C&C Group

What C&C Group does

C&C Group plc is an Irish-headquartered, London-listed premium drinks company that manufactures, markets, and distributes a portfolio of owned and agency beer, cider, and wine brands across the UK, Ireland, and 60+ international markets. Its core owned brand portfolio comprises Tennent's Lager (brewed since 1885 at Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow), Bulmers and Magners Irish ciders (produced in Clonmel, County Tipperary, since 1935), and a growing premium/craft tier that now includes Menabrea, Innis & Gunn, Drygate, Heverlee, Orchard Pig, Blackthorn, Caledonia Best, and Jubel. Manufacturing is anchored in two main production sites — Wellpark (Glasgow) and Clonmel (Tipperary, including 165 acres of company-owned orchards) — supported by sustainability infrastructure such as carbon capture, anaerobic digestion, a 1MW heat pump, Ireland's largest rooftop solar installation, and an air-rinsing can line, with 95% of group electricity sourced renewably in FY2025.

The commercial engine is the Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB) distribution platform, integrated in May 2026 as a single route-to-market serving approximately 30,000 on-trade hospitality customers in the UK and Ireland via C&C's own fleet. The company generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) direct sales of owned branded beer and cider to wholesale and retail channels, (2) wholesale drinks distribution to hospitality under the Matthew Clark, Bibendum, Tennent's, and Bulmers Ireland brands, and (3) agency/commission distribution of third-party wine and spirits brands. Strategic equity exposure includes a 47% stake in Admiral Taverns, owner of approximately 845 pubs in England, providing a captive on-trade channel for owned brands.

The FY2026 net revenue was €1,569.8M, generated by 3,000+ colleagues across brewing, manufacturing, logistics, and commercial functions. Recent corporate activity has centred on craft-portfolio expansion (Innis & Gunn and Drygate acquisitions in March 2026), MCB integration, leadership refresh at the CFO level, and continued ESG investment — though no AI/ML, software platform, or data-product layer is part of the disclosed operating model.

Name

C&C Group

Legal name

C&C Group plc

Website

http://www.candcgroupplc.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1852

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

C&C Group plc is an Irish-headquartered, London-listed premium drinks manufacturer and distributor that brews and markets brands such as Tennent's, Bulmers, and Magners, and distributes beer, cider, wine, and spirits to approximately 30,000 on-trade hospitality customers across the UK and Ireland via its Matthew Clark Bibendum platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alcoholic Beverages (Beer and Cider)

NAICS

Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Breweries (31212), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcoholic Beverage Brand Owners & Holding Companies (Multi-category Portfolios) (CRADAIAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits) (AFAIAGAA), Beverage & Alcohol Distribution Centers (TLALAEAK)

Keywords

• Premium cider manufacturing
• Beer and cider distribution
• Hospitality wholesale supply
• On-trade beverage distribution
• Craft beer brands

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Beer and Cider Product Sales: C&C manufactures and sells owned beer and cider brands including Tennent's Lager, Bulmers, Magners, Menabrea, Innis & Gunn, Drygate, Heverlee, and Orchard Pig. Revenue from direct product sales across UK, Ireland, and export markets.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Leading drinks wholesaler to hospitality industry in UK and Ireland operating under Matthew Clark, Bibendum, Tennent's and Bulmers Ireland brands. Distributes owned, agency, and third-party brands to ~30,000 on-trade customers via own fleet.
3. Agency Brand Distribution: Distribution of third-party and agency wine and spirits brands through Matthew Clark Bibendum platform, representing additional commission-based revenue streams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

C&C Group plc manufactures and markets branded alcoholic beverages — primarily beer and cider — through a portfolio of owned and acquired brands (Tennent's, Bulmers, Magners, Innis & Gunn, Drygate, Menabrea, Orchard Pig, Heverlee, among others). The company also operates a leading drinks wholesale distribution platform, Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB), serving approximately 30,000 on-trade hospitality customers across the UK and Ireland through its own vehicle fleet, distributing owned, agency and third-party brands.

