Walkers Special Pale Ale, launched last year

The beer brand recently reprised in honour of 19th century brewer, Walkers Brewing Co, has been placed on the market.

Founded in Bathurst in 1895, Walkers Brewing Co was at one stage the dominant brewer in central western New South Wales, before it eventually ceased operations in the 1920s.

The brand was resurrected last year by entrepreneur Toney Fitzgerald and master brewer Neal Cameron, who created a Special Pale Ale inspired by one of Walkers’ original recipes.

However, Fitzgerald this week revealed his own declining health had forced him to sell the brand, despite the initial promise it has shown since the relaunch.

Beer buff taps into the history of early brewing in country New South Wales from ABC Open Central West NSW on Vimeo.

“I am very disappointed that I could not have scaled this start-up to be the way I wanted it to be,” he told Brews News.

Toney Fitzgerald

“Since 2009 when I conceived the idea, cancer has stopped me in my tracks four times and slowed me down since then, so I think it’s time to make a pivot and sell the interest to someone else that can take the brand to the market in a big way.

“I have got it to market and got some good initial traction so far… We have had great success in the Central West and it’s been adopted very well,” Fitzgerald said.

He is seeking expressions of interest in the sale of Walkers’ intellectual property, licences and associated assets.

Interested parties can contact Toney Fitzgerald on fitzy@d2.net.au or 0438 450 643.