Breal Capital, the UK private-equity firm, has wrapped up its move to buy London-based Brew By Numbers out of administration.
The completion of the deal, first revealed by Just Drinks in June, was confirmed by the administrators today (24 August).
Brew By Numbers first filed a notice of intent to appoint administrators on 5 May.
The south London brewer, set up in 2011, operates from a brewery and taproom in Greenwich.
In a statement, the administrators said the acquisition had “preserved the jobs for all employees of the business”.
A spokesperson for Breal said Brew By Numbers has “a unique, well-established product range, and equally well-known brand”, adding: “They will add considerable value to the wider product offerings of Brick and Black Sheep breweries that are now a part of their brewing family.”
Breal Capital also owns London-based Brick Brewery and North Yorkshire-based Black Sheep Brewery. The investor acquired those businesses out of administration earlier this year.
Craft breweries in the UK have struggled in the last twelve months and rising energy and raw material costs, coupled with a competitive trading environment and soaring rents, have led many to close their doors.
In December, Somerset outfit The Wild Beer Co. entered administration after falling victim to trading woes at home and abroad. The brand was later revived by Kent’s Curious Brewery but the majority of the company’s staff were laid off.
Other breweries to have closed this year include Alphabet Brewing Co. and Bad Seed Brewery.
Colin Hardman, a partner at Evelyn Partners and a joint administrator of Brew By Numbers, said: “We have seen widespread pressure in the brewing industry over the past few years due in particular to the pandemic, the post-Brexit complexity of export paperwork, increased materials costs, reduced discretionary spending and changes to beer duty laws.
“This has resulted in numerous microbreweries being forced to close in recent years. We are therefore even more delighted to have rescued this pioneering and much-loved brand. We want to thank all the key stakeholders including staff, financiers and critical suppliers for helping make this happen.”
