Carlsberg Marston Brewery has announced the sale of its Eagle Brewery to long-time partner Damm, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Carlsberg has confirmed it will sell Bedford-based Eagle Brewery to Spanish brewer SA Damm (Damm), which already packs its Estrella Damm beer at the brewery.

However, beers from The Eagle Brewery will continue to be sold as part of Carlsberg’s portfolio, which includes British beer brands like Hobgoblin and Brooklyn Pilsner.

The two companies will work closely on the transition and expect the sale to be finalized by the end of this year.

Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company (CMBC) and Damm are existing partners in the distribution of the latter’s Estrella Damm, with the UK being one of Estrella Damm’s main export markets. Eagle Brewery has been packaging Spanish beer for the UK since 2010.

Eagle’s 67 production staff will transfer to Damm’s workforce in the UK.

Paul Davies, CEO of CMBC, said: “I am grateful to all my colleagues and their counterparts at Damm for their collaboration throughout the process of bringing this agreement to fruition. This important moment for the brewery, which becomes Damm’s first brewery outside continental Europe, was made possible thanks to the brilliant and dedicated team at Eagle Brewery, whom we will support throughout the transition.

Demetrio Carceller Arce, Executive Chairman of Damm, said: “This agreement will strengthen our position in the UK market and help boost our brand in the UK, a key market for the company’s international growth. The UK public can currently enjoy our products in over 10,000 bars and restaurants, a figure which we expect to continue to increase in the years to come.

From 1 January 2023, Estrella Damm will now be distributed to UK on-trade accounts and in the off-trade channel by Damm, while CMBC will continue to sell Estrella Damm exclusively to wholesale and independent channels.

CMBC also owns and operates a brewery and distribution network across the UK, including Carlsberg Brewery in Northampton; Marston in Burton upon Trent; Banks at Wolverhampton; Wychwood in Witney, Oxfordshire; and Ringwood in Hampshire; plus, a national distribution center in Northampton and 15 distribution depots across the UK.

Damm is currently present in more than 130 countries and has 17 production plants in the Iberian Peninsula. In 2021, its turnover reached 1,488 million euros.