Ambitious, and rapidly growing, brewer Keystone Brewing Group, which also own Black Sheep, has bought the brands of Leeds-based craft beer specialist North Brewing Co.
Founded in 2015, North Brewing Co has become known for innovative hop-forward beers and hazy IPA’s. Its most popular brands include Atlantis Session IPA, Springwell Pils Pilsner, Transmission IPA and Piñata Tropical Pale Ale.
North also operates two taprooms in its native Leeds – one at its Springwell Brewery and a second in the city centre – as well as a North West outpost in Manchester’s Circle Square, coincidentally also home to some of the UK’s biggest tech and digital names.
North was previously bought out of administration by Kirkstall Brewery in January 2024. Kirkstall’s Steve Holt, a pioneer in the increasingly lucrative UK craft beer scene, said at the time: “Together we’ll make sure that North will continue to make some of the best beer in the country.”
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North’s brands will now join the Keystone portfolio which, as well as North Yorkshire big hitter Black Sheep, includes popular beers and ciders such as Purity, Brick, Brew by Numbers, Big Drop, Wolf Pack, Maison SASSY Cider. Most recently it acquired the the Magic Rock and Fourpure brands.
There will be no job losses at North’s Springwell brewery, which will remain under the stewardship of Kirkstall.
“We are delighted the North Brewing brand and beers will join the Keystone family,” said Mark Williams, of Keystone Brewing Group.
“It is a true icon with a compelling reputation for innovation and high-quality beers, and we see enormous potential to build on its success to date, growing it nationally while preserving its original Yorkshire identity.
“We are also delighted to announce that Steve Holt will be working with us, as a special advisor to our group in future. These are exciting times for Keystone, and we’re not finished yet.”
Holt, representing Vertical Drinks, is pleased to pass on ownership of the North brands to Keystone.
He said: “[Keystone] have the sales and marketing resources to expand distribution and accelerate the brand’s growth. I am also delighted that Springwell will continue to brew and package the North beers.”
London-based Keystone has previously stated ambitious growth plans to develop a £100m portfolio of distinctive, high-quality beverages.
