Duvel Moortgat has acquired a 60% stake in UK-based kombucha producer Jarr Kombucha for an undisclosed sum.
Jarr was founded in 2015 and its hand-brewed fermented tea drinks are available from UK stores such as Selfridges, Harrods and Planet Organic, as well as selected health food retailers.
The money gained from Duvel’s purchase will allow Jarr to increase its production capacity by investing in a new production site in London.
The brand will also be able to leverage Duvel’s existing distribution network to drive further expansion in the UK, and possibly in Europe in the future.
Michel Moortgat, CEO of Duvel said: “As a family-owned brewery, specializing in drinks of the highest quality, we are delighted about this partnership with Jarr.
“The way of producing kombucha is very similar to that of beer. It is the result of all natural ingredients brewed to a tasteful drink by highly passionate people; we can now offer our consumers a different yet equally high quality brewed premium drink.”
Jarr founder Adam Vanni added: “We are hugely excited to be working with Duvel Moortgat. As a family business with a distinct focus on quality, Duvel shares our values and vision for the future.
“We are looking forward to teaming up with them and bringing great kombucha to more people than ever before.”
Duvel’s investment will strengthen its non-alcoholic drinks portfolio as more consumers move away from alcoholic drinks, and the investment follows on from Molson Coor’s acquisition of Clearly Kombucha in June.
Coca-Cola also entered the kombucha market in September, when it acquired Australian kombucha brand Mojo for an undisclosed sum.
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