A brewery founded almost 200 years ago has been sold to a beer producer of which England Rugby World Cup hero Steve Thompson MBE is a director.
Castle Eden Brewery, based in Seaham, County Durham, will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2026 having been founded by John Nimmo, originally operating under the name J Nimmo and Sons. At one stage, the brewery had an estate of 125 pubs.
Following a couple of ownership changes, including Whitbread plc until 1998, Castle Eden’s assets were acquired by Cliff Walker and David Travers in 2014.
Now, Castle Eden, which supplies major retailers, bar groups, restaurants, and hotels with its range of beers, is joining a brewing company located at the opposite end of England, but which nevertheless has a local connection.
Andy Burdon, chief executive of acquirer Powder Monkey, founded his brewery in Gosport, Hampshire, in 2019, but is originally from Durham. He also shares a surname with Rowland Burdon, who owned the Castle Eden estate where the original brewery premises were leased to Nimmo.
A more contemporary eminent figure, namely former England hooker Thompson, is now a director and brand ambassador of Powder Monkey.
Thompson, who also played for the British and Irish Lions, represented England on 73 occasions, including the famous 2003 World Cup final in Sydney where Jonny Wilkinson’s extra-time drop goal defeated the hosts in a 20-17 victory — the only time a Northern Hemisphere team has lifted the trophy.
The deal in which Castle Eden Brewery was sold to Powder Monkey Group (PMG) — named after boys who loaded gunpowder on warships — was led by Will Griffiths, KBS Corporate transaction adviser.
Strong family links
“We are absolutely delighted to join PMG and look forward to the additional exciting opportunities for growth,” said Cliff Walker, joint managing director of Castle Eden Brewery.
Andy Burdon offered a further insight into the appeal of acquiring a brewery with a history which naturally resonated with him for personal reasons.
“We are constantly looking at great opportunities to expand the Powder Monkey portfolio, and the attraction back to my heritage in Durham, coupled with a superb facility and great operation, makes great business sense and is fantastic for me on a personal level,” he said.
“The realisation that Rowland Burdon had been such a big part in the original brewery being established, and the brand being named after his estate, rounds the story personally.
“I’m proud of my North Eastern roots and looking forward to resurrecting such a great brand with such strong links to my family name.”
KBS Corporate’s Will Griffiths offered his thanks for a successful transaction to Castle Eden’s Cliff Walker and David Travers, whom he said “were great to work with”, as well as Jai Singh, of the Alston Asquith law firm, for being “brilliant, as always”.
