Sunrise insists it is buying craft breweries to retain their legacy
Sunrise Beverages, which owns St Peter’s Brewery, Curious Brew, Portobello Brewing, Wild Beer and Gipsy Hill, insists it is retaining each brewery’s identity following acquisition.
Suffolk-based Sunrise Beverages has laid bare its ambitions to become the UK’s leading independent drinks company. But how will it retain each brewery’s identity?
Speaking to the drinks business, Sunrise chief executive Richard Mather said: “At Sunrise, our role is to protect and grow the legacy of the breweries we bring into the family. That means investing not just in equipment and facilities, but in the people and expertise behind the beers. Each of our brands continues to be led by the teams who developed them, and they still work closely with the wider industry, suppliers and local communities. Accountability for brand direction remains with the people who understand them.”
Mather has claimed he is “on a mission” because “starting with St Peter’s Brewery four years ago, the group has since added Curious Brew, Portobello Brewing, Wild Beer and most recently Gipsy Hill to its portfolio”. Sunrise has also become the UK licensee for EFES, a Mediterranean brew, and for Japanese beer Orion. As each of the brands have now come together under the Sunrise umbrella, the strengths of the company are its “diverse and growing portfolio that spans every style of beer”.
Describing the business, Mather has said that Sunrise can “offer pubs and bars in the UK a comprehensive, one-stop solution”. In fact, he emphasised how the company now offers “everything from delicious craft brews to premium international favourites”.
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Mather explained: “Our goal is to grow each brand by building strong partnerships that boost sales, drive innovation and deliver exceptional customer service”. With this in mind, Mather pointed out that he is, in fact, “committed to keeping the soul of independent brewing alive”.
Preserving individuality
Additionally, Mather also stated his intention to help by “empowering each brand to grow, while preserving its individuality”.
“These brands aren’t just products, they have heritage, personality, and loyal communities. That’s what makes them special, and it’s what we’re determined to protect. By investing in growth, we can offer our customers truly distinctive, beers that stand out from the crowd,” he explained.
But, he noted: “We’re in a unique position. We’re not a global giant, but we’re far more than a local craft brewery. Sunrise is built on experience, ambition, and a genuine passion for beer. Our vision is shared by our investors, who are patient and understand the power of brand building.”
Mather told db: “What Sunrise adds is scale, investment and cross functional know-how.” He added that this is what allows it to focus on “making great beer and nurturing their connections with drinkers”.
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