Lion has announced the sale of its domestic UK-based operations, including the Magic Rock and Fourpure brands to Odyssey Inns Ltd.
Following a strategic review, Odyssey represented the right team of UK beer and hospitality industry experts to lead the Fourpure and Magic Rock brands into their next chapters. The sale also includes the breweries and taprooms in London, Huddersfield and Holmfirth and Little Creatures craft beer hospitality venue in Kings Cross, London.
The Odyssey team is led by Stephen Cox. Stephen is an industry leader and brings with him more than 20 years of experience in the world of hospitality and the UK pub sector. He also co-founded Devon’s Utopian Brewing and has worked with, as well as pioneered, a number of brands within the hospitality and drinks sector.
Stephen Cox said: “This is an incredible opportunity to take two exceptional brands, Fourpure and Magic Rock, to the next level. Combined with an excellent hospitality proposition, fantastic people and state of the art breweries, we really have the platform to do great things.
“We’re excited to get started and get to know the team. We bring bags of energy and enthusiasm, entrepreneurial spirit and strong industry experience, and we hope to bring joy to many more customers with these great beers.”
Lion’s UK Managing Director, Gordon Treanor, added: “Odyssey brings together a great team with a clear passion for brewing and hospitality and is ideally placed to take Magic Rock and Fourpure forward.
“I’d like to thank our brilliant team for their commitment and dedication, especially over the past two years. With some great sales and brand momentum, the business is well placed for the future ahead, under new ownership.”
The sale will see Lion focus future investment towards its businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where Lion has made significant craft beer investments and is a leading craft brewer in each market.
As a result of the new venture, Cox steps down as non-exec chairman to help lead Fourpure and Magic Rock with business partner Brian Bolger.
In a statement published on Utopian Brewing’s website, Cox said: “I’m deeply passionate about the brewing industry and I’m very proud of how Utopian has grown from its Devonshire brewery into a UK brand.
“I will continue to be a part of this journey but have decided to step down as Chairman to be able to focus on the opportunity to work with Fourpure and Magic Rock. I believe I can bring much to this enterprise alongside the team and I know that Utopian will continue to thrive under its current leadership.”
Richard Archer co-Founder and CEO of Utopian Brewing added: “Steve and I have worked together for many years and his support as Chairman through the early stages of our development has been invaluable. We now have a strong team and board in place to continue our rapid growth and continue our exciting journey.
“We would all like to thank Steve for his support and wish him and Brian every success with their exciting opportunity. Steve will retain his minority equity stake in the business but will have no active role in the running of the business going forward with immediate effect”
Featured image copyright: Fourpure
