Sunshine Coast beverage barons Eumundi Brewery has been acquired by Brisbane firm the Comiskey Group.
Situated within their historic 113-year-old venue, The Imperial Hotel—which was purchased in October
2023—Comiskey Group says the brewery is set to become a cornerstone of the group’s operations.
Eumundi Brewery was bought by Lion in 1998.
This strategic acquisition allows the Comiskey Group to optimise the brewery’s role in venue operations while elevating visitor experiences by making it a focal point of the business.
Marking their debut in the brewing industry, this move represents a natural evolution for the group, from their extensive experience in hotel operations and the launch of Comiskey Distillery in 2022.
Comiskey Group Director, Rob Comiskey, says he has always been a fan of the Eumundi Brewery products and brand.
“One of the main reasons we purchased The Imperial Hotel was its connection to the brewery.
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,” Mr Comiskey said.
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.
The group 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.
Later, in 1998, Castlemaine Perkins (now Lion) purchased the Eumundi beer brands from Carlton & United
Breweries (CUB), 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 August 2017, the new Eumundi Brewery officially reopened, launching fresh brews, including a new Lager and Pale Ale, honouring its legacy and commitment to quality.
“With its deep roots in the Eumundi community, preserving the brewery’s legacy was a priority for me. We are thankful Lion revived such a nostalgic brand, building it to what it is today. Eumundi
Brewery has a solid foundation for us to continue to grow and distribute Australia-wide,” Mr Comiskey said.
“With this growth, the brewery will create even more local employment opportunities. We are excited to see what the future holds” he said.
Now in the hands of The Imperial Hotel operators, a Queensland family.
The investment into the brewery should come as no surprise to the community, who have witnessed substantial investments since The Comiskey Group acquired The Imperial Hotel.
Significant upgrades have already been completed, including the renovation and opening of a new front bar, gaming room, TAB area, and band room as part of the first stage of renovations, with the second stage currently underway.
“We serve Eumundi Brewery on tap—it’s the freshest beer on the Sunshine Coast, poured straight from the vats to the taps! Visitors can enjoy local live music at The Imperial Hotel, all while savouring a
lager crafted in-house,” Mr Comiskey said.
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,” he said.
