Pour one out for the owners of Moon Dog. Last month the company’s new Footscray venue, Moon Dog Wild West, failed to open in time for a much-hyped media launch. And just a week ago, the front windows were graffitied with the words “Go back to Fitzroy”. (For the record, Moon Dog was founded in Abbotsford and operates another site in Preston.)

Then earlier this morning, a stolen Mazda SUV crashed through the front windows. The driver got out, stole a small western-themed neon sign and ran off. Co-owner Karl van Buuren, who’s reviewed the CCTV footage, told ABC Radio that the incident was definitely deliberate. Police are currently investigating.

“At some point early this morning, a car came along the footpath on Hopkins Street, turned in and … pushed in the windows and drove into the venue a little bit,” he said. “At the time, our cleaners were there … but they were upstairs and luckily no one was hurt.”

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Host Sammy J asked van Buuren whether the attack might be connected to the earlier graffiti, or locals who opposed the brewery opening in the first place. “Absolutely not,” van Buuren replied.

The brewery will be open from 3pm today, Moon Dog says. And the mechanical bucking bull will be charging on.

Related story: Ten Years of Moon Dog: How Three Larrikins Built One of Australia’s Most Successful Indie Breweries From Nothing