Brewery first for Comiskey Group

Comiskey Group – which started and is based in the Moreton Bay region - has officially taken over an historic brewery.

Eumundi Brewery has been acquired from Lion and become the Comiskey Group’s first venture in the brewing industry.

The brewery - within the 113-year-old Imperial Hotel, which Comiskey bought in 2023 – is set to become a cornerstone of the group’s operations.

“I have always been a fan of the Eumundi Brewery products and brand,” Comiskey Group Director Rob Comiskey said.

“One of the main reasons we purchased The Imperial Hotel was its connection to the brewery. We saw the site as an iconic landmark for the Sunshine Coast.

“Owning the brewery as well was an obvious next step, enabling us to invest further and make it the centrepiece of the hotel.”

Eumundi Lager was first introduced in 1988 by brewing engineer and developer John Lynch, who brought investors together to start a brewery in Eumundi.

The group bought The Imperial Hotel, set-up a microbrewery and launched Eumundi Lager, but after a brief period production was outsourced to Yatala Brewery.

In 1998, Castlemaine Perkins (now Lion) bought the Eumundi beer brands from Carlton & United Breweries, only to stop in 2004.

In 2016, Lion revived Eumundi beer and production at The Imperial Hotel. By August 2017, the Eumundi Brewery reopened with new brews including a new lager and pale ale.

Mr Comiskey said: “Eumundi Brewery has a solid foundation for us to continue to grow and distribute Australia-wide. With this, the brewery will create even more local employment opportunities.”

The Comiskey Group has upgraded The Imperial Hotel’s front bar, gaming room, TAB area and band room. Work on a kids’ room, restaurant, function room and beer garden is ongoing.

Comiskey Group has built and operates venues including Eatons Hill Hotel and Sandstone Point Hotel, with Dakabin Hotel set to open soon.