Melbourne-based independent brewery, Stomping Ground Brewing Co., has completed a $1.5 million crowd-sourced funding campaign through OnMarket, supported by more than 640 investors. The company is preparing to scale up, as it celebrates a decade of beer.
Founded in 2016 by Steve Jeffares, Guy Greenstone, and Justin Joiner, Stomping Ground started out as a neighbourhood brewery, and has since deeply embedded itself within Melbourne’s culture.
The company prides itself on supporting the arts, theatre, sport, comedy and music – most recently announcing the launch of a new beer alongside its freshly-minted partnership with the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, which is celebrating 40 years in 2026.
Stomping Ground has sold over 10 million litres of beer across its three venues – in Collingwood, Moorabbin, and Melbourne Airport – and a distribution network of 368 tap and 3275 pack distribution points throughout Victoria's venues and retailers. Last year the company also received the Champion Victorian Brewery trophy at the Melbourne Royal Australian International Beer Awards.
Now, Stomping Ground is ready to scale, stating it wants to add two new venues, invest in sales and marketing, and strengthen its foothold in the Victorian market. The company told Food & Drink Business that each new beer hall will have some onsite brewing, enabling the company to create unique tap beers for that venue.
“In addition to the two new beer halls, there will be investment made in expanding our presence in retail outlets and pubs,” said a spokesperson from the company.
“Our current combination of our own capacity and combined with some outsourced production means we don't require any of the funds raised to be spent on additional production capacity.”
