Better Beer
Better Beer is an Australian independent beverage company founded in 2021 that produces and sells a portfolio of better-for-you beers and low-sugar alcoholic drinks — including Zero Carb, Middy, Halfy and Ginger Beer — across 7,600+ retailers in Australia and, since 2025, in New Zealand.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Better Beer does
Better Beer Company Pty Ltd is an Australian independent beverage producer founded in November 2021 and headquartered in Torquay, Victoria, with brewing operations in Griffith, New South Wales. The company produces a portfolio of better-for-you alcoholic beverages led by Zero Carb — which it identifies as Australia's first and #1 selling Zero Carb beer — and extended through Middy (ultra low carb mid-strength, 3% ABV), Halfy (2.1% ABV half-strength lager), Ginger Beer (50% less sugar than typical alcoholic ginger beer), Better Cider (<1.7g sugar per 100mL), Arvo Ale and a Zero Alc variant produced via vacuum evaporation. Products are sold in 355mL cans, 330mL stubbies and 50L kegs across more than 7,600 Australian retailers, with international distribution launched in New Zealand in 2025.
The business is co-owned by comedians Matt Ford and Jack Steele (The Inspired Unemployed) and Nick Cogger, a Torquay publican, a structure that underpins a community-driven, influencer-led go-to-market model. Australian distribution is handled by Casella Family Brands under a strategic partnership established in December 2024 (replacing the original Mighty Craft arrangement from 2021), while merchandise and limited-edition collaborations with brands such as TaylorMade, Gray-Nicolls and Fractel are sold direct-to-consumer via a Shopify storefront.
Revenue is generated primarily through wholesale beverage sales to retail chains (Dan Murphy's, BWS, Liquor Legends, Bottlemart and New Zealand grocery banners), complemented by merchandise e-commerce and sponsorship income. By November 2025 the company had sold 100 million cumulative cans and recorded over AUD 95 million in retail sales with 12 million litres shipped in the trailing year, positioning it as Australia's second-largest independent beer brand behind Coopers Brewery.
Better Beer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Better Beer
- Legal name
- Better Beer Company Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://betterbeer.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Better Beer is an Australian independent beverage company founded in 2021 that produces and sells a portfolio of better-for-you beers and low-sugar alcoholic drinks — including Zero Carb, Middy, Halfy and Ginger Beer — across 7,600+ retailers in Australia and, since 2025, in New Zealand.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Better Beer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Beer & Low-Carb Beverages
- NAICS
- Breweries (312120)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Retail (Bottle Shops & Beer Merchants) (CRANABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Craft Beer Retail & Bottle Shops (Off-Premise) (CRANAAAC), Liquor Stores (Off-Premise Spirits Retail) (CRANABAA)
Keywords
Where Better Beer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Better Beer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- Beer and Beverage Sales: Primary revenue from selling alcoholic beverages (beer, cider, ginger beer) through retail distribution channels including major chains (Dan Murphy's, BWS), independent bottle shops, and supermarkets. Sold in various formats: 355mL cans, 330mL stubbies, 50L kegs, and multi-packs.
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including clothing (hoodies, t-shirts, singlets), accessories (golf gear, socks, stubby coolers), and limited edition items through their Shopify storefront.
- Sponsorships: Revenue from brand sponsorships and event partnerships, with a formal sponsorship inquiry process for interested parties.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel - Hoodies |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Apparel - T-shirts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Premium Golf Gear |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Limited Edition Items |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Better Beer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Better Beer produces and sells a portfolio of better-for-you alcoholic beverages in Australia and New Zealand, including Australia's first Zero Carb beer, ultra low carb mid-strength (Middy) and half-strength (Halfy) lagers, lower-sugar Ginger Beer, low-sugar Better Cider, Arvo Ale, and Zero Alc. Products are sold in 355mL cans, 330mL stubbies, and 50L kegs through major retail chains, independent bottle shops, and a direct Shopify merchandise store.
