ARRAN Brewery has acquired a small brewery in Cambridgeshire in a strategic move to build sales of its ales in London and the south east of England.
The purchase of the Devil's Dyke will add 100 casks to Arran's stock and see the island brewer introduce brands from the English operation to its portfolio north of the Border.
Devil's Dyke is currently silent but the Scottish producer plans to re-commission the brewery and relaunch its ales and introduce a new range with an "Arran twist".
The deal is geared towards raising the profile of Arran in the south east, where it says its beers have sold well on their occasional forays into the market.
Devil's Dyke is well known locally and has an association with the Dykes End public house to the rear of the brewery, Arran said.
Managing director Gerald Michaluk, who plans to launch a second crowdfunding drive later this year, refused to rule out further acquisitions.
The acquisition comes in the same week that Arran unveiled plans to open a bar in the Ayrshire town of Kilbirnie. The brewer intends to refurbish the former Bowers bar and rename it The Weavers, in honour of the town's historic connection with the weaving industry.
Mr Michaluk, which is developing a hotel with brewery, visitor centre and tap room in St Fillans by Loch Earn, is aiming to expand its bar portfolio.
He believes there is a high quality labour pool in North Ayrshire and wants to play a part in rejuvenating the area.
Arran has secured planning permission to build Scotland's first sake brewer in Dreghorn, also in North Ayrshire.
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