Charles Wells and Damm have signed an extension to the contract which sees the Bedford brewer retain sales and distribution rights for Estrella Damm for a further five years.
The partnership was formed in 2009 and involves Charles Wells handling all marketing and sales responsibility for Estrella Damm in the UK on an exclusive basis.
Justin Phillimore, chief executive of Charles Wells, said “Estrella Damm is a wonderful premium Mediterranean lager rooted in its Barcelona heritage and its light, pilsner style is proving irresistible to a growing consumer base. It drives good cash margin for upmarket outlets and, as the fastest growing premium world lager in the UK, offers compelling profit potential for retailers.
Guillem Castellà Gutzeit, Damm export director added “Although Estrella Damm is the biggest selling beer in Barcelona and one of Spain’s leading lagers it wasn’t well known in the UK when Charles Wells originally started importing the beer in 2009. It’s now showing exceptional growth, with sales rising 69% in the on trade* and 58% in the off-trade** and is fast becoming a must stock premium world lager. We look forward to continued growth in partnership with Charles Wells and it’s satisfying to know that so many people in this country are now sharing just a little of our wonderful Mediterranean lifestyle through Estrella Damm.
Charles Wells and Damm have strong corporate similarities with the two family breweries being established in 1876. As both companies mark their 140th anniversaries in 2016, it seems fitting that a combined total of 280 years brewing heritage is still devoted to the continued growth of Estrella Damm in the UK.
