Hop Nation Brewing Co.

What Hop Nation Brewing Co. does

Hop Nation Brewing Co. is a Melbourne-based independent craft brewery founded in 2016, operating from a converted 1880s candle factory on the Maribyrnong River in Footscray, Victoria, with a secondary brewing site in Mornington. The company produces small-batch beers built on a foundation of cross-disciplinary winemaking expertise — the Site Fermentation Project applies mixed-fermentation and barrel-aging techniques to its experimental ales, while the Site Wine brand (launched 2016) extends this minimal-intervention philosophy into Victorian still wines, and Dart Distilling (launched September 2021 with a 1250L pot still) produces small-batch Table Gin and Boat Gin. A non-beer adjacent line, Dog Nation, supplies veterinarian-approved bone-broth beverages for dogs made from 100% human-grade whole foods. Across its beer portfolio the company operates a core range (including the multi-award-winning Rattenhund Pilsner, The Heart Pale Ale, The Chop IPA, J. Juice Hazy IPA, and Melbourne Black stout), an extensive limited-release catalogue anchored by the annual Kalash Imperial Stout (now in its 10th year), and an alcohol-free range (Mind Ya Head, Opening Doors, Stars Align, No Buzz, Passing Storm) all under 0.5% ABV.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market model: direct-to-consumer via the hopnation.com.au e-commerce store (Australia-wide shipping with free VIC freight over $100), a 19-tap Footscray taproom hosting Good Pizza and a calendar of events/trivia/private functions up to 50 guests, and a comprehensive wholesale network covering all Australian states through specialised regional distributors — ACID Logistics (NSW/ACT/QLD beer), Veraison Wines (NSW/ACT/QLD Site Wine), The Wine Gang (WA), Sonic Syrup Distribution (TAS), Craft Beverage Co (SA), plus four dedicated Victorian sales reps covering West, CBD/South East, North, and Surf Coast/Regional territories. Revenue streams span one-time beer/wine/spirits/merchandise sales, $5–$220 digital gift cards, the $90/year Hop Citizens subscription membership, and limited-volume collaboration releases such as the 2026 Footscray Lager with the Western Bulldogs AFL club.

The company holds Producer's Licence No. 32807741 in Victoria, is independently owned with no disclosed external capital, and was founded by operators transitioning from the wine industry. Operations incorporate a sustainability programme (Project Green Hop) with a Zevero emissions-auditing platform and 182 solar panels at the Mornington site providing roughly 60% of on-site electricity. Awards credibility is a central brand asset: Rattenhund Pilsner ranked Australia's #1 Pilsner in the GABS Hottest 100 for three consecutive years (2022–2024) and won Gold at the 2023 Australian International Beer Awards; The Chop IPA earned the 2025 Consistency of Excellence Award; The Buzz American Red took Bronze at the 2024 World Beer Cup.

Name

Hop Nation Brewing Co.

Legal name

Hop Nation Brewing Co.

Website

https://hopnation.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hop Nation Brewing Co. is a Melbourne-based, founder-owned independent craft brewery founded in 2016, producing award-winning small-batch beers, gin, wine, non-alcoholic beers, and pet beverages, distributed across Australia via e-commerce, a flagship Footscray taproom, and a multi-state wholesale network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Craft Beer

NAICS

Breweries (31212), Distilleries (312140), Wineries (312130)

SIC

Malt Beverages (2082), Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer Brewing & Craft Brewing (AFAFAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcohol-Free & Low-Alcohol Beer/Wine/Spirits Production (AFAFAAAJ), Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA)

Keywords

• Craft beer brewing
• Small batch beer
• Non-alcoholic beer
• Craft spirits distilling
• Barrel-aged brewing

