The brewing company part-owned by cricketer Brett Lee, Sydney Beer Co, has gone into administration.

Founded in 2016, Sydney Beer Co supplies its products to more than 350 venues and is also stocked by Endeavour Group and independent liquor outlets.

Documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show the brewer went into administration on 7 March.

RSM Australia partners Richard Stone and Brett Lord have been appointed as administrators of the company, with the first meeting of creditors to be held on 19 March.

Lee is listed on the Sydney Beer Co website as having been a co-owner since 2022, together with actor-writer Matt Nable. ASIC records show Dean Woodbridge and David Catterall were also directors of the company.

Sydney Beer Co’s US operations unaffected

A privately-owned extension of Sydney Beer Co was established in the United States last year and is unaffected by the Australian administration proceedings.

A spokesman said Sydney Beer Co was trading strongly in the US and “showing tremendous growth”, with its products brewed by Dan Gordon from California’s Gordon Biersch Brewery. 

Sydney Beer Co launched in the US with a lavish party in Santa Monica in September 2024, with the brand also featuring at the Solento Surf Festival in Southern California later that month.

“We’re excited to introduce Sydney Beer Co. to the US and start in the vibrant communities of Southern California,” said USA COO Drew Dunlap.

“With the expertise of Dan Gordon and a craft-minded approach to brewing, we’ve paired our dedication to quality with a commercial strategy to bring this one-of-a-kind Australian beer to local consumers.”

Sydney Beer Co tinnies were also the toast of Australian comedian Andy Lee’s Aussie-themed pub in New York City when it opened on 21 February.

“We had just shy of 3000 beers in stock and we ran out by 9.30pm and ended up closing the bar at 10pm,” part-owner Eddy Buckingham told news.com.au.