Alcoholic beverages, especially craft beer
Established in 2015 to focus on growing a portfolio of craft beer in new markets outside Australia, NZ and Japan. They also operate a wine business in USA. Acquired USA's fourth largest craft beer brewery, New Belgium Brewing in 2019, and a second US craft brewery, Bell's Brewery, in 2021. Sold its UK operations in 2022.
Company Ownership
Lion Little World Beverages
AUS
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
owns 100% of Lion Little World Beverages
JPN
Food, beverage, alcohol and pharmaceuticals manufacturer
Kirin's main businesses include alcohol, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals and food. Japan's largest brewer. Kirin bought Australian dairy & juice company National Foods in 2007, and Dairy Farmers in late 2008, and the 54% of Lion Nathan (Australia's #2 brewer) it didn't already own in 2009. While Kirin is an independent company, it is part of Japan's largest "keiretsu", Mitsubishi Group.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Aug 2025)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Lion Little World Beverages
No assessment data currently available for Lion Little World Beverages.
Kirin Holdings Company Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
CDP Climate Change score of A
In 2024, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change score of A.
Source: CDP
(2024)
CDP Water Security score of A
In 2024, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to manage and govern freshwater resources. Responding companies are scored on six key metrics: transparency; governance & strategy; measuring & monitoring; risk assessment; targets & goals; and value chain engagement. This company received a CDP Water Security score of A.
Source: CDP
(2024)
Palm oil rating - WAZA
The PalmOil Scan app, produced by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), rates companies on their commitment to sourcing sustainable palm oil. Companies are scored on their use of certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), commitment to sourcing CSPO, on-the-ground conservation action, and membership to the RSPO. Companies can earn a rating of Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor or No Commitment. This company is rated "Good" (retrieved 4 Feb 2025).
Source: WAZA
(2025)
10/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 10/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
32.1% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #61/816, with a total score of 32.1/100.
57/100 in TIME rankings
World's Most Sustainable Companies of 2025 by TIME and Statista recognises the Top 500 most sustainable companies in the world. From a selection of 5,000 of the world's largest companies, non-sustainable businesses were excluded, and the remaining companies were rated on Commitment & Ratings, Reporting & Transparency, and Environmental & Social Stewardship. This company received a total score of 57/100, ranking 490th overall.
Source: TIME
(2025)
Animal Testing
This company appears on PETA's list of food and beverage companies that tests on animals, signifying that: it has not signed PETA's Statement of Assurance document; has definitively conducted, funded, commissioned, or allowed animal testing that is not explicitly required by law or by written requirements by government agencies; and has not adequately resolved this issue in private discussions with PETA.
Source: PETA
(2024)
34.4/100 for water stewardship
The Ceres Valuing Water Finance Initiative Benchmark 2023 evaluates the water stewardship efforts of 72 companies from four water-intensive industries: food, beverage, apparel, and high-tech. Companies were assessed on a 0-100 point basis across six categories of water management: water quantity, water quality, ecosystem protection, access to water and sanitation, board oversight, and public policy engagement. This company was rated " Starting the Journey" with a score of 34.4/100.
Source: Ceres
(2023)
Previous involvement with Burma
From Dec 2018 to Feb 2021 Kirin appeared on Burma Campaign UK's 'Dirty List' of companies assisting the Burmese military to continue to commit human rights violations and environmental destruction. In Burma Kirin was in a joint venture, Myanmar Breweries, with the Union of Myanmar Economic Holdings, which is controlled by and for the benefit of the military. This subsidiary has also donated money to the Burmese military. Kirin announced they would end their relationship with the Myanmar military after it staged a coup in Feb 2021.
Source: Burma Campaign UK
(2021)
Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty; commit to 100% renewable power.
Source: We Mean Business
(2021)
FSC certification
This company holds Forest Stewardship Council Chain of Custody Certification, and sells products certified as FSC Mix and FSC Recycled.
Source: FSC
(2025)
IARD member
This company is a member of the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to reducing harmful drinking and promoting understanding of responsible drinking. IARD is affiliated with the United Nations.
Source: IARD
(2021)
UN Global Compact participant
The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.
Source: UN Global Compact
(2020)
CSV claims
This company has Creating Shared Value claims on its website
Source: company website
(2025)
22.7% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 22.7%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Alcohol - direct involvement
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website
(2025)
20% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 20 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
Genetic Engineering & Animal Rights
USA biotech company Hematech Inc. genetically modify cattle for human antibody production. Hematech was previously a subsidiary of Kirin's pharmaceutical division (Kyowa Hakko Kirin Co) until Dec 2012 when it was acquired by Sanford Health and rebranded Sanford Applied Biosciences, LLC.
Source: company website
(2012)
35% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #38/350, with a total score of 35/100.
Medium ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 22.3, placing it in the "medium risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
Company Details
Type:
Wholly-owned subsidiary
Founded:
2015
Subsidiaries:
New Belgium Brewing Co.
Craft beer brewery
This company was 100% employee owned until 2019 when it was bought by Kirin-owned Lion Little World Beverages. USA's fourth largest craft brewery. In 2021 Lion bought a second US craft brewery, Bell's Brewery in Michigan, and merged it with New Belgium.