Cawston Press has completed a full takeover of LA Brewery after first backing the kombucha maker earlier this year, strengthening its position in the fast-growing low and no-alcohol market. The Kettering-based drinks company has not disclosed the value of the deal, which gives it complete control of a brand that has built a following as a premium, alcohol-free alternative to wine.

LA Brewery was founded by Louise Avery in 2017 and has expanded into retail listings including Ocado, Booths and Amazon, as well as The Wine Society and a range of independent shops. The business has also developed a close link with Cawston Press through co-founder Mark Palmer, who has been both an investor and a board member.

Managing director Steve Kearns told The Grocer that demand for higher-quality alcohol-free drinks was continuing to rise. He said Cawston Press had already been working with LA Brewery in UK retail, giving it a strong understanding of the business before moving from investment to ownership. Kearns added that Avery and her team had created natural drinks that sit well alongside Cawston Press juice products and the Loah non-alcoholic beer brand, which the company acquired earlier this year.

The deal follows a difficult 2025 for LA Brewery. The company closed its Suffolk factory after a strategic review and shifted production to outside manufacturers, even after raising £1 million from shareholders later in the year. It also moved away from single-serve glass bottles, introducing cans alongside its 750ml “champagne-style” bottles.

Avery will remain involved in an advisory capacity, while LA Brewery’s managing director, Meg Ellis, said the brand had found a new investor able to support its next stage of growth. She said Cawston Press had the infrastructure to unlock future opportunities while remaining sensitive to LA Brewery’s creative and independent approach. Ellis also pointed to wider demand for healthier modern drinking habits, saying the brand was well placed to benefit from that trend.

The acquisition is the latest sign of Cawston Press broadening its offer beyond fruit juice. In January, it added Loah, a 0.5% ABV fruit beer brand, and in February it launched a premium sparkling water range aimed at wellness-conscious consumers.

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