Whitley Bay’s Black Storm Brewery adds gluten-free options with microbrewery acquisition

Black Storm Brewery has bolstered its position in the craft beer market with the acquisition of a microbrewery in Seaham.

The Whitley Bay-based company, set up less than a year ago, bought Autumn Brewing Co. to diversify into gluten-free options.

As part of the same strategy, Black Storm recently launched its first craft spirit, Bottled Storm Gin. It plans to develop more products for this market in the near future.

Paul Hughes, the firm’s founder and director, said: “We are delighted to add Autumn Brewing Co. to the Black Storm family.

“Peter and the team at Autumn have shown what is possible in gluten-free brewing, creating amazing beers using alternative grains to barley, like millet and quinoa.”

He added: “We look forward to continuing this development with them.”

Alongside its brewing operation, Black Storm trades through Storm Cellar, a bottle shop and tasting rooms in Whitley Bay. It also runs Beer Box at Newcastle’s STACK social hub.

Autumn Brewing Co. director Peter Briggs said, “The transfer of ownership provides a number of benefits for Autumn Brewing Co. and its award-winning ALT BREW brand of naturally gluten-free beers.

“There are great opportunities to develop the brands for the long term, continue to increase awareness of the availability and variety of gluten-free beer in our target markets as well as reaching a wider beer-drinking audience.”

He continued: “Working with Black Storm, we aim to broaden the appeal of our ALT BREW range of beers and for the beers to be known for being great beer and not just gluten-free beer. This is the start of a bright new future for customers, suppliers and the business as a whole.”