OUR HISTORY
Explore the journey of our company, from humble beginnings to a global beverage leader
2000 - TODAY
CHEERS TO THE FUTURE
AUSTRALIA
2025
Iconic brand homes open their doors
The brand homes of Little Creatures in Fremantle and James Boag’s Brewery in Launceston reopen to the public following multi-million–dollar upgrades.
ANZ
2025
LION, an Australian & New Zealand powerhouse
A new operating model is in place which focuses LION on our core markets of New Zealand, where we were founded, and Australia, where we are headquartered – with New Belgium Brewing and Distinguished Vineyards in the United States now reporting directly to KIRIN.
AUSTRALIA
2025
LION becomes a Certified B Corporation
We become a Certified B Corporation, supporting our long-term commitment to be a Force for Good, as well as a Force for Growth.
AUSTRALIA
2024
The zero carb trend emerges
LION launches the Ultra Zero Carb range of zero carbohydrate beers under its Hahn, XXXX, Tooheys and Byron Bay brands in Australia – defining a new sub category in Australian beers to meet the evolving needs of our consumers.
AUSTRALIA
2024
Making a splash at Tooheys
A reverse osmosis water plant is launched at our Tooheys Brewery in Sydney, delivering water savings per year equivalent of 5.3 million kegs or 108 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
AUSTRALIA
2023
Hyoketsu arrives Down Under
KIRIN Hyoketsu arrives in Australia and New Zealand– the second countries outside of Japan to receive the popular KIRIN Hyoketsu pre-mix vodka, soda and frozen natural lemon juice drink.
AUSTRALIA
2023
LION acquires Four Pillars
We take 100% ownership of iconic Australian gin distillery Four Pillars, and Four Pillars is crowned World’s Best Gin Maker… again. It is the first time any gin producer, let alone an Australian distillery, has won this award three times, with Four Pillars receiving the same accolade back-to-back in 2019 and 2020.
AUSTRALIA
2022
Giving a XXXX about sustainability
The XXXX Castlemaine Brewery in Brisbane goes green by using 100% renewable electricity.
AUSTRALIA
2021
Stone & Wood joins the pride
We acquire the iconic Stone & Wood business and brand based in Byron Bay and Murwillumbah in the Northern Rivers of NSW.
AUSTRALIA
2021
Dairy & Drinks divestment
We sell our Dairy & Drinks business to Bega Cheese Limited, including brands such as Dare, Yoplait and Dairy Farmers.
NEW ZEALAND
2021
Lion NZ achieves Toitū Carbonzero certification
We become New Zealand’s first large-scale beverage company to be Toitū Net Carbon Zero certified.
AUSTRALIA
2020
Clean future and a sharp focus
LION Australia becomes the first major carbon neutral certified brewer in Australia.
AUSTRALIA
2019
Focused growth
LION takes stakes in Vanguard Luxury Brands and Four Pillars Gin, furthering our partnerships in craft and premium spirits. We also acquire leading U.S. craft brewer New Belgium Brewing and sell our specialty cheese business to Saputo Dairy Australia, including the King Island Dairy, Tasmanian Heritage and South Cape brands.
ANZ
2018
Stepping into coffee In New Zealand
LION acquires New Zealand’s Havana Coffee Works.
ANZ
2017
Innovation in New Zealand
Speight’s Summit Ultra Low Carb beer is born in New Zealand – it will go on to become New Zealand’s number one selling beer.
ANZ
2016
New brews
LION acquires Panhead in New Zealand and Byron Bay Brewery in Australia. New Emersons Brewery opens in Dunedin, NZ after more than three years of planning and a 12-month build. We also sell our Fine Wine Partners business to Accolade Wines.
ANZ
2015
Going global, brewing local
LION Global Markets is established with a drive to take a little of LION’s best Australian and New Zealand craft beers and ciders to the rest of the world and accelerate growth of the wine business in North America. We also sell our everyday cheese business to Warrnambool Cheese and Butter. White Rabbit opens a new brewery and barrel hall in Geelong.
ANZ
2014
New vines, more beer
LION acquires Morton Estate in NZ from The Wine Portfolio. The purchase includes Morton Estate’s Stone Creek vineyard, adjacent to LION’s Wither Hills property in Marlborough. Little Creatures Geelong opens, more than doubling the brand’s brewing capacity in Australia.
NEW ZEALAND
2013
Alcohol&Me: helping Kiwis to make smarter drinking choices
LION’s Alcohol&Me education program launches in NZ, first as an internal program, expanding to the public in 2015.
ANZ
2011
One name, three businesses
We become LION – and formally retire the Lion Nathan company name.
NEW ZEALAND
2010
The Pride: A new era in South Auckland
LION opens The Pride, a large, state-of-the-art, multi-beverage facility and brewery in South Auckland. The Khyber Pass Brewery closes. We also acquire a dozen new wine labels from Pernod Ricard including New Zealand’s most successful sparkling wine brand Lindauer.
ANZ
2009
KIRIN fully acquires LION
Kirin Holdings Company Limited assumes 100 per cent ownership of Lion Nathan.
AUSTRALIA
2008
Boags joins Lion
LION acquires iconic Tasmanian brewer J. Boag & Son.
ANZ
2001
Raising a glass to premium wine
We purchase a controlling interest in premium Australian wine companies Petaluma and Banksia, with brands including Petaluma, Stonier, Croser, Mitchelton, Knappstein, Tatachilla, St Hallett and Oregon-based Argyle Wines. A year later, we acquire New Zealand wine company Wither Hills.
AUSTRALIA
2000
New home in Australia
Lion Nathan shifts its domicile and primary stock exchange listing to Australia.