Australian-headquartered food and beverage company Lion has acquired 100% of UK craft brewer Magic Rock Brewing Company.
The acquisition fuels a “shared promise to keep making great beer, on a bigger scale”, according to Magic Rock’s co-founder and managing director Richard Burhouse, who will remain in the business.
Lion has a growing portfolio in the UK, acquiring London craft brewery Fourpure in 2018.
Lion was an early shareholder of Australian craft beer brand Little Creatures, and the company also created Furphy, James Squire’s and Kosciuszko.
Magic Rock is a Yorkshire craft brewer based in Huddersfield. It employs 45 people locally with plans to build the team further in line with continued expansion.
It is already exported to more than 25 countries worldwide and over time it sees opportunities to further grow this footprint with the support of Lion.
Lion global markets managing director, Matt Tapper, said: “Magic Rock has been one the pioneers in the UK craft beer scene and has built a loyal following due to its relentless pursuit of authenticity and quality. We’re excited to have the opportunity to help Richard and the team build on their success. Lion has a long and proud history in craft beer in Australia and New Zealand and we see some great opportunities to help put Magic Rock in the hands of more beer lovers.”
Magic Rock co-founder and managing director, Richard Burhouse, said: “With the support of our community, in eight years Magic Rock has become one of the UK’s leading craft brewers, distributing across the UK, as well as internationally. The best way for us to build on this legacy over the long term is to introduce Magic Rock beers to a much wider audience. We’re excited to be joining one of the world’s best brewing experts under the shared promise to keep making great beer, on a bigger scale, through their knowledge, expertise and investment.”
