Rooster’s is pleased to announce the acquisition of Daleside Brewery, our Harrogate neighbours, in a move that allows Eric Lucas and his fellow shareholders to step down and enjoy retirement.Existing customers won’t notice any day-to-day changes at Daleside, with the business continuing to operate as a separate company. Adam, Vincent, Craig, Rob, Col and the rest of the Daleside team will continue to brew and deliver the brewery’s well-loved range of beers, which includes the likes of Monkey Wrench, Morocco Ale and the ever-popular Daleside Blonde.
Daleside was founded in 1991 by Bill Witty, who passed away in 2007. Eric Lucas joined the brewery in 1993, eventually becoming Managing Director. For over 30 years, he and the Daleside team ensured that the Daleside brands have been enjoyed across the UK and abroad.
The operation of the Daleside business will, in due course, transfer across Harrogate to Hornbeam Park and fill spare capacity at Rooster’s. The two businesses will continue to trade separately within our respective markets, however, with Daleside’s portfolio of beers continuing to be brewed by their existing team and using their own dedicated strain of yeast to maintain the unique flavour of their beers.
To facilitate the acquisition and to enable future growth, Rooster’s has raised a substantial amount of new capital from a private investor.
As anyone who may have listened to the recent podcast interview with Matt Curtis for Pellicle, Daleside has always been a local brewery we have admired. We have enjoyed drinking their beers for as long as we care to remember and are delighted to enable the Daleside business to continue beyond Eric’s retirement. We know the team well and, with only a few miles between us, have helped each other out countless times out over the years. In addition, Oliver, Rooster’s Head Brewer, did his apprenticeship and cut his teeth in the world of brewing at Daleside in the early 2000’s.
Eric Lucas, Daleside Managing Director, said: “I’m delighted that the long-term future of Daleside Brewery, its team and its brands have been secured and will remain in Harrogate with the highly respected and acclaimed Rooster’s Brewing Co.. Being with Daleside has been an astonishing and enjoyable journey. On behalf of myself and my fellow owners, I would like to thank everyone who has contributed and has been part of this great Daleside experience. I’m sure that we’re all looking forward to many pints of both Daleside and Rooster’s beers in the future.”
Cheers!
Ian, Tom and Oliver