Australian beverages brand Billson’s has plunged into voluntary administration as a perfect storm of challenges strikes independent brewers.
Husband-and-wife team Nathan and Felicity Cowan, who ran the historic brewery in Beechworth, northeast Victoria, are devastated by the collapse of the company which was founded in 1865.
The couple blamed the downfall of the ready-to-drink canned vodka, craft beer and cordial business on a sharp decline in customer spending due to rising inflation and the high government excise tax on spirits.
‘Over the course of seven years, everyone’s hard work and passion has resulted in overwhelming support by people all over Australia and some pretty incredible business growth,’ the owners said in a statement.
