Former rugby internationals among investors in Changing Times Brewery
Former rugby internationals, Rob Kearney, Dave Kearney, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip are among the investors behind the new Changing Times Brewery. The investment comes through their involvement in Grand Slam Bars, the hospitality group run by their co-investor, Noel Anderson, which includes Dublin pubs The Bridge 1859, The Blackrock, McSorleys and Lemon & Duke.
Those four pubs are also amongst the founding venues backing the Glasnevin based brewery which was launched last month. As well as the rugby stars, the other investors in the brewery are the publican families behind some of Dublin’s best known pubs, publican Benny McCabe, brewer Shane Long and drinks’ industry entrepreneur and founder of Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, Patrick J Rigney, who recently joined as Chair.
The brewery has already attracted strong public interest in its initial products – Daydreamer Lager and After Hours Pale Ale, with additional products expected in 2025. Initially these products are only available in the 15 Dublin based founding pubs, which include the four Grand Slam Bars venues as well as Arthur Maynes Donnybrook, The Bank Bar & Restaurant on College Green, The Bankers, Darkey Kelly’s, Devitts, Doheny & Nesbitts, The Ferryman, The Long Hall, The Palace, Sheehans on Chatham Street and The Swan.
Speaking about their involvement in the brewery, Rob Kearney said, “We’re delighted to be involved in Changing Times Brewery. Everyone knows we have developed a strong interest in the hospitality sector through Grand Slam Bars and this is a natural next step for us. We’ve also been lucky enough to try to the new beers and I have to say I can see Daydreamer Lager becoming a regular choice when I’m out socialising.”
Dave Kearney added, “We both really like the lager, while Noel Anderson is a big fan of the pale ale. It’s great to be involved in this exciting venture. When we were in the midst of our rugby careers I don’t think either of us would have ever imagined we’d be investors in a brewery! Being involved in Changing Times just makes sense given the team that is involved in this venture and we’re looking forward to seeing how it grows from here,” he said.
It was recently confirmed that Grand Slam Bars secured post-tax profits of €592,369. This was despite the Dublin riots, which the group say “wiped off two weeks of trade”. In total revenues increased by 23 percent from €7.64m to €9.39m in the 12 months to the end of February.
These results were tied to three of the venues, The Bridge 1859, Lemon & Duke and The Blackrock. Ranelagh based pub McSorleys was only purchased by the group in July for a sum of €5.5m.
Profits at The Bridge 1859 in Ballsbridge amounted to a post-tax figure of €178,208. Lemon & Duke generated a €213,348 post-tax profit and The Blackrock €200,813.
