Powder Monkey Group, the independent craft brewing and hospitality collective with operations across the UK and Australia, has officially acquired the brands of Sydney’s Wayward Brewing Company and Akasha Brewing Company.

The move is described as a major step in Powder Monkey’s global expansion strategy and further consolidates its operations alongside Southern Highlands Brewing Co. and Willie the Boatman and the Powder Monkey brand in Australia and Asia.

This acquisition brings together five award-winning breweries, uniting operational scale, local authenticity, brand strength, and innovative brewing under a single, independent global platform.

It adds an additional $AUD5.5m revenue to the Group turnover and provides the capacity and capability for a series of significant new ventures.

Powder Monkey Group’s Australian based director Ben Twomey said: “This was about extending the international ‘buy and build’ value strategy as well as creating a sizeable central brewing engine in Australia. High asset utilisation is a key measure which is supported by the multiple brand wholesale businesses”

Dave Padden will be appointed General Manager Powder Monkey Australia, overseeing a team of combined talent from the previous independent entities.

“Akasha and Wayward are two of the most respected names in independent Australian brewing, and I am excited about the experience Dave Padden provides to the Group,” said Andy Burdon, Group CEO.

“This acquisition brings strength, scale, and storytelling power to our portfolio—and positions us to lead in craft beer not just in Australia and the UK, but across global markets.”