71 Brewing acquires Bon Accord Soft Drinks, creating a leading Scottish Craft Beverage Group

In a landmark move for Scotland’s craft drinks sector, 71 Brewing has acquired Bon Accord Soft Drinks, combining two independent, premium brands with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and craft excellence.

The acquisition merges 71 Brewing’s expertise in craft beer with Bon Accord’s naturally sweetened, plant-based carbonated soft drinks, creating a complementary portfolio positioned to capture growth across the premium beverage market, both domestically and internationally.

Karen Knowles, Founder of Bon Accord, said: “Now is the right time for this transition. We’ve had nine successful years of growth, building a brand founded by my great-great-grandfather in 1903, which places wellbeing and better-for-you drinks at the heart of everything we do. Partnering with 71 Brewing expands our operational capacity and allows us to scale, innovate, and reach new audiences with even greater impact.”

The move aligns closely with 71 Brewing’s growth strategy, which has established it as Scotland’s fastest-growing brewery in UK grocery. The acquisition is a key step in diversifying their product range, strengthening their premium portfolio, and expanding market share across retail, hospitality, and export markets.

Duncan Alexander, Managing Director of 71 Brewing, said: “The merger presents a unique opportunity to work with an established, opportunity-rich brand that shares our values. Bon Accord’s ethos of craft and quality mirrors our own, and their premium soft drinks are a perfect complement to our beer portfolio. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more versatile drinks company that reflects Scotland’s creativity and ambition.” 

The merger brings both capital investment and strategic collaboration, allowing the combined business to drive revenue growth across multiple channels, expand distribution in retail, hospitality, and export markets, accelerate new product development and packaging formats, and strengthen their market position.

This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Scotland’s craft beverage sector, positioning the combined business as a leading, versatile force in the evolving drinks market.

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Notes to editors 

About Bon Accord Soft Drinks 

Established in 1903 by the Robb family in Arbroath, Bon Accord grew into a beloved Scottish soft drinks brand well-known nationwide.

Production ceased around 2000, but in 2016, the brand was revived by Karen Knowles (great-great-granddaughter of the founder), who reimagined Bon Accord with a modern, health-conscious twist.

Today, Bon Accord offers premium, small-batch, 100% naturally sweetened soft drinks and mixers that are plant-based, vegan-friendly, caffeine-free, and free from artificial sugars or sweeteners.

The brand blends tradition with innovation using ingredients like real fruit juice to deliver a ‘joyfully juicy’ experience rooted in heritage yet built for modern tastes.

Bon Accord is available in selected Morrisons and Sainsbury’s stores across Scotland, independent retailers, and via their direct-to-consumer online store.

Find more information here. 

About 71 Brewing 

Founded in 2016, 71 Brewing is Dundee’s first brewery in over 50 years, located at 36-40 Bellfield Street, DD1 5HZ. It offers a diverse portfolio of modern craft beers, including lagers, IPAs, stouts, and seasonal specials. Known for its creative approach, 71 Brewing regularly releases limited-edition brews and collaborates with local artists and organisations. The brewery features a public taproom and event space, CANVAS, which hosts exhibitions, live events, and private hires.

Find more information here.

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