Kmflett's Blog

Black Sheep Brewery owner files for Administration again

Keystone Drinks the private equity group that owns Black Sheep brewing in Masham has filed for administration for a second time. The move means liquidation is avoided and brewing should be continuing.

Black Sheep was founded in 1992 as a break away from Theakstons but in the 2020s ran into difficulties and was bought by Breal now Keystone.

Keystone have acquired a number of brewing brands including Magic Rock, Fourpure, Brick and Brew By Numbers and also two breweries North and Purity that are believed to be still brewing at their existing sites.

While commentary will no doubt focus on business rates, costs of employment and costs of living the issues with Keystone go much deeper. The brewing brands it has acquired while having a strong following when they were based in local communities-for example Magic Rock in Huddersfield and Brick and Brew By Numbers in South London, as brands brewed in Masham they have little real meaning.

Perhaps most significant is that Hofmeister which had a distribution deal with Keystone have pulled out and gone to Kingfisher Drinks (Heineken). They clearly have a business focused view on how matters are likely to play out.

In the meantime hopefully at least jobs can be protected as well as the core beers Black Sheep, North and Purity.