Marston’s (MARS) is tapping further into the market for US craft beer in the UK with a five-year distribution deal with American brewer Founders Brewing Company. The agreement follows on from Marston’s £55m acquisition of the Charles Wells distribution business in May 2017. Marston’s previously had the rights to distribute Founders’ portfolio of more than 40 beers for one year.
Over the initial 12-month period, Marston’s increased sales of Founders’ All Day IPA by 274 per cent, with distribution in more than 400 UK pubs and supermarkets. Marston’s head of commercial marketing, John Clements, said the business is working on distribution with numerous independent operators, craft beer bars and well-known names such as Young’s (YNGA), Castle Pub Company and Morrisons (MRW).
