Blackjack Brew Co
Manchester-based craft brewery founded in 2012, producing 42+ unique beers annually across multiple ranges including traditional cask ales, lagers, and modern IPAs. Serves UK pubs and bars through trade distribution and direct consumers via Shopify webshop, while operating wholly-owned market bars and a seasonal Brewtap venue.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersManchester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Blackjack Brew Co does
Blackjack Brew Co is an independent craft brewery founded in 2012 in Manchester, England, operating from Arch 36 Irk Street in the Northern Quarter near Angel Meadows. The company produces over 42 unique beers annually on a 15bbl brewing system (installed 2021) with dual-purpose fermenter and conditioning tanks, organised into clearly defined ranges: the Pub Ale Series (traditional British cask ales), Lager Pursuits (Pilsner, Helles, Noble, Tilda, Squalor), Angel Meadows (West Coast-style pale ales and IPAs), Future of Modern (experimental hazies, nitro stouts), and Hell Upon Earth (limited imperial stout releases). The portfolio emphasises style authenticity, balanced flavour, and a narrative identity rooted in Manchester pub culture and Angel Meadow neighbourhood history, refreshed in June 2024 by Manchester studio Ensemble.
The business operates a multi-channel revenue model combining trade sales to pubs and bars (regional direct delivery across the North of England plus national keg distribution via the Sellar online trade platform) with direct-to-consumer sales through a Shopify webshop offering cans, mini casks, and merchandise, with free local Manchester delivery and APC national shipping. Additional revenue streams include the seasonal Brewtap venue (May–August weekends) and wholly-owned venue operations including Jack In The Box Altrincham, Smithfield Bar, and Sawn Street, which were folded into the brewery structure during a 2020 restructuring.
The company is privately held with approximately 11 employees, founder/management-led (Directors include Rich Fowell, Joe Bird, and Darcey), with Head Brewer Kieren Johnson leading production. There is no disclosed external investment, parent company, or external ownership. The business has demonstrated operational resilience through COVID-19 (pivoting to Cask in a Box and mini kegging during lockdowns) and a 14-month brewery rebuild crisis (2020-2021) that ultimately led to a successful gas-to-electric conversion.
Blackjack Brew Co firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blackjack Brew Co
- Legal name
- Blackjack Brewing Co
- Website
- https://blackjack-beers.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Manchester-based craft brewery founded in 2012, producing 42+ unique beers annually across multiple ranges including traditional cask ales, lagers, and modern IPAs. Serves UK pubs and bars through trade distribution and direct consumers via Shopify webshop, while operating wholly-owned market bars and a seasonal Brewtap venue.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blackjack Brew Co industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Craft Beer
- NAICS
- Breweries (31212), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (72241), Beer and Ale Merchant Wholesalers (424810)
- SIC
- Malt Beverages (2082), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Beer Brewing & Brands (CRADAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service) (THAFALAA), Craft Beer Bars & Taprooms (THAFAEAG), Regional & National Breweries (THAFALAD), Taprooms & Brewpubs (CRANACAF)
Keywords
Where Blackjack Brew Co is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Manchester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Blackjack Brew Co business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Beer Sales (Trade): Wholesale and direct sales of cask, keg, and canned beer to pubs, bars, and hospitality venues across the North of England and nationally via Sellar trade platform.
- Direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales: Online sales of canned beer, mini casks, and merchandise through their Shopify e-commerce platform with local Manchester delivery and national shipping.
- Brewtap Events: On-site tap room events generating revenue through direct beer sales to event attendees.
- Merchandise: Sale of branded merchandise including apparel and accessories through their webshop.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | National Delivery Standard Rate |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Blackjack Brew Co product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blackjack Brew Co is a Manchester-based craft brewery producing over 42 unique beers annually across multiple ranges including traditional British pub ales, lagers, West Coast IPAs, and modern experimental styles. The company sells via direct-to-consumer e-commerce (canned beer, mini casks, merchandise), wholesale trade channels to pubs and bars across the North of England and nationally via the Sellar platform, and on-site Brewtap events. Multiple formats (cask, keg, can, mini cask, bag-in-box) serve different consumption occasions.
Product overview
Blackjack Brew Co is a Manchester-based craft brewery producing over 42 unique beers annually across multiple distinct ranges. Their core portfolio includes: The Pub Ale Series (traditional British styles like Best Bitter, Northern Porter, and ESB celebrating pub culture), Lager Pursuits (classic lagers including Pilsner, Helles, and Noble), Angel Meadows (West Coast-style pale ales and IPAs), The Future of Modern (experimental styles including New England hazies, nitro stouts), and Collaboration beers. Beyond packaged beer, they offer Mini Casks for home dispense, operate a Brewtap events venue, and run Market Bars and the Smithfield Bar. They produce seasonal and charity releases, with recent notable launches including the 2024 full rebrand with Ensemble and limited edition Caminada Imperial Stout.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- The Pub Ale Series A range of traditional British beer styles celebrating pub culture, featuring Jack In The Box (Blonde Ale 4%), Best Bitter (4.2%), Early Days (Northern Porter 4.6%), and Little Extra (Extra Special Bitter 5.6%). Targeted at UK pubs, bars, and craft beer drinkers seeking traditional cask ale.