Product overview
Better Beer is an Australian independent brewery founded in November 2021 by comedians Matt Ford & Jack Steele (The Inspired Unemployed) and Nick Cogger. The company offers a portfolio of better-for-you alcoholic beverages including Zero Carb (Australia's #1 Zero Carb beer), Middy (ultra low carb mid-strength), Halfy (half-strength lager), Ginger Beer, Better Cider, Arvo Ale, and Zero Alc. The brand positions itself as a health-conscious alternative in the beer market, emphasizing zero/low carb, low sugar, and gluten-free options. Distribution is managed through Casella Family Brands across 7,600+ retailers in Australia, with expansion into New Zealand. The company also operates a merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zero Carb Australia's #1 selling Zero Carb beer — crisp and refreshing with zero carbs, zero sugar, 87 calories per 355mL, 4.2% ABV, made from water, malted barley, hops and yeast. Available in 355mL cans, 330mL stubbies, and 50L kegs for retail and hospitality.
- Middy Ultra low carb mid-strength beer with 3% ABV, 0.7g carbs per 355mL, designed for everyday consumption with a super clean finish. Sold via independent retailers including Liquor Legends and Bottlemart under the 'Middy 30 Blocks' national program.
- Halfy Half-strength lager with 2.1% ABV and 0.6g carbs per 355mL, positioned for extended drinking occasions such as golf. Packaged in cans and stubbies.
- Ginger Beer Lower-sugar alcoholic ginger beer at 4% ABV, made from a seltzer base with ginger juice, cane sugar and natural flavours. Contains 4g sugar per 100mL (50% less than typical alcoholic ginger beers) and is gluten-free. Distributed in Australia and New Zealand.
- Better Cider Low-sugar, gluten-free apple cider at 4.2% ABV with less than 1.7g sugar per 100mL. Sold exclusively through Dan Murphy's and BWS.
- Arvo Ale Ultra low carb Pacific Ale brewed with Pale Wheat Malt and featuring tropical passionfruit and citrus flavours from Galaxy and Vic Secret hops. 4.2% ABV.
- Zero Alc Zero alcohol beer produced using a vacuum evaporation method to remove alcohol while retaining traditional beer flavour. Contains less than 0.5% ABV.
- Better Beer Branded Merchandise Direct-to-consumer e-commerce range of Better Beer branded apparel (hoodies $80-85, t-shirts $35-75, singlets), accessories (golf towels, socks, stubby coolers, keychains, car air fresheners), premium golf gear (Tour Bag $450, TaylorMade x Better Beer golf balls $29) and limited-edition collaboration items including artist series collections and Gray-Nicolls cricket gear.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100 million cans sold since November 2021 launch
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Better Beer
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Better Beer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration5 records
Feature3 records
Better Beer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Casella Family BrandscoreStrategic distribution partnership with Casella Family Brands, Australia's largest family-owned wine and spirits company. Casella took over Australian distribution in December 2024, providing national distribution reach across all retail channels. This partnership enabled Better Beer's expansion to 7,600+ retailers and supports the company's growth trajectory.
- Mighty CraftcoreInitial distribution and investment partner when Better Beer launched in 2021. Mighty Craft helped establish Better Beer's initial national distribution across Australia: 'from Tassie to Cape York; Carrawang to Byron; and everywhere in between.'
- New World (New Zealand)coreNew Zealand retail partner for Better Beer Zero Carb and Ginger Beer distribution. Products available in 10-packs at New World stores nationwide.
- PAK'nSAVE (New Zealand)coreNew Zealand retail partner for Better Beer Zero Carb and Ginger Beer distribution. Products available in 10-packs at PAK'nSAVE stores nationwide.
- Four Square (New Zealand)minorNew Zealand retail partner for Better Beer Zero Carb and Ginger Beer distribution, providing reach to local communities across NZ.
- TaylorMademinorLicensed partnership for co-branded golf balls - TaylorMade Distance+ golf balls stamped with Better Beer logo. Collaboration targets golf enthusiasts in Better Beer's customer base.
- FractelminorLicensed partnership for co-branded athletic apparel including caps, socks, t-shirts, and singlets under the Fractel x Better Beer collection.
- Blake GordonminorArtist Series collaboration featuring New Zealand illustrator Blake Gordon from Kerikeri. Designs celebrate fishing club culture with products like Bait of Champions Tee.
