Damm UK takes stake in Dalston’s Soda Co as first soft drinks partner

A step in Damm's journey to becoming a total beverage business and a step up for Dalston's to grow across both UK on- and off-trade

July 2026 Damm UK has taken a stake in London founded Dalston's Soda Co, as the first soft drinks partner in the Accelerator Programme at the Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford. With the acquisition of the Old Speckled Hen brands earlier this month, this marks another step in Damm's journey to becoming a total beverage company.

The partnership will see Damm support Dalston's Soda Co across production, distribution and commercial infrastructure to further Dalston's growth across on-trade and off-trade channels.

The Accelerator Programme is designed to support fledgling beverage brands demonstrating growth potential with manufacturing, innovation and distribution in one smooth operation, drawing on Damm's collective beverage and commercial expertise, with over 25 years' experience making and distributing soft drinks in Spain.

The move comes as UK drinkers continue to trade up with the ongoing premiumisation trend. Dalston's sodas are carefully made with real fruit, no added sugar and without artificial sweeteners or flavourings which resonates with Damm's focus on quality, natural ingredients, craftsmanship and authenticity. Dalston's Soda Co's certified B Corp status also complements Damm's value of sustainability.

Both businesses have also established strong relationships with gastronomy and hospitality, recognising that it's these venues that become advocates and ambassadors for their products. Damm also fosters ties with the fields of culture, sport and music, offering future avenues for connection for Dalston's Soda Co.

Luke White, Managing Director of Damm UK comments, "We are excited to welcome Dalston’s as our first soft drinks partner which is well aligned with Damm’s premium offering that centres around craftsmanship, excellent ingredients and outstanding quality. We look forward to seeing Dalston’s flourish as we work together to help support its growth in the UK and beyond."

Duncan O’Brien, Founder of Dalston's Soda Co adds, "It’s a little mind-blowing to see Dalston’s make it from its bootstrapped origins to partnering with Damm. They’re a superb ally for Dalston’s - we share a focus on producing great-tasting drinks, and a real respect for gastronomy, sustainability and the arts. It’s a huge vote of confidence in what we’ve built, and we’re thrilled at the growth potential that working with the Damm team brings."

Giles Brook, Chairman of Dalston’s Soda Co continues, "We are incredibly excited to be partnering with Damm. As they continue to broaden their total beverage offering, we believe Dalston’s can play a significant role as their core soft drinks proposition, providing trade customers with an exciting, natural, healthier alternative to traditional soft drinks while delivering the bold, exceptional fruit flavours that consumers increasingly seek. We believe this partnership represents a hugely exciting opportunity to accelerate Dalston’s growth and unlock the brand’s full potential. We look forward to building something truly special together."

Damm relaunched the Bedford brewery as the Damm Eagle Brewery in October 2025 with a hub for beyond beer innovation, following a £70 million modernisation. The renovations introduced new syrup handling and mixing technology alongside its state-of-the-art canning line and increased capacity, with the potential to expand to 2M HL. Damm will now undertake a new renovation phase to make additional adjustments and improvements to the site.

As Damm celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, this reinforces its role as not only the largest independent brewer operating in the UK, but now a player in the total beverage market. It also highlights its key values and forward-thinking outlook, which is echoed in Dalston’s Soda Co, to cement Damm as a benchmark for excellence, sustainability and international growth.

About Damm

Founded in Barcelona in 1876, Damm is one of Spain's leading food and beverage companies, founded by master brewer August Kuentzmann Damm. The business spans brewing, hospitality, logistics and distribution sectors. It operates 17 production plants across the Iberian Peninsula and one in the UK, producing and packaging close to 21mHL of beer, water, soft drinks, dairy products and milkshakes annually. In 2025, Damm reported a turnover of over €2bn and employed 6,393 people.

Damm's brands are present in more than 130 countries, offering a wide portfolio of beers and styles. Its flagship, Estrella Damm, is a Mediterranean lager brewed with 100% natural, high quality ingredients following the original 1876 recipe. In July 2026, Damm acquired the Old Speckled Hen brands reconnecting the brewery with its roots of British beer and ale production.

In 2022, Damm acquired the Eagle Brewery in Bedford, reinforcing its commitment to the UK market and sustainable practices. The renovations included a new state of the art canning line as well as soft drink making facilities.

The dream of a Mediterranean-style brewery started out 150 years ago in Barcelona and now Damm is commemorating its 150th anniversary and shared history with society through a schedule of events, strengthening its commitment to culture, gastronomy and music.

About Dalston's Soda Co

Dalston's Soda is a London-born soft drinks brand created by chef-founder Duncan O'Brien. At the heart of Dalston's is a commitment to making incredible-tasting soft drinks from real, natural ingredients. Every can is made with real fruit grown on real farms, with no added sugar, sweeteners or artificial ingredients. What began as small batches delivered by bicycle to local cafés has since grown into a national challenger brand, stocked at major retailers Waitrose, Asda and Ocado, and across thousands of hospitality and independent outlets. Dalston's is a proud certified B Corporation.

For more information:

Emma Jarman, Roman RM

e.jarman.c@romanrm.com | 07961 352537

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