Long-term liquor industry identity Peter Brien has retired as chairman of South Australia’s largest independent liquor retailer Sip’n Save.
He’ll be succeeded by Tony Hurley from the Arkaba Hotel.
The owner of the Alberton Hotel, Brien is also handing over management of the pub to his son Matthew.
Sip’n Save chairman since 1996, Peter also served as a Sip’n Save board and committee member when the company was owned by the Australian Hotels Association (SA).
He later led the evolution of the independent liquor retailer into a joint commercial venture with the Liquor Marketing Group (LMG).
“Peter is to be congratulated for his outstanding service and is credited as the driving force behind Sip’n Save becoming a nationally recognised brand, ” Sip’n Save General Manager Mike Shelley said.
Brien is happy to hand over the reins to the next generation.
“I had an enormous sense of pride promoting the brand’s influence as South Australia’s largest independent liquor retailer at both a local and national level,” he said.
“It’s time for me to step down and watch the next generation of hoteliers and liquor store leaders drive this industry further forward.”
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Brien took over the license of the Alberton Hotel in 1987 and became a Port Adelaide family institution along with his late wife Kay, son Matthew and daughter Rebecca.
Matthew Brien has followed in his father’s footsteps, being elected to take the seat for Port Adelaide on the AHA state council – with Peter Brien stepping down after 29 years in the role.
“Now that I am retired, I’ll have more time to watch my grandchildren grow up, play a round of golf, and keep an eye on the pub,” Brien said.
