By Tracey Barker
Internationally acclaimed New Zealand craft beer brand Monteith's have announced a deal representing a 20-fold increase in sales to Australia.
The contract entails supplying the three key styles of Monteith's Original, Black and Golden Lager to 500 Woolworth's liquor stores. It is anticipated the range will be expanded to include the Monteith's Pilsner and Celtic brands during 2003.
Established in 1868, Monteith's was acquired by DB Breweries in 1969, and recently underwent a NZ$60 million redevelopment of its Auckland brewery.
While the company was unprepared to disclose what the deal represented in terms of value, DB Breweries managing director Brian Blake said that they were "extremely excited about this latest opportunity which represents a significant increase on previous sales to Australia."
Blake also commented that the expansion would enable the company to focus on other potential sales targets, including growing the domestic market.
