C&C Group has acquired the Innis & Gunn beer brand and its global intellectual property from the administrators of Innis & Gunn, strengthening the drinks company’s premium beer portfolio.
The acquisition, valued at £4.5 million (€5.2 million), was funded from C&C’s existing facilities. The group has had a long-standing relationship with the Scottish craft brewer, having been both a minority shareholder and brewing partner for several years.
C&C said the deal presents an attractive opportunity to broaden its branded offering with a well-established premium beer brand. The company already brews much of Innis & Gunn’s product and believes the transition will be straightforward.
The brand will be integrated into C&C’s existing operational, commercial and supply chain infrastructure, which the company expects will allow for a rapid transition with minimal disruption. The group intends to develop the brand using its established production capabilities, routes to market and wider infrastructure.
By leveraging its current brewing capacity, marketing network and sales platform, C&C said it expects to unlock additional value from the brand without significant additional capital investment or overheads.
Chief executive Roger White said the acquisition offered a strong strategic fit.
“We have worked with Innis & Gunn for many years, and whilst it’s under difficult circumstances, we are delighted to bring the brand fully into our portfolio,” he said.
White described the deal as a “compelling and highly synergistic opportunity” that will allow the group to maintain supply to customers and consumers while preserving a well-known craft beer brand.
C&C expects the acquisition to make a small positive contribution to financial performance in FY27.
