Carlsberg makes further craft beer inroads with London Fields Brewery acquisition

Danish beer producing giant Carlsberg has acquired London Fields Brewery as it seeks to boost its premium beer portfolio in the UK.

London Fields Brewery, which was founded in 2011 in Hackney, produces craft beers including Craft Lager, Easy IPA and Shoreditch Triangle IPA. Carlsberg will operate the business in a joint venture with New York’s Brooklyn Brewery, with the two joining up to invent new beer flavours and combinations.

The London Fields Brewery will operate as an independent business within the joint venture, its craft beer range becoming part of the Danish brewer’s core portfolio in the UK and also forming part of its House of Beers range. This caters for premium venues across London and other major cities, and which already includes the Brooklyn Brewery craft beer portfolio.

Julian Momen, Carlsberg UK's CEO, said: "We’re thrilled to add London Fields Brewery to our growing portfolio of great quality craft and specialty beers. Our customers, and specifically those in London and other major cities, are looking to us to offer them the best possible range of interesting craft beers – and we think that, with nurturing, London Fields Brewery has huge potential. It’s the right move for us as we build a credible craft portfolio.”

Currently, London Fields Brewery beers are brewed outside of Hackney by a brewing partner. Investment will be made to re-introduce brewing at its original home under the railway arches in Hackney, and to upgrade its tap-room and events space. 

Eric Ottaway, CEO of Brooklyn Brewery, added: "We’re excited to be able to work closely with this great London-based craft brewery. The range of beers, their eye-catching artwork and the great location of the brewery in Hackney makes for a fantastic platform.  London Fields Brewery is surrounded by a thriving creative community that reminds us of home, and we're looking forward to becoming part of it."