A North Yorkshire brewery is to make all the UK alcohol-free beer for a producer from Suffolk.

Ipswich-based Big Drop, which began making alcohol-free ales in 2016, is transferring all its production to the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham.

The license awarded to Black Sheep owners the Keystone Brewing Group gives Keystone exclusivity to brew and sell Big Drop’s products throughout the UK and to European export markets, filling some of the capacity created at Black Sheep Brewery following an investment of over £1m in its brewhouse.

It marks the first licence won by Keystone, adding to its growing beer brand portfolio that, as well as Black Sheep Brewery, includes Brick Brewery, Brew By Numbers, and Purity Brewing.

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For Big Drop, it replaces the previous licence held by In Good Company Brewing of London.

Mark Williams, CEO of Keystone Brewing Group, said: “Big Drop is a well-

established pure-play alcohol-free brand and the perfect fit for our portfolio, particularly with the alcohol-free beer category expected to continue growing. We know its rate of sale is one of the best in the category and by bringing Big Drop’s exceptional range under our umbrella, we aim to maximise its potential, reaching more consumers across the UK.”

According to Nielsen, the No & Low drinks category has grown by 44% in the past 12-months, and IWSR Drinks Market Analysis predicts the compound annual growth rate for alcohol-free beer in the UK to be 12% until 2026.

Rob Fink, Founder of Big Drop, added: “Big Drop would like to thank everyone at In Good Company for their hard work on the Big Drop brand. The journey continues and we’re very excited to be joining Keystone. Not only is the Black Sheep Brewery a centre of excellence but Keystone national sales team has in-depth market knowledge and a strong distribution network across the UK’’.