Harrogate-based Rooster’s Brewery has acquired Daleside Brewery Ltd.
A press release announcing the news today said Rooster’s had raised a substantial amount of new capital from a private investor to “facilitate the acquisition and to enable future growth”.
It said Daleside will continue to operate as a separate company with its existing staff and brew beers, such as Monkey Wrench, Morocco Ale and Daleside Blonde. The release added:
“The operation of the Daleside business will, in due course, transfer and fill spare capacity at Rooster’s brewery in Hornbeam Park.
“However, the two businesses will continue to trade separately within their respective markets with the Daleside portfolio of beers brewed by their existing team, using their own dedicated strain of yeast to maintain the unique flavour of their beers.”
Daleside, which is based on Camwal Road in Starbeck, was founded in 1991 by Bill Witty, who died in 2007.
Current managing director Eric Lucas, who joined the brewery in 1993, will step down and retirement. The other shareholders are also leaving the business.
Mr Lucas said:
“I’m delighted that the long-term future of Daleside Brewery, its team and its brands have been secured and will remain in Harrogate with the highly respected and acclaimed Rooster’s Brewery.
“Being with Daleside has been an astonishing and enjoyable journey. On behalf of myself and my fellow owners, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and has been part of this great Daleside experience.”
Ian Fozard, Rooster’s chairman, said:
“We are delighted to enable the Daleside business to continue beyond Eric’s retirement. We know the business and the team well and, with only a few miles between us, have helped each other countless times out over the years.
“In addition, my son Oliver, Rooster’s head brewer, did his apprenticeship and cut his teeth in the world of brewing at Daleside in the early 2000s, while I was also a good friend of the Daleside founder, Bill Witty.”
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