Alltech, the Nicholasville-based global nutritional giant, announced Tuesday a major expansion of its brewery division into the European market.
The company said Tuesday it had purchased The Station Works Brewery in Newry, County Down, Northern Ireland, and Cumberland Breweries Ltd. in Great Corby, Cumbria, England. Officials said it is the first major expansion of Alltech's brewing division outside the U.S.
"We want to be one of the top 50 craft brewers in the world,” Alltech founder and CEO Pease Lyons, who was born in Ireland, said in a statement announcing the acquisitions.
Alltech’s main business is related to animal nutrition and, increasingly, farm and livestock management. But the company has leveraged the company’s bedrock knowledge and expertise working with yeast, a main component of its feed products, into a leading role in the burgeoning craft brewing and distilling scenes.
Alltech produces a variety of beer and spirits, including Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale and Town Branch Bourbon. With the new purchases come several new labels, including Finn Lager and Foxes Rock Ale.
“These new purchases will allow us to develop already established European brands while at the same time introducing our Kentucky Ale range to new markets,” said Lyons.