Red Stripe production to remain in Bedford
Red Stripe will continue to be brewed in Bedford despite UK marketing and distribution switching to Diageo.
Wells & Young’s will retain brewing duties for the Jamaican brand, which has been owned by Guinness and Diageo since 1993, when the changeover takes place on August 1.
A Diageo spokesman said: “Staying with Wells and Young’s for brewing and packaging of Red Stripe will provide us with great continuity of supply in the UK of the current Red Stripe SKUs. We are confident that the arrangements we have in place will secure our ambition of long term growth for the Red Stripe brand.”
Wells & Young’s managing director Nigel McNally said the arrangement mean the Bombardier brewer could now “focus more squarely on our ale portfolio”.
He added: “Wells & Young’s brewing and packaging capabilities in Bedford are some of the most advanced in the UK and we’re pleased Diageo have recognised this.
“We’ve brewed and marketed the beer in Great Britain for many years and in that time have grown Red Stripe to become one of the most popular premium lagers in the UK.”
