Marston’s signs multimillion-pound pre-Brexit deal with US brewing company

Marston’s Beer Company has reached a long term ‘trade agreement’ with Portland, Maine based Shipyard Brewing Co. ahead of Brexit.

The new multi-million pound agreement for 15 years follows a previous successful contract and extends the relationship between the two companies until 2034.

Shipyard co-founder Fred Forsley visited Marston’s head office to sign the deal and develop plans for the next phase of development for the partnership which will cover NPD plans for 2020 and beyond.

The collaboration which already has a 12-year history, has been a success as the popularity of USA styled craft beers has grown in the UK.

Shipyard APA, the first beer to be brewed solely in the UK for Shipyard was permanently available in 2013 and has gone on to be the UKs biggest selling craft keg beer and Shipyard IPA continues to grow in the off-trade and commands the PBA category’s highest rate of sale. In June 2019, Marston’s launched Low Tide, Shipyard’s first low alcohol alternative into the UK market.

Forsley said: “This new commitment is a fantastic news, a dream come true for Shipyard in that we continue to work with a business which has become our extended family – walking into pubs and seeing our beers on the bar or in supermarkets in the UK is a huge buzz. Marston’s is a great business partner and our relationship runs very deep. Our long-term plans are exciting and we are both looking long into the future which allows us to focus on the beer and not on contract durations.”

Richard Westwood, managing director, Marston’s Beer Company, added: “Marston’s and Shipyard has been a real success story for UK brewing industry and is a real testament to the uniquely close relationship we have developed and the trust we have built between our businesses.”

Marston’s Beer Company is the brewing and brewery side of Wolverhampton-based Marston’s PLC and includes six national breweries .