Award-winning Gold Coast brewer Black Hops has been acquired by Tribe Breweries after entering voluntary administration in July.

The purchase means all Queensland roles will be retained and 90% nationally with the new owners forecasting more jobs will be created in the near future.

General Manager Nathan Seamons said: “This is a wonderful day for everyone involved in the business but also for the
millions of Australians who simply love a Black Hops beer.

“It’s been a difficult period, absolutely, but the future is looking very bright – it’s a new era for the brand and we couldn’t be happier.

“Our priority was protecting our incredible team and just making damn good beer. We’ve had so much support from the Gold Coast and around Australia. Fair to say, we’ve found our Tribe.”

Black Hops was founded on the Gold Coast in 2014, opening its Burleigh Heads taphouse in 2016 and winning Australia’s Best Craft Brewery in 2023.

In 2024, the brand entered voluntary administration for the first time as overheads took a toll; and again in July this year following an unsuccessful private sale and continued business challenges.

Tribe Breweries seeks sustainable Black Hops growth

Tribe Breweries—which also owns Stockade Brew Co, Mornington Peninsula Brewery and Wilde Brewing Co—is now investing heavily in the beer maker, although the exact buyout figure is commercial in confidence.

Tribe Breweries CEO Heath Baker said: “The Gold Coast is Black Hops’ spiritual home and that’s exactly where it’s going to
stay.

“It has a great range of beers with a loyal fanbase, so we’re excited to pay homage to its proud history while looking forward to 2027 and beyond.

“We weren’t involved in the first two administrations, and that’s an important distinction – this a clean slate for Black Hops.

“We’re focused on growing the business while aligning our operations and cost base to support sustainable, long term growth, improving financial discipline and investing in the brand and people – we’re here for the long term.

“The beer industry has changed, and the business needs to change with it. We recognise that recent years have affected the confidence of some long-term supporters, including many of the people who backed Black Hops during its early
growth – we cannot ask for that trust back through one announcement; we know we need to earn it through what we do next.

“The Gold Coast is a wonderful beer making region and Black Hops is a big part of that.”

Pictured main: Nathan Seamons, Cayle Lutas and Thomas Bates.