Tennent's owner buys Innis & Gunn with brewery and pubs to close

The owner of Tennent’s has purchased Innis & Gunn, rescuing the brand from collapse, but the brewery and pubs will close with more than 100 jobs lost.

Aberdonian brewer Dougal Gunn Sharp founded the beer brand in 2003. The beer was brewed at a 20,000 hectolitre capacity brewhouse in Perth and plans were made to build a large-scale brewhouse in Edinburgh.

However, the company has confirmed that C&C Group, the owners of Tennent’s, has acquired the Innis & Gunn brand and intellectual property for £4.5m.

All three taprooms, located in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and the Perth brewhouse will be closed following the purchase.

Sharp described the sale as a “bruising process” and apologised to colleague’s losing their jobs due to the acquisition.

Dougal Gunn Sharp, founder of Innis & Gunn, said: “I’m deeply sorry to everyone affected – particularly my colleagues who have lost their jobs and the shareholders who believed in what we were building. It’s been a bruising process for everyone.

“While this outcome is not what any of us hoped for, I’m glad the brand has found a home with C&C Group. We’ve worked closely with the team for many years and they have the scale, distribution and experience to take Innis & Gunn forward.

“Despite today’s news, I remain incredibly proud of the brand, the beer and the community that grew around it. I truly hope the next chapter allows Innis & Gunn to fulfil the potential we always believed it had.”

C&C has confirmed the brand will be absorbed into the company’s existing infrastructure.

Roger White, chief executive officer, commented: “We have worked with Innis & Gunn for many years and whilst it’s under difficult circumstances, we are delighted to bring the brand fully into our portfolio.

“This is a compelling and highly synergistic opportunity to save a well-loved brand for which we currently brew most of the product.

“Our existing brewing and route-to-market platform allows us to integrate the brand effectively and quickly, supporting the ongoing supply of products to customers and consumers. We expect this Acquisition to make a small positive contribution to our overall financial performance in FY27.”