Halewood enters brewing with majority stake in Lake District craft brewer: Halewood Wines and Spirits has entered brewing by acquiring a majority stake in Lake District brewery, Hawkshead. Under the deal, Hawkshead will build a new brewery, expand production and gain new routes to market for its craft beers. Hawkshead’s founder Alex Brodie said: “Demand for our beers exceeds our ability to supply. We have gone about as far as we can on our own. This partnership with Halewood will allow us to grow and fulfil our potential. I am convinced that Halewood share our values. We have had a long negotiation and I believe that this deal gives Hawkshead a way of getting significant investment without being absorbed into ‘big beer.’ Halewood sees small, craft and premium as the future. And they are Northern. I like that.” This is Halewood’s first entry into British brewing. Halewood will take a controlling interest in Hawkshead. Specific terms of the deal have not been disclosed. Halewood’s chief executive Stewart Hainsworth said: “Hawkshead Brewery will continue to operate independently of the Halewood Group, under Alex’s leadership, with Halewood as its main distributor and investor. Hawkshead brews great beers. We are delighted to help them carry on doing what they are so passionate about.” Alex Brodie, who will continue as managing director, and his existing team will carry on running Hawkshead as a stand-alone business, within a small group of North West craft drinks-makers, under the Halewood umbrella. The group includes another Lakeland company, mineral water producer – Willow Water, Liverpool Gin distillery and North Wales whisky distillery, Aber Falls, which is due to open later this year. Hawkshead Brewery was founded in 2002, by former BBC foreign correspondent Alex Brodie. In 2006 the brewery moved from Hawkshead to Staveley still in the Lake District. It is one of the most successful small breweries in the UK, selling a wide range of craft beers throughout the North West and further afield. It has won numerous brewing awards and its brewery tap, The Beer Hall, is a popular destination for beer lovers. Twice a year it showcases craft beer brewed in the North of Britain at its “Northern Craft” beer festivals. With a turnover of £2.5 million, Hawkshead currently brews one million litres (6,000 barrels) of beer per year.