Kiwi craft beer brewer Epic Brewing Company has gone into liquidation.

Waterstone Insolvency were appointed liquidators by Epic’s shareholders on Tuesday.

Waterstone Insolvency director Adam Botterill told the Herald they were looking for buyers for the brewer.

“We are running the business as a going concern at the moment. We’re still trading. We’ve engaged staff on a short-term basis to keep the business running so we can run a sale process,” he said.

 “We think there is a lot of value in the company in terms of the brand. It’s a really well-known beer brand sold in supermarkets and [has] quite a lot of distribution. It’s got a big market presence.”

The sale process had opened today, Botterill said.

He didn’t place a value on the business.

“We’re essentially going to be opening it for offers,” Botterill said.

 “There is stock there. We think there’s better value as a package with the brand as well as the stock and the taproom. It has a hospitality venue that showcases its products and beers.”

If no suitable offers are received, they would look at a close down of the business and selling individual components, he said.

“Obviously we’re open to offers for individual parts for it, so if someone wants to buy the brand but not the stock, or vice versa.”

Epic Brewing founder Luke Nicholas. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Botterill said to keep trading they had kept the staff on.

“We offered all staff contracts under the liquidation so we can run this process,” he said

“Staff that have been employed by us will get paid by us within the liquidation.”

Epic has 15 employees, according to its website.

The Herald has contacted Epic founder and director Luke Nicholas for comment.

Epic’s Taproom is located in Onehunga, Auckland, and is open Thursday to Sunday.

As well as beer, the taproom also sells pizza, calzone and other bar food.

The first liquidator’s report is due out on August 1.