Cricketer’s Arms Beer ‘The Top Order’ Poster

Cricketers Arms was created in 2005 by Paul Scott as a tribute to his father. As a boy he would watch on as his father played cricket and shared beers with the opposing team post-match. With Scott’s passion as a publican and the experience and expertise of brewer Dermot O’Donnell, a contemporary, flavoursome and quality beer was born. Cricketers Arms is an approachable brand with a strong sense of traditional values: helping mates, playing hard, losing gracefully, having a laugh and taking pride in yourself and the community. Cricketers Arms honours friendships and celebrates communities.

Cricketers Arms was acquired by Asahi Premium Beverages in 2013, Cricketers Arms has cemented a firm position as one of Australia’s most loved craft beers.

Independent Distillers Australia (IDA), a subsidiary of Japanese beverage company Asahi, purchased the Cricketers Arms, makers of Cricketers Arms Lager, in order to add a “highly creditable domestic mainstream craft beer company” to their expanding drinks portfolio.

While not a huge brand on the craft beer scene, Cricketer’s Arms was readily available across the country in venues as well as Woolworths and Coles liquor outlets, as well as a smattering of venues internationally.

“Asahi has been fantastic to the Cricketers Arms brand and myself. Their passion for making exceptional beers is second to none, review the exhaustive process they went through in the development of Asahi Super Dry,” said Scott.

“Day to day nothing much has changed apart from not having to deliver kegs thus a bit easier on my back! I still worry about all the customers having enough stock on Friday afternoon and yes I still deliver on a Saturday if they have sold out!”

Along with a total refresh of artwork and packaging for Cricketers Arms, another teammate has been added to the line-up.

“Spearhead Pale Ale is the newest ‘cricketer’ in the team. We wanted to make a New World Pale still using our signature hop Amarillo and for the tropical finish we have added the NZ hop Nelson Sauvin,” said Scott.

Originally developed in Mildura, Cricketers Arms is now brewed in Laverton, Melbourne. The Cricketers Arms’ portfolio features ‘Keeper’s’ Lager, ‘Journeyman’ Mid and ‘Captain’s’ IPA, which all won bronze medals at the 2014 CBIA Craft Beer Awards for being unique, flavoursome, crafted Australian beers.

Scott defines the brand’s essence as “honour friendships and celebrate achievements” which still rings true today.

“Cricketers Arms was inspired by watching my father and his mates play cricket and after each match, enjoying the long-standing tradition of a celebratory beer shared with teammates and opponents,” said Scott.

“Craft beer to me is defined by the ‘spirit of brewing’ – as long as your passion is to make great interesting beers it does not matter how big or small your brewery is or how many litres you sell. As we all want our customers drinking better beers all the time.”