Latest Deals

Credit: @thelakesdistillery / Facebook

Sparkling wine supplier Nyetimber has tabled a bid to buy fellow UK business The Lakes Distillery. An offer that values The Lakes Distillery at £71m ($89.3m), including debt, has the backing of the whisky and gin maker’s board. The Lakes Distillery investors that own just under 28% of the company have agreed to sell their shares to Nyetimber. Its offer will go to a shareholder vote. The Lakes Distillery CEO James Pennefather said a sale would help its international ambitions.

Beer giant Asahi has struck a deal to acquire Australia-based gin maker Never Never for an undisclosed fee. Established in 2016, Never Never is based in McLaren Vale in South Australia where it produces its flagship Triple Juniper Gin. “Combining Asahi’s reach with Never Never’s amazing portfolio, extensive spirits knowledge and capability will enhance the value proposition for our customers,” Asahi’s Amanda Sellers said. 

Dutch group Refresco has acquired US-based VBC Bottling Company, a fellow contract manufacturer. Refresco, which has 30 manufacturing sites in North America, said VBC “complements” its presence in the market. The deal “further enhances” Refresco’s canning assets in North America and “improves our ability to service our contract manufacturing customers”, a spokesperson said.

Corby Spirit and Wine has bought Canadian ready-to-drink brand Nude Beverages. The company, majority owned by Pernod Ricard, is paying C$11m ($8m) to acquire the Nude brand from MXM Beverages. The deal was carried out through Corby Spirit and Wine subsidiary Ace Beverage Group. Set up in 2017, Vancouver-headquartered Nude Beverages markets RTDs that are sugar- and sweetener-free.