Keystone Brewing Group has announced a £2 million investment into the business, to support the next phase of its growth — following a period of rapid expansion. This has seen iconic brands, including Hofmeister, North, Fourpure and Magic Rock, added to its portfolio.
The group — which also includes Black Sheep Brewery, Purity Brewing Co, Brick Brewing Co, and Brew by Numbers, as well as distribution partnerships with brands such as Big Drop, Wolfpack, and Maison Sassy — is forecasting a doubling of its revenue in the next 12 months.
The latest investment, funded by BREAL Group shareholders, will allow Keystone to support this growth and meet increasing demand for its products in export, and both on-and off-trade channels, and facilitate a larger capacity, along with production of broader, more diverse stock across its portfolio.
Planned infrastructure upgrades include:
- A 30,000 hectolitre increase in annual fermentation capacity at Black Sheep Brewery
- A 6,000 hectolitre increase in annual fermentation capacity at Purity Brewing Co
- A high-volume canning facility, boosting output from 2,500 to 14,000 cans per hour, at Black Sheep Brewery
- A pasteurisation facility at Black Sheep Brewery
- New delivery vehicles to strengthen national distribution capabilities
- Two new storage facilities at the Fearby Road packaging facility, in Masham, to increase both ambient and chilled storage capacity.
“This investment marks a further major milestone for Keystone as we continue to scale,” said chief executive Steve Cox. “With new breweries and brands joining the group and demand rising, it gives us the agility and infrastructure to expand capacity while staying true to the quality and character of each of the brands. We’re well-equipped to grow in a way that’s both ambitious and sustainable.”
Mark Williams, partner and shareholder at BREAL Group, added: “This amplifies the confidence that we have in Keystone Brewing Group, and indeed this sector for the long term.
“It is tough out there at the minute, but we continue to believe that there is a real appetite for premium, value-for-money beers and ciders. Not only is Keystone on track to reach its revenue target of £100m by 2028, but it remains steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional quality, variety, and innovation to consumers, both in the UK and worldwide, while embracing new possibilities.”
“Watch out for some more of those possibilities in the coming months.”
