Black Storm Brewery buys gluten-free microbrewer
The brewery, which has been trading for less than a year, has bought Autumn Brewing Co in order to continue its strategic plans for continued growth and expansion across the UK.
The terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but the deal will see Autumn Brewing Co become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Tyne & Wear-based brewery.
Speaking about the purchase, founder and director Paul Hughes said: “Peter and the team at Autumn have shown what is possible in gluten-free brewing, creating amazing beers using alternative grains to barley, like millet and quinoa. We look forward to continuing this development with them.”
Opportunities to develop
Hughes continued: “Acquiring Autumn Brewing Co forms part of our wider purpose. We intend to deliver our strategic aims across a number of brands and activity.
"As well as brewing our own beers and spirits, we want to champion and support other craft producers, creating a network that strengthens both the individual businesses and the UK brewing and distilling industries.”
Autumn Brewing Co director Peter Briggs said: “The transfer of ownership provides a number of benefits for Autumn Brewing Co and its award-winning Alt Brew brand of naturally gluten-free beers.
“There are great opportunities to develop the brands for the long term, continue to increase awareness of the availability and variety of gluten-free beer in our target markets as well as reaching a wider beer-drinking audience."
Diversification of product offer
Briggs continued: “Working with Black Storm, we aim to broaden the appeal of our Alt Brew range of beers and for the beers to be known for being great beer and not just gluten-free beer. This is the start of a bright new future for customers, suppliers and the business as a whole”.
The purchase is part of Black Storm’s aim for diversification, giving the company a gluten-free option as part of its real ale offer to customers. In line with this, the company has recently launched its first craft spirit, Bottled Storm Gin, and have plans to create further products in this market.
The brewery also runs Storm Cellar, its bottle shop and tasting rooms in its hometown, and recently launched Beer Box in Newcastle shipping container social hub Stack.
