UK private-equity firm Breal re-brands as Keystone Brewing Group

Breal Group, the UK private-equity firm that has snapped up a number of local brewers in recent months, is to change its name to Keystone Brewing Group.

The buy-out house said the move was a reflection of its “commitment to innovation and growth” in the UK beer industry.

Keystone Brewing Group will comprise the four UK breweries owned by Breal: Black Sheep Brewery, Purity Brewing, Brick Brewery and Brew by Numbers.

Breal either acquired the breweries upon their entry into administration or, in the case of Purity Brewing, when it was on the brink of administration.

“Whilst the move to rebrand acts as a unifier for each brewery within the group, Keystone Brewing Group also aims to articulate its hope for the future of the brewing industry and commitment to supporting and nurturing both established and emerging brands within its portfolio,” a spokesperson for Breal said.

The soon-to-be-renamed Breal started its acquisition spree in UK beer last May when it bought Black Sheep Brewery after the Yorkshire business entered administration.

Since its takeover of Black Sheep, Breal has said it would invest £1m ($1.3m) into the brewery to increase production and storage.

Breal is using the Black Sheep site as a consolidated source of production for the London businesses Brick Brewery and Brew By Numbers it also acquired last year.

Brick Brewery was snapped up last June for approximately £318,000 ($403,000), with the investor investment group also acquiring Brew By Numbers two months later.

The private-equity firm’s latest deal was in January when it took over Purity Brewing Co. for an undisclosed sum.

Sign up for our daily news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.