Kettering-based Cawston Press invested in LA Brewery earlier this year and has now acquired the remaining shares in the business for an undisclosed sum, reports our sister publication The Grocer.
The kombucha manufacturer was set up by founder Louise Avery in 2017 and is now marketed as a premium, alcohol-free alternative to wine.
Its range of beverages is stocked across Ocado, Booths and Amazon, alongside The Wine Society and independent retailers.
The businesses have a close relationship, with Cawston Press co-founder Mark Palmer an established investor and board member of LA Brewery.
Following the acquisition, Avery will continue to work with the drinks manufacturer in an advisory role.
Managing director Steve Kearns told The Grocer that the business continued to register increasing demand from customers for high-quality non-alcoholic drinks.
“We have been involved with LA Brewery for some time, providing sales representation in the UK retail trade, so have got to know the business well,” he said.
He continued: “The opportunity to invest in the business emerged earlier this year and recent discussions have led us towards making a full acquisition.
“Louise and her team have developed outstanding natural drinks that sit very well alongside our existing Cawston Press juice and Loah non-alcoholic beer ranges. We look forward to building on the work already done by Louise and her team.”
LA Brewery experienced a difficult 2025, opting to close its Suffolk factory following a strategic review and outsource production, despite raising £1 million from shareholders at the end of the year.
The manufacturer also chose to discontinue its single-serve glass bottles in favour of a new can range, which it sells alongside its 750ml “champagne-style” bottles.
The acquisition follows a deal by Cawston Press earlier this year to bring non-alcoholic beer brand Loah into its portfolio.
LA Brewery managing director Meg Ellis commented: “We are pleased to find a new investor to secure the future of the LA brand.
“Cawston Press has the infrastructure to support and unlock the next phase of the brand’s journey, and we know will be sensitive to the brand’s creativity and independent thinking.”
She added: “We are incredibly grateful to all those investors and team members, past and present, who have provided such outstanding support throughout the early years of LA Brewery’s development. The brand is very well placed to take the next steps and to benefit from the growing macro trends around healthy modern drinking.”
