Cawston Press has expanded its non-alcoholic drinks offering with the acquisition of kombucha brand LA Brewery.
After investing in the business earlier this year, Cawston acquired all the remaining shares in LA Brewery for an undisclosed sum, The Grocer has learned.
The companies share common directors: Cawston Press co-founder Mark Palmer is a long-time investor and board member of LA Brewery.
Louise Avery launched LA Brewery as a high-end unfiltered kombucha producer in 2017 before shifting the proposition to a premium alternative to wine. Its “sparkling non-alcoholic drinks with botanical benefits” is sold by Ocado, Booths and Amazon, as well as The Wine Society and independent retailers.
Avery will continue to work with LA Brewery in an advisory capacity following the sale.
The acquisition follows a deal by Cawston earlier this year to add non-alcoholic beer brand Loah its portfolio.
Managing director Steve Kearns told The Grocer that the business continued to register increasing demand from customers for good quality non-alcoholic drinks.
“We have been involved with LA Brewery for some time, providing sales representation in the UK retail trade, so have got to know the business well,” he said.
“The opportunity to invest in the business emerged earlier this year and recent discussions have led us towards making a full acquisition.
“Louise and her team have developed outstanding natural drinks that sit very well alongside our existing Cawston Press juice and Loah non-alcoholic beer ranges. We look forward to building on the work already done by Louise and her team.”
LA Brewery, which was also backed by crowdfunders on Crowdcube, raised an additional £1m from its shareholders at the tail end of 2025 to drive a turnaround at the lossmaking business. It closed its Suffolk factory following a strategic review and outsourced production to a co-packer.
The brand also discontinued its single-serve glass bottles for a new rage of slimline cans to sell alongside its signature 750ml champagne-style bottles.
LA Brewery managing director Meg Ellis said: “We are pleased to find a new investor to secure the future of the LA brand.
“Cawston Press has the infrastructure to support and unlock the next phase of the brand’s journey, and we know will be sensitive to the brand’s creativity and independent thinking.
“We are incredibly grateful to all those investors and team members past and present who have provided such outstanding support throughout the early years of LA Brewery’s development. The brand is very well placed to take the next steps and to benefit from the growing macro trends around healthy modern drinking.”
Cawston Press pushed revenues 9% higher in 2025 to £24m thanks to growing consumer demand for natural, healthy drinks.
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