Product overview

C&C Group plc is a premium drinks company operating a portfolio of owned, acquired, and agency beer and cider brands across the UK and Ireland. The company functions as both a brand owner/manufacturer and a drinks distributor. Key owned brands include Tennent's Lager (Scotland's favourite lager since 1885), Bulmers Irish Cider (made in Clonmel since 1935), and Magners (sold internationally). The company recently expanded its craft beer portfolio through acquisitions of Innis & Gunn (March 2026, £4.5 million) and Drygate Brewery (March 2026, €900,000). Additional brands include Menabrea (Italian lager), Orchard Pig (Somerset cider), Heverlee (Belgian pilsner), Blackthorn, Caledonia Best, and Jubel. The distribution business, unified as Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB) in May 2026, is the leading drinks wholesaler to the UK and Ireland hospitality sector serving approximately 30,000 customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Innis & Gunn: Scotland's premium craft beer brand founded in 2003, includes Lager Beer, The Original, Session IPA, Gunpowder IPA, Caribbean Rum Cask, and Islay Whiskey Cask
• Menabrea
• Orchard Pig
• Heverlee
• Tennent's
• Bulmers
• Magners

Products and services

• Tennent's Lager Scotland's leading lager brand (4.0% ABV) brewed since 1885 at Wellpark Brewery in Glasgow using highland water from Loch Katrine, Scottish malted barley, hops and a historic yeast strain. Sold in over 60 countries worldwide and through Tennent's direct distribution in Scotland.
• Bulmers Irish cider made from 17 varieties of Irish-grown apples, harvested and fermented for up to 18 months at C&C's Clonmel, County Tipperary site since 1935. Sold in the Republic of Ireland and exported internationally.
• Magners Premium Irish cider made with 17 different apples, pressed and aged for extra flavour. Sold internationally (outside Republic of Ireland) under the Magners name, best served over ice.
• Innis & Gunn Scotland's premium craft beer brand acquired by C&C Group in March 2026 for £4.5 million. Range includes The Original (6.6% ABV), Lager Beer (4.6% ABV), Session IPA (4.2% ABV), Gunpowder IPA (5.6% ABV) and barrel-aged variants.
• Drygate Glasgow-based craft brewery and venue, now fully owned by C&C Group following acquisition of the remaining 51% stake in March 2026. Part of C&C's strategy to expand its premium and craft beer portfolio.
• Menabrea Italian Alpine lager brewed since 1846 in Biella using water, barley, hops, yeast and brewer's maize. Range includes Bionda (4.8% ABV), Ambrata (5.0% ABV) and Zero Zero (0.0% ABV).
• Orchard Pig Somerset-based premium craft cider brand positioned in the craft segment, with products including Reveller (4.5% ABV) and Truffler (6% ABV).
• Heverlee Premium Belgian Pilsner Lager (4.4% ABV) brewed in the UK using Noble Saaz hops, featuring subtle malt sweetness and a distinct bitter aroma.
• Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB) Integrated wine and spirits distribution platform formed in May 2026 by combining Matthew Clark and Bibendum. Provides UK hospitality customers with one route to market for wine, beer, cider and spirits.
• Drinks Wholesale Distribution Leading drinks wholesale service to the hospitality industry in the UK and Ireland, operating under Matthew Clark, Bibendum, Tennent's and Bulmers Ireland brands. Serves approximately 30,000 customers via own fleet of vehicles.
• Blackthorn Cider brand in C&C Group's portfolio, available in the UK market.
• Caledonia Best Beer brand in C&C Group's portfolio.
• Jubel Beer brand in C&C Group's portfolio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 36% against FY2020 baseline
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FTI Consulting (Administrators)minorOthers · 6 March 2026FTI Consulting was appointed as administrator for Innis & Gunn. C&C Group acquired the Innis & Gunn brand and IP from these administrators in a pre-packaged sale for £4.5 million.
• Big Issue GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with UK social enterprise tackling homelessness, addiction, mental health, and poverty. By end of FY2025, 19 colleagues hired through Big Issue across depot network. Partnership aligned with charitable agenda and DE&I strategy.
• Inner City Enterprise (ICE)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Irish not-for-profit charity helping unemployed individuals establish businesses in Dublin's Inner City. C&C employees volunteer as mentors and deliver training sessions. Partnership supports both community development and colleague career development.
• Admiral TavernscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 September 2017C&C acquired 47% stake in Admiral Taverns, owner and operator of approximately 845 pubs mainly in England, to strengthen route-to-market in the UK on-trade.
• SedexminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Sedex to capture ESG data from suppliers. Audits and reviews conducted over lifetime of major supplier contracts to assess environmental management, health and safety, and labour practices.
• DrinkawareminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with leading alcohol charity to roll out e-learning resources to all colleagues across C&C Group for responsible promotion and consumption of alcohol.
• National Association of Cider Makers (NACM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK industry association working with apple growers and agricultural communities in cider regions. Puts C&C at heart of UK Government discussions on responsible alcohol use and sustainability.
• British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK industry body for beer and pub sector. C&C active member engaged with tax and regulatory discussions affecting the industry.
• Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK industry association for wine and spirits sector. Membership builds knowledge and understanding in critical regulatory areas.
• UK HospitalityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK hospitality industry body. C&C member engaged with policy makers on future of industry.
• European Cider and Fruit Wine AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean industry body for cider and fruit wine producers. C&C participates in policy discussions at European level.
• All-Ireland Pollinator PlanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC&C Group continues as patron of All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. One third of grassy areas at Bulmers site mown under pollinator-friendly regime, 35m2 dedicated to pollinator-friendly containers and bee hotel.
• The Benevolent Society of ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTennent's longstanding partnership with charity aiding people who have worked in licensed trade for at least three years full-time. Beneficiaries receive annual financial assistance and emergency grants.
• Best Bar None ScotlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational accreditation and award scheme for licensed premises in Scotland. Tennent's supports participants with advice to improve safety and management standards.
• PubAid Community Pub Hero AwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatthew Clark partnership with PubAid and All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group supporting awards recognizing hospitality's role in UK communities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Stock Spirits Group: Central and Eastern European branded spirits company. Comparable as a mid-cap branded alcoholic beverages platform, though primarily regional/European rather than UK/Ireland focused like C&C.

