An ambitious new step for Damm in the UK, the Eagle Brewery will become Damm’s first brewery outside of mainland Europe and only the second Damm brewery outside of Spain.

CMBC and Damm are working together closely on the transition and expect the sale to complete by the end of this year. As part of the agreement, the Eagle Brewery’s beers will remain part of CMBC’s vibrant and diverse portfolio, ranging from world beers Birrificio Angelo Poretti and Brooklyn Pilsner to British ale brands Hobgoblin and Wainwright.

CMBC and Damm have enjoyed a long, successful partnership distributing Estrella Damm, with the UK being one of Estrella Damm’s key export markets. Much of the partnership’s activity has taken place at the Eagle Brewery, where Estrella Damm has been packaged for the UK market since 2010.

All 67 production colleagues working at the Eagle Brewery will transfer over to Damm’s workforce in the UK and will be supported by CMBC through the transition. CMBC’s logistics operation in Bedford will continue from its current location on the site for around the next 12 months, before moving to a new location.

Paul Davies, CEO, CMBC, said: “We are pleased to be able to share the news of our deal with our long-term partner Damm, building on our successful relationship to help ensure the brewery’s prosperity.

“I am grateful to all of my colleagues and their counterparts at Damm for their collaboration throughout the process of making this agreement a reality. This significant moment for the brewery, becoming Damm’s first brewery outside mainland Europe, has been made possible thanks to the brilliant and dedicated team at the Eagle Brewery, who we will be supporting throughout the transition.”

Demetrio Carceller Arce, Executive President, Damm, said: "We are delighted to announce, with our partner CMBC, the purchase of the Eagle Brewery and to welcome the brewery’s 67 employees into the Damm family.

“This deal will strengthen our position in the UK market and help drive our brand in the UK, a key market for the company’s international growth. The British public can currently enjoy our products in more than 10,000 bars and restaurants, a figure we expect to continue to grow in the coming years.”