Headquarters

HQ city

Footscray

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales: Online sales through e-commerce store and taproom sales. Products include core range beers, limited releases, non-alcoholic beers, mixed cases and bundles. Core range includes 6 beers with prices from $7-$26 for single cans/bottles.
2. Hop Citizens Beer Club Membership: Annual membership program ($90/year) offering 10% off all purchases, $50 bar tab for birthday, exclusive merchandise (cap and pin), 4-pack of beer, and access to exclusive tastings and events.
3. Wholesale Distribution: B2B wholesale to pubs, bars, bottle shops across Australia through regional distributors. Victoria has dedicated sales team covering West, CBD/South East, North, and Surf Coast/Regional areas.
4. Spirits and Wine Sales: Dart Gin products (Table Gin $79, Boat Gin $98) and Site Wine project wines ($27-$53). Dart Distilling began September 2021 with 1250L pot still.
5. Merchandise and Ancillary Products: Branded merchandise including t-shirts, pint glasses, stubby holders, socks, jumpers, and gift cards. Also includes Fancy Hank's sauces and Ray Hard Seltzer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels12 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Melbourne-based craft brewery producing small-batch beers across core range, limited releases, and alcohol-free varieties, alongside Dart Distilling small-batch gins, Site Wine minimal-intervention Victorian wines, Site Fermentation Project barrel-aged sour ales, and Dog Nation veterinarian-approved dog beverages. Operations are based in an 1880s candle factory in Footscray with a 19-tap taproom, Australia-wide e-commerce store, and wholesale distribution through regional partners across all states.

Product overview

Hop Nation Brewing Co. is a Melbourne-based independent craft brewery operating from an 1880s candle factory in Footscray. The company offers a diversified portfolio of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages across multiple brands: Core Range beers (Melbourne Black, J. Juice Hazy IPA, Rattenhund Pilsner, The Heart Pale Ale, Footscray Draft, Melbourne Fog, The Chop IPA); Limited Releases including the annual Kalash Imperial Stout series; an extensive Alcohol-Free range; Dog Nation pet beverages; Site Wine minimal intervention Victorian wines; Dart Distilling gins; Site Fermentation Project barrel-aged sour ales; and Fancy Hank's sauces collaboration. The company operates a taproom with 19 beers on tap and a Hop Citizens membership program. Founded with winemaking roots, the brewery emphasizes flavour-first brewing with sustainable practices tracked via Zevero's carbon auditing platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dog Nation: Non-alcoholic beverages for dogs made with 100% human grade whole foods, veterinarian approved.
• Site Wine
• Dart Distilling
• Site Fermentation Project
• Sobremesa x Hop Nation
• Hop Citizens

Products and services

• Core Range Beers
• Limited Release Beers
• Alcohol-Free Beer Range
• Dog Nation
• Site Wine
• Dart Distilling Gins (Table Gin & Boat Gin)
• Site Fermentation Project
• Fancy Hank's Sauces
• Hop Citizens Beer Club Membership
• Footscray Taproom
• Sobremesa x Hop Nation Collaboration

