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Becoming the Largest Brewery

The UK’s Largest Family Owned Brewery

By 2000, the company’s main cask beer brands were Wells Bombardier, which was steadily growing on a national basis, and Wells Eagle IPA, which is without doubt the official beer of Bedford, and an enviable portfolio of world lagers, Charles Wells was flourishing. But the biggest change was yet to come.

In 2006, Charles Wells and Young and Co of Wandsworth in London merged their brewing and brands divisions to create the UK’s largest family owned brewery. Wells and Young’s was formed in September 2006 and created a significant force in the brewing world. The merger also included the acquisition of Young’s wine importing company – Cockburn & Campbell.

However, the era of change didn’t stop here. Just five months after the merger, in February 2007, Wells and Young’s announced that it was acquiring the iconic Courage portfolio of beers which includes Courage Best and Directors.