Danish giant’s British arm sees a local craft brand as essential.
UK drinks trade paper The Morning Advertiser today carried an interview with Carlsberg UK’s CEO Julian Momen. In it, Momen announced the company’s intention to acquire a UK craft beer brand, citing the rapid growth of the craft beer sector in the UK as the impetus behind the decision. Carlsberg already has ties with a number of craft brands, mostly notably its international brewing and distribution arrangements with Brooklyn Brewery. It is also a major player in UK beer, having taken ownership of the iconic Tetley’s brand in 1998 and overseeing the closure and demolition of its Leeds brewery from 2011.
No specific details were given about the plan, other than it was expected to be formalised in late 2017 or early 2018. Understandably no mention was made of which UK breweries are being considered.