A Sunshine Coast brewery has been acquired by a leading hospitality group and is set to become the “centrepiece” of an historic pub.
The Eumundi Brewery was purchased by the Comiskey Group from Lion.
The facility is located within the historic The Imperial Hotel, which was bought by the company in 2023.
Director Rob Comiskey said he had always been a fan of the Eumundi Brewery brand and products.
“One of the main reasons we purchased The Imperial Hotel was its connection to the brewery,” he said.
“We saw the site as an iconic landmark for the Sunshine Coast, brimming with untapped potential. Owning the brewery as well was an obvious next step, enabling us to invest further and make it the centrepiece of the hotel.”
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The purchase marks the company’s debut in the brewing industry, following on from their extensive experience in hotel operations and the launch of Comiskey Distillery in 2022.
Eumundi Lager was first introduced in 1988, spearheaded by brewing engineer and developer John Lynch, who brought together investors to establish a brewery in Eumundi.
They acquired The Imperial Hotel, where they installed a microbrewery and launched the iconic Eumundi Lager.
However, after a brief period as a publicly-listed company, the microbrewery at The Imperial Hotel ceased operations and production was outsourced to Yatala Brewery.
In 1998, Castlemaine Perkins (now Lion) purchased the Eumundi beer brands from Carlton & United Breweries, but brewing of these brands was discontinued in 2004.
In 2016, Lion revived the much-loved Eumundi craft beer, returning production to its original home at The Imperial Hotel.
By 2017, the new-look Eumundi Brewery officially reopened, launching fresh brews, including a new lager and pale ale.
Mr Comiskey said preserving the brewery’s legacy was “a priority”.
“We are thankful Lion revived such a nostalgic brand, building it to what it is today,” he said.
“Eumundi Brewery has a solid foundation for us to continue to grow and distribute Australia-wide.
“With this growth, the brewery will create even more local employment opportunities. We are excited to see what the future holds.”
The Comiskey Group has made substantial improvements to The Imperial Hotel.
Significant upgrades have been completed, including the renovation and opening of a new front bar, gaming room, TAB area and band room.
The second stage of upgrades is underway. Ongoing renovations are transforming key areas of the hotel, such as the kids’ room, restaurant, function room, and beer garden.
The hotel purchase also encompassed the 15-room boutique accommodation, which has been extensively enhanced. New wellness facilities have been introduced, including a magnesium enriched heated pool, a hot spa, and a BBQ area, elevating the guest experience to new heights.
Mr Comiskey said the local brew was prominent at the hotel.
“We serve Eumundi Brewery on tap: it’s the freshest beer on the Sunshine Coast, poured straight from the vats to the taps,” he said.
“Visitors can enjoy local live music at The Imperial Hotel, all while savouring a lager crafted in-house.
“It’s a distinctive and authentic local experience that we take pride in continuing.
“We’re thrilled to expand the brewery’s brand presence, not only at The Imperial Hotel but across our other venues and nationwide.”
