Miller parent company acquires Australian brewer
SABMiller plc, the parent company of Miller Brewing Co., announced that Pacific Beverages Pty Ltd., its joint venture with Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd. (CCA), has acquired Bluetongue Brewery Pty Ltd., an Australian premium brewer.
Bluetongue was established in 2003 and operates from a brewery near Newcastle, New South Wales. Its premium beer brands include Bluetongue Premium Lager, Bluetongue Premium Light, Bluetongue Traditional Pilsner, Bluetongue Alcoholic Ginger Beer and Bondi Blonde.
Bluetongue’s sales have grown by more than 70 percent this year.
The acquisition will give Pacific Beverages greater access to the Australian premium beer market, which has grown at a rate of around 15 percent each year for the last six years. Ari Mervis, managing director SABMiller Asia, said, “The Australian premium beer market is growing strongly year-on-year. Pacific Beverages is well placed to capitalize on this trend and our expertise in premium brand management together with CCA’s distribution strength means that we can accelerate the development of the Bluetongue brands and grow our share of the premium beer market in Australia.”
The value of the gross assets acquired is approximately $12.3 million. The purchase price was not disclosed.
Bluetongue’s name originates from the blue-tongued lizard, one of Australia’s favorite native creatures.
