After 14 fruitful, award-winning years, Glen Iris taproom and brewery Deeds will be wound down this week. Sibling business Future Proof Distilling, which operates from the same building, is also shuttering.

Independent breweries around Australia are struggling. In the past 12 months at least a dozen have entered voluntary administration, including Big Shed in Adelaide, Ballistic in Brisbane, Black Hops on the Gold Coast, Hawkers and Dainton in Melbourne and Akasha and Wayward in Sydney – all popular, respected operators. Deeds also joined this pack two months ago, but yesterday failed to emerge intact, unlike some of its peers. The business is currently listed for sale via Deloitte and may yet be saved by a new owner.

“Over the last 12 years, we’ve poured our hearts into every brew, every interaction, and every moment shared with you. Since going into voluntary administration eight weeks ago, we have been searching for a buyer or investor, hoping to keep the spirit of Deeds Brewing alive, but unfortunately, this hasn’t come to fruition,” the company wrote on Instagram.

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An upside? The company’s folding has been relatively slow and controlled. Wholesale customers will continue to receive beer until stocks are depleted. Likewise, retail orders already placed online will be fulfilled for shipping or local pick-up. The remaining stock online and at the taproom will be discounted by 30 per cent “in the coming days”.

Founders Patrick Alé and Dave Milstein have been brewing together since 2012, initially under the name Quiet Deeds, using the equipment at other breweries. The duo quickly gained a following with beers including Juice Train, a hazy/New England-style IPA. Fruited sours and barrel-aged ales came later, along with a production brewery in Glen Iris and numerous awards at national and international beer shows.

A taproom opened at the same site in mid-2021, vaulting to the top of the local scene with 28 taps, a noticeably swish fit-out and an ambitious menu featuring beer-glazed steak, malted cheesecake and focaccia with malt butter.
The taproom is now closed to sit-in customers but open for takeaway beer.

deedsbrewing.com.au/