This is so sad. Great beers,” said one person.
Another piled in, saying “Ballistic Beer is fabulous, love visiting their Cannonvale Brewery and wile the arvo away.”
A third said: “It’s voluntary administration NOT liquidation! More so than ever everyone needs to support these guys.”
“Hopefully they can work through this and keep their staff employed.”
“So sad to hear you’re in administration. Here’s hoping you come out the other side and stronger like @easytimes.brewingco with the help of PKF,” another wrote.
Easy Times, another Brisbane brewery, bounced back from administration just last month and even threw their support behind the rival brewery, responding: “We hope Ballistic Beer come out of this stronger than ever too”.
A staff member also made a public plea for the business to be shown some local love.
“Come support ya local guys – as someone who works for Ballistic we strive to offer the friendliest service and tastiest beers!!” she wrote.
“We’re doing just fine but the support would still mean a whole lot.”
If all goes well, the brewery expects to be out of the danger zone within the next five weeks.
“The aim of that VA [voluntary administration] is just to reorganise and restore the balance sheet,” Mr Kitchen said.
“And we expect to be out of it in five weeks time, and onwards and upwards.”
Since then, Ballistic has grown to be an independent, multi-award-winning brewery, opening its first tap room to the public at the flagship Salisbury Brewery in April 2017 and going on to add another four venues, in Brisbane’s West End, Springfield, Bundaberg and Airlie Beach.
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