[1][2][3] The Castlemaine Brewery Company (Melbourne) was floated on 1 March 1885 as a public company to acquire the interests of Fitzgerald and Perrins in the Melbourne brewery and associated hotels.
[12][13][14] By 1899, the company was facing "unsatisfactory" trading conditions, noting the impact of "severe competition" on profits, despite increased sales.
[15] The company formed a cartel, the Society of Melbourne Brewers, with seven other breweries in 1903, in an attempt to end "ruinous competition".
CUB immediately proposed to centralise brewing at three premises and to close the remaining three, including the Castlemaine brewery.
[17][18] The brewery buildings and site were sold off and used for other commercial purposes.