In a landmark move for Scotland’s craft drinks sector, 71 Brewing has acquired Bon Accord Soft Drinks, combining two independent, premium brands with a shared commitment to quality, innovation, and craft excellence.
The acquisition merges 71 Brewing’s expertise in craft beer with Bon Accord’s naturally sweetened, plant-based carbonated soft drinks, creating a complementary portfolio positioned to capture growth across the premium beverage market, both domestically and internationally.
Karen Knowles, Founder of Bon Accord, said: “Now is the right time for this transition. We’ve had nine successful years of growth, building a brand founded by my great-great-grandfather in 1903, which places wellbeing and better-for-you drinks at the heart of everything we do. Partnering with 71 Brewing expands our operational capacity and allows us to scale, innovate, and reach new audiences with even greater impact.”
The move aligns closely with 71 Brewing’s growth strategy, which has established it as Scotland’s fastest-growing brewery in UK grocery. The acquisition is a key step in diversifying their product range, strengthening their premium portfolio, and expanding market share across retail, hospitality, and export markets.
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Duncan Alexander, Managing Director of 71 Brewing, said: “The merger presents a unique opportunity to work with an established, opportunity-rich brand that shares our values. Bon Accord’s ethos of craft and quality mirrors our own, and their premium soft drinks are a perfect complement to our beer portfolio. Together, we’re creating a stronger, more versatile drinks company that reflects Scotland’s creativity and ambition.”
The merger brings both capital investment and strategic collaboration, allowing the combined business to drive revenue growth across multiple channels, expand distribution in retail, hospitality, and export markets, accelerate new product development and packaging formats, and strengthen their market position.
This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for Scotland’s craft beverage sector, positioning the combined business as a leading, versatile force in the evolving drinks market.
