BLACK SHEEP

The brewery's origin story is inseparable from its name. After T&R Theakston, the family brewing business Paul had worked within for years, was sold to a national conglomerate, he returned to Masham to start again from scratch. His wife Sue suggested the name Black Sheep to capture his position as the family member who had gone against the grain of that corporate sale. The brewery was built on a commitment to traditional Yorkshire brewing methods, including the use of Yorkshire Square fermenters, a square vessel fermentation system that Paul Theakston was determined to preserve as a point of difference from industrial brewing.

Black Sheep entered the alcohol-free market in 2019, marking the first time in its then 27-year history that it had produced a 0.0% product. The brewery has since expanded its AF offering to include a 0% whisky alternative, positioning itself as a brand that can serve the AF spirit drinker as well as the AF beer drinker.

In May 2023, Black Sheep was acquired by investment firm Breal Capital following a period of financial difficulty. The brewery operates a multi-channel distribution model, with its products available through mainstream supermarkets, a direct-to-consumer webshop, and a broad pub presence. The AF range sits within a wider portfolio that remains anchored in traditional British brewing, making Black Sheep a natural bridge for sober-curious drinkers who already know the brand from its mainstream beers.