Market-leading alcohol-free brewer, Big Drop, has entered into a licence agreement with In Good Company, the owner of Fourpure Brewing and Magic Rock Brewing.
The move is part of Big Drop’s plans to significantly scale its business and facilitate global growth ambitions by fully integrating with brewing partners in three of its key markets: the United Kingdom, USA and Australia. With a successful track-record of contract brewing at Fourpure in Bermondsey, Big Drop sees this new partnership as an evolution of its decentralised business model that allows it to produce fresh 0.5% ABV beer anywhere in the world – locally and ethically – with minimal carbon footprint. It gives Big Drop the opportunity to swiftly increase revenues to in excess of £5m per year, thanks to In Good Company’s brewing capacity, direct draught accounts and well-established sales & marketing functions.
By adding Big Drop to its portfolio, the partnership also puts In Good Company in a strong position to meet the changing demands of craft beer consumers. According to IWSR Drinks Market Analysis the compound annual growth rate for the alcohol-free beer market in the UK will be +12% until 2026.
Steve Cox, CEO of In Good Company, said: “Big Drop has become an iconic alcohol-free brand and we’re excited about working more closely with them to provide greater efficiencies without compromising any of their values. This partnership means we can grow together under one roof with all brands in the portfolio enjoying the combined synergies they bring.”
Joseph Walsh, Managing Director of Big Drop, commented: “We’ve worked hard to build a solid platform for the Big Drop brand and this is undoubtedly the best route to scale the business for the future. Brewing under licence simplifies our supply chain and broadens our availability while still allowing us to invest in growth.”
Rob Fink, Founder of Big Drop, added: “We’re delighted that we are on this journey with In Good Company who have the perfect production facility in Bermondsey, have nailed our brew-to-strength techniques and have an extremely capable team behind them.”
Big Drop has become one of the world’s most successful brands of alcohol-free craft beer since launching in 2016. It has won over 100 international beer awards, including seven times World’s Best at the World Beer Awards which is more than any UK brewer. It has distribution in the UK via major pub chains including Mitchells & Butlers and Greene King as well as multiple retailers: Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Morrisons and Ocado. Investors who have supported the growth of the business with a total of £9.5m of investment to date include: Mark Hunter (Former Molson Coors Global President & CEO), Stefan Orlowski (Former Heineken President Europe & Americas) and Alastair Smith (Former Managing Director of IWSR).
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Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lyNgntaREzJMVjTywieiMW6frF7H6Cca
From left to right: Brian Bolger IGC Executive Director, Rob Fink Big Drop Co-Founder, James Kindred Big Drop Co-Founder, Joseph Walsh Big Drop Managing Director, Steve Cox IGC CEO
About Big Drop
Big Drop was launched in 2016 as the world’s first brewer dedicated to alcohol-free beer by City of London lawyer, Rob Fink and his school friend/bandmate James Kindred. Both had recently become fathers and were looking to cut back on the booze but could not find any decent alternatives to their favourite craft beers. Along with experimental brewer, Johnny Clayton, they have pioneered a process called Reduced Amylase Brewing. This is a fully-fermented brewing cycle in which the beer never rises above 0.5% ABV – so nothing is extracted and means it retains all the flavour. Its core range of craft beers, which are all <0.5% ABV, currently consists of: Galactic Milk Stout, Reef Point Lager, Pine Trail Pale Ale and Paradiso Citra IPA as well as special editions and collaborations with other leading brewers. Now producing four million cans & bottles a year, Big Drop is recognised as a market leader in this rapidly growing sector, with availability in 20 countries. For more information about Big Drop’s beers, tasting notes and availability, visit www.bigdropbrew.com
About In Good Company
In Good Company Brewing, the owner of Fourpure Brewing and Magic Rock Brewing, was established in 2022. Steve Cox leads the business as CEO, with over 20 years of experience in the drinks and UK hospitality and pub sector. Since launching back in 2013, Fourpure has grown to become one of the UK’s leading craft brewers, producing high quality and easy-drinking beer from four traditional ingredients – hops, yeast, malts, and water. Based in the heart of the vibrant South East London beer scene, its taproom and brewery has become one of Bermondsey’s most impressive hubs for independent craft beer. Fourpure’s core range of beers includes a Lager, Citrus IPA, Hazy Pale Ale, and an Oatmeal Stout, so there’s something for everyone. With northern provenance, founded in 2011, Huddersfield based Magic Rock Brewing is a culmination of a lifelong passion for beer. Inspired by local Yorkshire brewing tradition and the vibrant US beer scene, Magic Rock Brewing draws inspiration from local beer heritage and peers in the global beer community to deliver a taste experience that is magically removed from the mundane. Alongside a distinctive core range, Magic Rock produce an ever-changing line-up of idiosyncratic beers with an innovative quality-driven approach. To find out more about Fourpure visit www.fourpure.com or follow on social media at @fourpure on Instagram and Facebook. For more information about Magic Rock visit www.magicrockbrewing.com or follow on social at @magicrockberwing on Instagram and Facebook.
Further information: Nick Heath 07720 297972 / nick.heath@bigdropbrew.com