BoozeBud has been bought by fellow online alcohol retailers Hairydog Group, following the former going into voluntary administration at the start of this month. Hairydog's head of e-commerce, Ryan Agar, said in a media statement that the acquisition presents an opportunity to maximise the potential of both businesses by bringing together BoozeBud's e-commerce infrastructure with Hairydog's team.
"Through this acquisition, we're not just expanding our business footprint, we're strategically aligning the strengths of BoozeBud's advanced e-commerce capabilities with Hairydog's proven retail expertise," Ryan said in the statement.
Hairydog is an Australian-owned business that launched during the early days of the COVID pandemic as a means to offer hospitality businesses the chance to sell their stock. Today it offers same-day delivery in both Melbourne and Sydney and ships alcohol across the country.
Ryan told The Crafty Pint that while Hairydog and BoozeBud coming together boost the group's position as an online liquor retailer, each site will continue operating as distinct stores.
"The two sites will operate individually with two different ranges, but the same group ethos of better drinks, better experiences," Ryan says. "[With] Hairydog focusing on rare and hard-to-find spirits as well as premium wine. BoozeBud will continue down the same path of being the one-stop-shop for all your liquor needs."
BoozeBud launched in 2014 as BeerBud with a focus on craft beer before widening its scope to include mainstream beer, wine and spirits. In 2018, the business was bought by AB InBev, with BoozeBud's founders, Alex Gale, Andy Williamson and Mark Woollcott, buying it back in 2020 following AB InBev's decision to sell CUB to Asahi and exit the Australian beer market.
Hairydog bought Boozebud from Michael Brereton and Sean Wengel, of William Buck, who were appointed administrators of Pocko Pty (BoozeBud's company name) on May 2. In a statement, Hairydog Group said it is not liable for any debts that might be owed by Pocko and enquiries related to any previous dealing would need to be directed to the Administrators.
Will Ziebell is a history graduate who knows more about The Wire than he does about beer. He was awarded the AIBA Best Media trophy for 2018; HBO have told him to please send his fan mail elsewhere. He can be found on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.
The beer(s) or moment(s) that turned you on to good beer:
Spending time living in the UK (and backpacking across Europe) when I was 21 certainly gave me a better understanding of the beer and different styles of the world. But I'd say it was a holiday to the High Country a little while later when lunch and a tasting paddle at Bridge Road Brewers created an obsession with Australian breweries and locally made beer.
You've got three beers to turn someone else on to good beer; what are they and why?
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Boatrocker's Miss Pinky: It's a raspberry-packed Berliner Weisse that neither looks or tastes the way many people conceive of beer.
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Bad Shepherd Hazelnut Brown: A luscious mix of chocolate and hazelnut that can appeal to the sweet tooth within us all.
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Stone & Wood Pacific Ale: As the father of my oldest friend once said to me: "It's the perfect refreshing pint that smells like they've loaded it with the God's herb."
The last beer you enjoyed:
Garage Project's DFA while sitting at the bar at Miss Moses as the sounds of The Rolling Stone drifting in the background.
Three things that represent you:
- Bruce Springsteen
- Ken Burns
- The State Library of Victoria
