Lion has announced a new partnership with the Imperial Hotel and a return of the much missed local beer brand, Eumundi – which will once again be brewed on site at its spiritual home, the Imperial Hotel in the heart of Eumundi.

In making the announcement, Lion Brewmaster Chuck Hahn said the partnership would revive a much loved local craft beer for Queensland.

Brewmaster Chuck Hahn and Imperial Hotel Manager Brendan Fenlon

“We’re excited to be partnering the Imperial Hotel and building a new brewery that will rekindle Eumundi in the place where the beer was first crafted in 1988. We’re planning to have the brewery up and running in the New Year to offer a great range of flavoursome craft beers to locals and visitors to the area.”

The Imperial Hotel has undergone extensive renovations over the past two years, culminating in December 2015 with the opening of a beer garden that has already been recognised as one of the best on the Sunshine Coast.

Michael Arnett, joint owner of the Imperial Hotel, said that the growing popularity of craft beers combined with the refurbishment of the Imperial Hotel made this the perfect time to bring back a local favourite.

“As local residents it has been such a rewarding experience to bring the Imperial Hotel back to life and ensure it remains an integral part of the Eumundi community.

Fenlon and Hahn with a bottle of the old Eumundi Lager

Mr Arnett added “It’s exciting to be able to build on this even further by partnering with Lion to bring back a truly local beer in Eumundi and we’re really looking forward to sharing an authentic brewing experience with our visitors in the future.”

Imperial Hotel general manager, Brendan Fenlon, echoed Michael’s enthusiasm for the new project.

“My staff and I cannot wait to be offering Eumundi on tap, and we’re genuinely thrilled to be part of the next chapter for the iconic Imperial Hotel.”

Eumundi will be sold on tap at the Imperial Hotel, with broader distribution to be considered in the future.