- Vacation Studios (Sam Baker)minorArtist Series collaboration featuring New Zealand artist Sam Baker from Wanaka. Collection celebrates nature, camping, and outdoor beer drinking moments with Vacation Studios merchandise line.
- Gray-NicollsminorLicensed partnership for cricket gear including abdo guards, towelling bucket hats, and cricket sets under the Gray-Nicolls x Better Beer collection.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Better Beer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lion (Kirin): Australia's largest brewer and major CUB competitor (XXXX, James Squire, Stone & Wood post-acquisition). Broad incumbent that competes with Better Beer on shelf space and is also the most likely strategic acquirer of an independent Australian brewer reaching Better Beer's scale.
- Carlton & United Breweries (Asahi): Major Australian brewer (owned by Asahi), maker of Carlton Dry and other mainstream beers. Provides incumbent competitive pressure in the low-carb mainstream category where Better Beer competes and is a likely strategic acquirer of independent brands.
Direct peers
- BrewDog: Global independent craft beer brand with strong brand-led marketing, diversified portfolio (including low-alcohol and non-alcoholic lines), and international distribution. Comparable to Better Beer as a brand- and marketing-led craft brewer building a portfolio that extends into adjacent lifestyle categories.
- Balter Brewing Company: Australian craft brewery with strong brand identity and lifestyle-led marketing. Acquired by Carlton & United Breweries, illustrative of the exit path available to successful independent Australian craft brands at scale similar to Better Beer's trajectory.
- Coopers Brewery: Australia's largest family-owned independent brewery. Better Beer is explicitly described as the second-largest independent beer brand in Australia behind Coopers, making Coopers the most direct Australian independent brewer comparable on scale, distribution model, and ownership archetype.
- Pirate Life Brewing: Australian craft brewery with national distribution and brand-led positioning. Direct peer in the Australian independent craft beer space with comparable retail footprint across Australian liquor chains.
- Stone & Wood: Australian independent craft brewery with a portfolio spanning mainstream craft lagers and brand extensions. Directly comparable to Better Beer as an Australian independent brewer operating in premium/craft space; their CFO (Chris Pensabene) recently joined Better Beer, indicating deep industry adjacency and prior scaling playbook.
Emerging players
- Heaps Normal: Australian better-for-you alcohol brand focused on non-alcoholic beer. Overlaps with Better Beer's healthier-for-you positioning and Zero Alc SKU; both target the same health-conscious Australian consumer segment.
- Athletic Brewing Company: US-based non-alcoholic and low-calorie craft brewer. Comparable to Better Beer's better-for-you product strategy and emerging global presence in the health-conscious alcohol category.
- White Bay Beer Co. Australian independent craft brewery with national retail distribution. Comparable in scale category and similar growth-stage profile to Better Beer as a younger Australian independent brand expanding through retail.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Better Beer social profiles
Digital presenceBetter Beer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Better Beer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Better Beer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Better Beer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Better Beer
What does Better Beer do?
Better Beer produces and sells a portfolio of better-for-you alcoholic beverages in Australia and New Zealand, including Australia's first Zero Carb beer, ultra low carb mid-strength (Middy) and half-strength (Halfy) lagers, lower-sugar Ginger Beer, low-sugar Better Cider, Arvo Ale, and Zero Alc. Products are sold in 355mL cans, 330mL stubbies, and 50L kegs through major retail chains, independent bottle shops, and a direct Shopify merchandise store.
Is Better Beer a public or private company?
Better Beer is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Better Beer founded?
Better Beer was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Better Beer based?
Better Beer is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Better Beer make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Beer and Beverage Sales are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales and sponsorships.
Who are Better Beer's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lion (Kirin) and Carlton & United Breweries (Asahi). Direct peers are BrewDog, Balter Brewing Company, Coopers Brewery, Pirate Life Brewing and Stone & Wood. Emerging players are Heaps Normal, Athletic Brewing Company and White Bay Beer Co..
Does Better Beer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Better Beer.
What industry is Better Beer in?
Better Beer's product category is Craft Beer & Low-Carb Beverages. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRANABAC, Beer Retail (Bottle Shops & Beer Merchants), with a secondary code of CRANAAAC, Craft Beer Retail & Bottle Shops (Off-Premise). Its NAICS code is 312120 and its SIC code is 2082.