Acquisition Opportunity
Hilco is pleased to offer for sale the business and assets of an established UK-based premium alcohol-free beer brand (the “Company”), which has developed an established range of premium 0.5% ABV lager and IPA products served in bottles and cans, with a differentiated pint can proposition for the on-trade. The Company’s products are gluten free, vegan, and sugar-free, and the brand has developed an established presence across direct-to-consumer, subscription, wholesale, and on-trade channels.
The Company operates through an asset-light model, with brewing and packaging outsourced to an established UK contract brewery and fulfilment undertaken by a third-party logistics provider. The Company owns its recipes and product specifications outright, enabling an acquirer to continue with the existing supply chain or integrate production and fulfilment within its own infrastructure without reformulating the products.
The opportunity provides potential acquirers with a combination of an established alcohol-free beer brand, growing revenues, repeat and subscription customers, existing trade distribution, internationally protected intellectual property, and substantial finished product and branded packaging inventory, and may be particularly attractive to brewers, drinks groups, alcohol-free beverage businesses, distributors, and consumer brand owners capable of leveraging existing production, warehousing, sales, and distribution infrastructure.
Highlights
- Established Premium Alcohol-Free Beer Brand: Established UK alcohol-free beer proposition comprising 0.5% ABV lager and IPA products across direct-to-consumer and trade revenue streams, including a differentiated pint can developed for the on-trade
- Strong Revenue Growth: Revenue of approximately £261,000 in the twelve months to 31 August 2026, representing growth of approximately 52% year-on-year, alongside gross margin improvement from 12.3% to 25.3%
- Diversified Route to Market: Established sales across direct-to-consumer ecommerce, recurring subscriptions, Amazon, wholesale and on-trade channels, with approximately 61% of revenue generated through D2C channels and 39% through trade and wholesale
- Established Customer & Subscription Base: More than 4,200 customers have purchased since launch, including approximately 1,670 customers in the latest twelve-month period and a 46% returning-customer rate, together with approximately 260 active subscriptions. Recurring subscription revenue has demonstrated significant year-on-year growth, providing an established base of repeat direct-to-consumer demand
- Established Trade Presence: Trade and wholesale generated more than £100,000 in the latest twelve-month period, with the products supplied through established wholesale, hospitality and on-trade channels
- Owned Recipes & Product Know-How: Brewing recipes and full specifications for both core products are owned outright and fully documented, together with packaging artwork, creative assets, product photography and associated know-how
- Substantial Stock Position: Approximately £169,000 of stock at cost, comprising finished product, substantial quantities of pre-printed branded packaging, point-of-sale materials, glassware and other packaging inventory
Available Assets
- Established, Award-Winning Brand: An established premium alcohol-free beer brand, with significant third-party recognition including various industry awards, with accolades from the IWSC, Great Taste Awards, World Beer Awards and other recognised beer competitions. The brand has developed an engaged consumer following, supported by 500+ customer reviews, a 4.7/5 customer rating, more than 10,000 social media followers, over 4,200 historical purchasing customers and a 46% returning-customer rate
- Registered Trade Marks: UK and international trade mark portfolio covering the core brand name and logos
- Recipes & Product Specifications: Fully documented and Company-owned brewing recipes and specifications for the core lager and IPA products
- Customer Data: Customer database comprising more than 4,200 historical purchasing customers, together with the active subscriber base
- Digital & E-commerce Assets: E-commerce store and associated digital infrastructure, including domain names, email marketing lists and social media accounts.
- Creative Assets: Packaging artwork and source files, product photography, video content and associated marketing materials
- Stock & Packaging: Approximately £169,000 of inventory at cost, including finished beer, substantial pre-printed branded packaging, point-of-sale materials, glassware and sundry packaging
- Commercial & Operational Know-How: Product cost models, supplier and production information and other operational materials supporting continued commercialisation of the brand
Sales Process and Further Information
The deadline for offers is Thursday 15 October at 4pm BST.
All expressions of interest and bids are to be directed to Hilco in writing. Please contact Hilco to gain access to a virtual data room for further information on signing a confidentiality agreement.
Key Terms and Conditions
Hilco is acting as the exclusive agent for the Company in connection with the proposed sale of, investment in, or other transaction relating to, some or all of the Company’s business, shares, assets and/or intellectual property (the “Transaction”).
Any Transaction may be structured as a share sale, business sale, asset sale (portfolio or individual), investment, joint venture or other arrangement. The Transaction is made strictly on an “as is, where is” basis. Only such right, title, and interest (if any) as the Company may have will be transferred to a purchaser or investor. No warranties, guarantees, or representations (express or implied) are given by the Company or Hilco in respect of the business, assets, intellectual property, or any information provided. All parties must rely solely on their own inquiries, investigations, and due diligence. Any information supplied (including financial, commercial or technical information) is provided for convenience only and has not been independently verified.
All offers are subject to the addition of VAT at the prevailing rate, where applicable. A non-refundable deposit equal to 20% of the agreed purchase price must be paid by the successful purchaser within 48 hours of offer acceptance. Payment of the deposit grants the purchaser the exclusive right to proceed with the acquisition of the relevant assets for a limited period and on the terms agreed. A Buyer’s Premium of 10% of the final purchase price is payable by the successful purchaser in addition to the agreed purchase price, is non-negotiable and is payable at the same time and in the same manner as the purchase price and forms a condition of Transaction.
Legal completion timelines and transaction mechanics will be agreed as part of the definitive documentation.