Quantifiable outcome

• Back-to-Back Australia's #1 Pilsner GABS Hottest 100 2022, 2023, 2024
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Western BulldogscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Hop Nation is the Official Beer Partner of the Western Bulldogs AFL team for 2026. Collaboration includes limited edition Footscray Lager celebrating Melbourne's West. Both organizations are born and raised in the West, representing the proud Western Bulldogs community.
• Bakery Hill DistillerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20267th annual collaboration on The Kalash Imperial Stout Whisky Edition. Aged in Bakery Hill Whisky barrels that have matured Single Malt for over a decade, creating unique characteristics blending stout and whisky flavors.
• Site Fermentation Project (Sobremesa)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Casse-Croûte is a biere de coupage collaboration: 60% mature saison fermented in puncheon, 40% CHOP IPA. Production took 20 months with fermentation, aging, blending and bottling in Footscray.
• Fancy Hank'sminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Peach Lager, inspired by Fancy Hank's Jalapeño & Peach Sauce. The partnership celebrates the Aussie BBQ tradition pairing cold beer with great food. Purchase of Peach Lager case includes free FH Jalapeno & Peach Sauce while stock lasts.
• BrewDog PentridgeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration brewing Thiol Hazy IPA with BrewDog Pentridge. This bold IPA features thiol additions for elevated hop character with a silky body and fruit-forward sweetness.
• ZeverocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability partner providing online auditing platform to measure emissions monthly. Data-driven approach to track and reduce carbon footprint with real-time insights into environmental hotspots across brewing operations.
• Sunshine Reserve CommitteeminorOthersTree planting partnership in Mount Martha as part of Project Green Hop sustainability initiative.
• Maribyrnong City CouncilminorOthersTree planting partnership with local council as part of Project Green Hop sustainability initiative.
• Good PizzacoreOthersResident kitchen at Footscray Taproom. Chef Alex Addams Williams heads Good Pizza with focus on long ferment dough in thin 13-inch rounds and thick crispy pan varieties. No toppings off-limits. Special menu available for children.
• Question One AustraliaminorOthersTrivia Night host for Hop Nation taproom events. Trivia held 1st Thursday of every month, 7-9pm.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Young Henrys: Independent Sydney-based craft brewery producing core range beers and natural wines, with a Newtown taproom. Comparable to Hop Nation as an independent multi-category craft producer (beer + wine) with taproom culture, sustainability focus, and national distribution ambitions.
• Hawkers Beer: Independent Melbourne craft brewery producing core range and limited release beers, including an alcohol-free range. Direct comparable to Hop Nation given shared Melbourne origin, craft focus, non-alcoholic category presence, and multi-award-winning approach.
• Mountain Goat Beer: Melbourne-based independent craft brewery founded in 1997, producing core and seasonal craft beers distributed nationally. Direct comparable to Hop Nation as a Melbourne craft brewery with similar GABS award presence, taproom operations, and wholesale distribution model.
• Balter Brewing Company: Australian craft brewery (Currumbin, QLD) producing award-winning IPAs and pale ales. Comparable to Hop Nation as a nationally distributed Australian craft brand competing in the same IPA/pale ale categories with similar GABS and AIBA recognition.
• Pirate Life Brewing: Australian craft brewery (Adelaide/Sydney) producing core range IPAs and pales with national distribution. Comparable to Hop Nation as a craft competitor pursuing national wholesale expansion and taproom experiences, though Pirate Life is now backed by CUB.
• Four Pillars Gin: Healesville (Victoria) craft distillery producing award-winning gins with a cellar door/tasting venue. Comparable to Hop Nation's Dart Distilling arm as a Victorian craft spirits producer applying innovative botanical approaches and competing in the premium Australian gin market.
• Deeds Brewing: Independent Glen Iris (Melbourne) craft brewery producing core range and experimental barrel-aged beers, with an on-site taproom. Comparable to Hop Nation as a Melbourne craft peer with similar product experimentation, barrel-aged offerings, and local taproom culture.
• Stone & Wood Brewing Co. Independent Australian craft brewery (Byron Bay/Melbourne) producing award-winning core range beers with national distribution. Comparable to Hop Nation as a top-tier independent Australian craft brand with similar GABS and AIBA award pedigree and wholesale-led growth model.
• Molly Rose Brewing: Independent Melbourne craft brewery producing hop-forward beers with a Collingwood taproom. Comparable to Hop Nation as a Melbourne-based independent craft brewery with award-winning reputation and similar premium pricing model.

Emerging players

• BrewDog (Pentridge): International craft brewery that opened BrewDog Pentridge in Melbourne as its Australian taproom/brewery. Comparable to Hop Nation as a craft competitor in the Melbourne market with collaboration history (Thiol Hazy IPA co-brew), tapping into similar consumer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hopnationbeer
• Facebookfacebook.com/HopNationBrewery
• Instagraminstagram.com/hopnationbeer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hop-nation-brewing-co

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hop Nation Brewing Co.