Broad incumbents

• Carlsberg Group: Global brewer with strong UK presence through Carlsberg UK (now combining Britvic). Comparable in combining brand ownership with UK on-trade distribution; much larger and more geographically diversified than C&C.
• Diageo plc: Global spirits giant with strong UK on-trade presence (Guinness, Smirnoff, etc.). Competes for on-trade customer relationships, hospitality listings, and consumer occasions; broader portfolio and substantially larger scale than C&C.
• Asahi Group Holdings: Japanese-headquartered global brewer owning UK brands (Asahi, Peroni, Stelvio, Cornish Orchards). Directly competes with C&C in UK premium beer and cider on-trade channels; larger and more global.
• Heineken N.V. Global brewer with strong UK/Irish presence through Heineken, Foster's, and Strongbow (a direct Bulmers/Magners competitor in UK cider). Larger, more diversified portfolio; competes head-to-head with C&C in UK cider and on-trade channels.
• Davide Campari-Milano N.V. Italian-headquartered global spirits group with premium brand portfolio and significant on-trade presence. Comparable as a branded alcoholic beverages platform with multi-category portfolio and route-to-market emphasis.

Emerging players

• Fevertree Drinks plc: UK-listed premium mixers brand. Comparable as a UK premium drinks brand owner focused on the on-trade occasion; smaller scale but similar go-to-market through hospitality venues.

Direct peers

• AG Barr plc: Scottish soft drinks company (Irn-Bru, Rubicon, Funkin). Smaller UK/Scottish drinks brand owner and manufacturer; comparable business model (single-country focus, iconic regional brand, mid-cap public company).
• Molson Coors Beverage Company: Large North American and UK brewer with established UK beer brands (Carling, Cobra, Doom Bar). Comparable to C&C in combining branded beer manufacturing with UK on-trade distribution focus; operates at larger scale but similar model.
• Britvic plc: UK-listed soft drinks manufacturer (PepsiCo licensee) with strong UK on-trade distribution muscle. Comparable to C&C in combining UK brand ownership with hospitality channel distribution; recently acquired by Carlsberg, illustrating the consolidation pressure C&C faces.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A13 records

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C&C Group