History of Masham's Black Sheep Brewery as administrators called in

Subject to “the perfect storm” of Covid woes and rising costs, Black Sheep Brewery, in Masham, could face closure after failing to find a buyer.

Black Sheep was set up by Paul Theakston in 1992 after the sale of the family business, T & R Theakston Brewery, to a larger brewer (Scottish & Newcastle).

Wanting to carve out an independent space in the industry, Paul established Black Sheep brewery - named as such because he was the "black sheep" of the British brewing dynasty. 

Read more: Black Sheep Brewery faces closure as business fails to find buyer

Paul Theakston. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Housed in the former maltings in Masham, the opening of Black Sheep Brewery was marked by the first batch of Best Bitter – which has remained one of the brewery’s flagship drinks and most popular products.

Paul Theakston’s break with the family brewery caused a rift which spilt into the high court. Newspapers deemed the fracture a “public implosion of the brewing family”.

When the Theakston Brewery was bought back by the family in 2003, the brewing dynasty was back within a few hundred metres of one each other.

Well known for their “true Yorkshire grit and determination”, Paul and his wife Sue opened the brewery’s visitor centre in 1996, diversifying the young brewing business, and earmarking them as a favourite Yorkshire attraction.

Read more: Masham reeling after Black Sheep brewery calls in administrators

Black Sheep Brewery, in Masham. (Image: The Northern Echo)

In 1999, the business partnered with Monty Python to launch Holy Grail in a bottle, which is still being produced. Seven years later, they expanded their brewhouse, doubling their brewing capacity.

Despite Theakston Brewery being under family control ever since, the decades of rivalry between the breweries did not seem to abate until years.

But in 2014, the legendary rivalry was buried when the two breweries joined forces to help the market town celebrate a once-in-a-lifetime event as the Tour de France peloton passed through Masham.

The company website states that the business “continues to champion its independence” and remains with Paul Theakston’s family. In 2010, Rob Theakston joined his father, as Managing Director of Black Sheep.

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Paul’s sons Rob and Jo still play key roles in the brewery’s daily operations.

In 2018, the company acquired the first of its pubs – of which there are now four – and Paul stepped down from the board to take up his ambassadorial role as the founder of Black Sheep.

Currently, Black Sheep Brewery has a quartet of Yorkshire pubs. The Three Legged Mare and The Last Drop Inn are both located in York, whereas Foley’s Tap House and Black Sheep Tap and Kitchen are mainstays of the Leeds pub scene.

But now the future of the brewery is uncertain, as last month the company announced that it has commenced a review of its strategic options, including the possibility of a sale because of 'constraints on its funding'.

But now the brewery is calling in administrators after failing to find a buyer or financial backer for the business.

Charlene Lyons, chief executive and executive chair of Black Sheep Brewery, said: “The directors have done their utmost to deliver new investment into the existing corporate structure.

"This has not been possible, but we are progressing with our discussions around a sale of the business. Black Sheep Brewery has great products, a compelling brand and is supported by a dedicated team of people who are capable of delivering great results for the business in a different structure.”