Cricket legend Brett Lee’s Sydney Beer Co goes bust with administrators appointed

Administrators of former Australian cricketer Brett Lee’s failed Sydney Beer Co say they are now in the early stages of investigating what led to the company’s demise.

Documents filed to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission showed Sydney Beer Co — co-owned by actor and writer Matt Nable — went into administration last Friday, just six months after it raised more than $6 million to fund its expansion into the US.

The company’s collapse comes amid tougher trading conditions for Australian booze producers as they grapple with higher costs and dampened consumer spending.

Sydney-based RSM Australian partners Richard Stone and Brett Lord were named as administrators.

In a brief statement to The Nightly, an RSM spokesman confirmed Mr Stone and Mr Lord’s appointment, saying an “investigation is under way albeit in the very early stages”.

According to its website, Sydney Beer Co products are sold in more than 350 venues and in retailers including Endeavour’s Dan Murphy’s and BWS, as well as independent liquor stores.

Mr Lee was one of Australia’s most successful fast bowlers, taking 310 wickets in 76 Test matches between 1999 and 2008.

Sydney Beer Co’s collapse came just weeks after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promised to put beer taxes on ice for two years from August.

The draught beer excise usually increases twice a year, with the most recent hike of just over one per cent at the start of February.

The Federal Government has also announced tax relief for distillers, brewers and wine producers, who will be able to get a refund on any excise paid — up to $400,000 — starting from July 2026.

Earlier this year, The Nightly revealed booze producers have also been hit by more than a 20 per cent price increase in glass bottles over the past two years.