Lion Nathan in Perth deal

By DITA DE BONI

Lion Nathan has opted into the first stage of a start-up micro-brewery in Fremantle for $A4 million ($5.6 million).

It will become a 20 per cent shareholder in Little Creatures Brewing, developing a brewery and restaurant with Perth-based entrepreneurs. The group reportedly aims to have a premium beer brand by November.

It said yesterday that the unnamed product would first be launched exclusively in Western Australia.

Little Creatures will remain independent of Lion and the brand will not be distributed through its parent company's channels.

Lion re-entered non-brewing concerns in Victoria this year, spending $60 million on more than 40 hotels and nightclubs in the state.