SYDNEY: UK-headquartered Powder Monkey Group has acquired the brands of Wayward Brewing Company and Akasha Brewing Company, two of Sydney’s leading independent breweries, in a move that signals a major expansion into Australia’s craft beer market.
The deal adds $AUD5.5 million to Powder Monkey’s group turnover and strengthens the collective’s footprint alongside existing holdings including Southern Highlands Brewing Co., Willie the Boatman and Powder Monkey Australia. The acquisition marks a significant step in the group’s global strategy to unite independent breweries under a consolidated craft brewing and hospitality platform.
“This was about extending the international ‘buy and build’ value strategy, as well as creating a sizeable central brewing engine in Australia,” said Ben Twomey, Powder Monkey Group’s Australia-based director. “High asset utilisation is a key measure, supported by the multiple brand wholesale businesses.”
The expanded team will now operate across four prominent Sydney venues: Akasha’s Five Dock Brewery, the Akasha Barrel Room in Leichhardt, Willie the Boatman’s location in St Peters, and a new Powder Monkey facility scheduled to launch in Camden.
Dave Padden, founder of Akasha Brewing Company, will be appointed general manager of Powder Monkey Australia, overseeing operations and integrating talent across the acquired entities.
“Akasha and Wayward are two of the most respected names in independent Australian brewing, and I am excited about the experience Dave brings to the group,” said Andy Burdon, CEO of Powder Monkey Group. “This acquisition brings strength, scale, and storytelling power to our portfolio—and positions us to lead in craft beer across global markets.”
Founded in 2021 in Gosport, UK, Powder Monkey Group has rapidly expanded across the UK and Australia, operating breweries and venues under brands such as Goddards Brewery, Castle Eden Brewery, Empress Ale, and Andover Taphouse. In 2025, the group listed on the JP Jenkins secondary market and continues to seek targeted acquisitions across Europe and Southeast Asia.
Wayward and Akasha—both helmed by longtime collaborators and industry pioneers Pete Philip and Dave Padden—have been fixtures in the Australian craft beer scene. Wayward is known for its bold category innovations including sparkling hop waters, hard seltzers, and “better-for-you” brews, while Akasha is respected for its precision-crafted beers like Hopsmith IPA and Freshwater Pale Ale.
“This is about more than joining forces—it’s about doing more of what we love, better,” said Philip. “Powder Monkey brings the backing and structure to take that spirit global.”