It has been six years since Heineken acquired a minority stake in Cape Town based Jack Black’s Brewing Company and today the founders, Ross and Meghan McCulloch announced that they have sold their remaining shares. “The long journey with Jack Black has come to an end,” said Ross in an exclusive interview. “Meg and I are moving on. She is stepping down as marketing director and I am stepping down as CEO, although I will be staying on as a consultant for the foreseeable future.”
Meghan and Ross McCulloch (Image supplied)
The McCullochs announced the news to the Jack Black team this afternoon and quietly made the move public via a personal statement from Ross on the brewery’s blog.
“All staff will be retained – there’s no change there at this point, and no retrenchments,” Ross told me. Likewise, the beers and the taproom will remain the same, with no plans to discontinue any beers or stray from the current model. “Heineken is a great partner,” said Ross. “While they do look at costs of course, they also look at other efficiencies and don’t touch the recipes or opt for cost saving when it comes to ingredients.”
While Ross remains in a consulting role, Wulrich van Wyk, head of sales excellence at Heineken, will take over leadership at the Diep River based brewery. Meghan will be stepping away, having prepped her marketing team to take over. “She’ll soon be taking on the next project,” said Ross. He wouldn’t elaborate on what that project might be, other than that it would be in South Africa and likely not within the alcohol industry.
Jack Black was founded in 2007 as a contract brand, brewing at Birkenhead Brewery, Boston Breweries and Cape Brewing Company before launching their own physical brewery in 2016. “The original plan was to have a brewpub,” said Ross. “We wanted to make good beer and a little bit of money – have a lifestyle business. There was no master plan. It was never in our minds to sell and exit the industry but as the industry has changed over the years, it feels like a natural progression.”
Ross added that the buyout was mutual. “There was no forced takeover or anything like that,” he said. “We knew it was coming for quite a while and have been prepping to make for a seamless changeover. I’m very excited for the brand.”
From my side, I’d like to wish Ross and Meghan all the best, and to send big thanks for everything they’ve done for the industry. They paved the way for many brands that came after them, they convinced the Mother City that draught beer was best and they introduced craft beer to a whole new audience. I have a lot more to say on that front, but I will save that for a separate post.
Bravo to Ross and Meg for all that they’ve done
All the best Meghan and Ross. You have created a great brand. You deserve the success.
For Dematech & BevPlus team
Mario Delicio
Well done Ross & Megan! Trailblazers,.much respect and many great memories drinking Jack Black. Got 2 on tap in our taproom.
Thank you Jack Black (Ross and Meghan) for what you have done within the craft beer industry. It’s sad to see Heineken take over, but if you have faith in it then we should all have faith too🙌🏻
Congratulations 🎊 🍻 to this successful exit 💛 from @YellowRandolf
Well played Mr & Mrs McCulloch.
Plenty memories running through my mind at the moment.
All the best, will definitely need to have a pint with you later this month.
Cheers
Chris
Been a ride! Well done to this pair. Literally got stuck in and did the heavy lifting from day 1. Hope the rewards are worth it. Congratulations
That’s great news you two.
Very proud of you- you deserve it…
Also proud to have been a small part in your process!
Long live the Skeleton Coast IPA…
All the best to Ross & Meghan.
And the Jack Black Team.
You are great people. Cheers!
Lesson: only way to make money in craft beer in SA…stay regional and relevant…or sell.
I’ll drink to that!
You will be always remembered, thanks for great opportunities for lots of families worldwide, Respect Ross & Meg