Great British Drinks Company buys Black Sheep Brewery in £6.5m rescue deal

A newly formed buyer has stepped in to save Masham’s Black Sheep Brewery, securing 145 jobs and committing fresh capital to restore the business after its owner entered administration. The deal is described as a £6.5 million restoration package made up of a £4.5 million acquisition price plus a planned investment of more than £2 million to take the business back to growth.

Hill Dickinson LLP advised the buyer, Great British Drinks Company, and said the transaction acquired Black Sheep out of administration and preserves a portfolio of regional brands. Lemi McAuley, Restructuring Partner at Hill Dickinson, said, “We are proud to have supported the Great British Drinks Company on this important rescue transaction. Black Sheep is a cornerstone of Yorkshire’s brewing industry, and securing its future – along with 145 jobs – is a fantastic result for the region. With committed investment and the backing of an experienced and passionate ownership team, the business is well positioned to rebuild, grow and continue producing the much‑loved brands that consumers know so well.”

Great British Drinks Company is a newly formed venture launched in January 2026 and is backed by the family entrepreneurs behind Paramount Retail Group. The buyer has links to Saltaire Brewery and reports combined sales of £28 million. Company spokespeople have framed the acquisition as stewardship of regional brewing heritage rather than consolidation. Ravi Sharma, co‑founder of Great British Drinks Company, said, “This isn’t just a restoration deal, it’s about restoring pride to Yorkshire. The region has a proud brewing heritage, and we could not stand by and let that be lost. The next few months will be exciting, the business has some fantastic people, brilliant customers and a group of suppliers that we will be very focused on rebuilding relationships with.” Local coverage quotes Sunny Sharma, Co‑Founder, adding, “Our approach is to ensure each brewery and its brands maintain their distinctiveness and independence, that only comes from the people and places involved, not through consolidation. Our ethos is one of stewardship.”

The seller, reported as Keystone Brewery Group (also referenced in some trade reports under the name BrealGroup), had filed notices of intention to appoint administrators in November 2025 and January 2026 after earlier stabilisation work by FRP Advisory. Trade reporting describes the transfer as a pre-packaged sale that preserves operations and keeps a suite of Keystone-owned brands trading. Named brands that will continue to operate include Purity Brewing Co, Brew By Numbers, Brick Brewery, North Brewing Company, Magic Rock Brewing and Fourpure Brewing Co, along with licences such as Hofmeister and Sassy cider. Black Sheep was founded in 1992 by Paul Theakston and holds a strong retail presence in UK supermarkets alongside pub and restaurant distribution.

For brewers, suppliers and pub operators, the deal preserves a network of regional supply and keeps recognised shelf and tap brands in circulation, while promising targeted investment to stabilise production, supplier relationships and local tourism assets. Watch for operational updates from Great British Drinks Company on the roll‑out of the more than £2 million investment, confirmation of site-level plans and clarity on brand ownership and management in the coming weeks.