- Lager Pursuits A range of traditional and modern lager styles including Pilsner, Helles, Noble, Tilda, and Squalor, focused on truth to classic style. Targeted at craft beer drinkers and trade customers seeking authentic lager offerings.
- Angel Meadows Range West Coast-style beers inspired by American IPAs, including Irk Street Pale (3.8%), Salvation! Session IPA (4.5%), Ruff Times, All Angels, and Lowry Steps. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts seeking hop-forward modern styles.
- The Future of Modern Experimental and modern beer styles including Hazy Meadows (3.8%), Dancing Saloon (5.2%), Fruition (4.2%), Irwell Depths (Nitro Stout 4.8%), Brace, Summer's Porter, and Hurdles. Targeted at adventurous craft beer consumers seeking new flavours.
- Collaboration Beers Collaborative beers brewed with partner breweries including Pail, Cyril, and Five Alive. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts interested in limited collaborative releases.
- Hell Upon Earth Caminada Imperial Stout limited releases within the Hell Upon Earth range, with 2024 edition available. Targeted at craft beer enthusiasts seeking high-strength, limited-edition dark beers.
- Mini Casks Home-brewable mini cask ale (approximately 5 litres) sold via the webshop that customers chill, store, vent, tap, and pour at home. Contains live yeast and is not fined for brightest results. Targeted at home craft beer consumers seeking pub-style cask ale at home.
- Brewtap An events venue at Arch 36 Irk St, Manchester, hosting music and beer events during summer months with on-site beer sales, food vendors, and live music. Targeted at Manchester craft beer consumers and event attendees.
- Cask in a Box Beer sold in bag-in-box format developed during COVID-19 lockdown to save cask beer from drainage when pubs closed and enable home consumption. Targeted at consumers during the pandemic period.
- Smithfield Bar Bar venue located on Swan Street, Manchester, part of Blackjack's wholly-owned bar fleet serving on-premise beer sales. Targeted at Manchester consumers and visitors.
- Jack In The Box (Market Bar) Wholly-owned brewpub and market bar venue at Altrincham Market serving Blackjack beers on-premise. Targeted at Manchester-area craft beer consumers.
- Branded Merchandise Branded apparel and accessories sold via the Shopify webshop alongside beer. Targeted at brand enthusiasts and gift purchasers.
Companies that use Blackjack Brew Co
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Blackjack Brew Co technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Blackjack Brew Co partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- EnsemblecoreManchester-based creative studio that redesigned Blackjack's complete visual identity in June 2024. Developed new logo referencing Knave of Coins folklore character, created custom typeface 'Blackjack Meadows' from historic Manchester signage, and established a cohesive can/pumpclip design system across all beer ranges.
- Crisp MaltingscoreSole malt supplier for base malt at Blackjack. Donated malt for The Curly Hetchins charity beer and provided Heritage Malts (Chevalier, Plumage Archer) at 50% discount for IPA for India collaborative brew.
- Loughran Brewing StorescoreHop supplier that donated hop varieties (Cashmere, Idaho 7, Meridian) for The Curly Hetchins charity beer. Founded by Rob, Blackjack's original company director who departed in 2020.
- LallemandminorYeast supplier that donated Nottingham Ale yeast pitch for IPA for India collaborative brew and The Curly Hetchins charity beer.
- Gravity SystemscoreBrewery design and installation company that installed Blackjack's new 15bbl brewing system in 2021. Assisted with emergency electric conversion when gas infrastructure was delayed. Ongoing technical support and onboarding assistance.
- IPA for India Collaborative GroupminorCoalition of 14+ UK breweries (Alphabet Brewing, Bang The Elephant, Brass Castle, Bunnyhop Brewing, Goffs Brewery, and others) coordinated by Libby from Goffs Brewery to brew collaborative Heritage IPA for COVID-19 relief in India, raising funds for Sewa UK charity.
- SellarcoreOnline trade platform enabling national keg sales to trade customers. Blackjack's trade store accessible at app.sellar.io/suppliers/blackjackbrewing/order for ordering kegs nationwide.
- APC (Courier)minorNational courier service used for shipping webshop orders direct from brewery to customer doors, operating Monday-Thursday to avoid weekend warehouse storage.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blackjack Brew Co competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northern Monk: Leeds-based craft brewery with a similar multi-channel model (DTC, trade, on-premise) and comparable headcount/scale, serving the same Northern England craft market.
- Cloudwater Brew Co: Manchester-based craft brewery of comparable scale, producing modern, style-focused beers across multiple ranges with strong DTC and on-premise presence in the same Northern Quarter geography as Blackjack.
- Marble Beers: Manchester craft brewery producing cask ales and modern craft beers; notably, Blackjack acquired its original brewing system from Marble, indicating deep operational and stylistic lineage.
- Five Points Brewing: East London craft brewery with comparable headcount, multi-channel distribution, and traditional-meets-modern beer portfolio philosophy.
- Verdant Brewing Co: Cornwall-based craft brewery specializing in hop-forward hazy and West Coast IPAs, overlapping significantly with Blackjack's Angel Meadows and Future of Modern ranges.
- Thornbridge Brewery: Derbyshire-based craft brewery producing traditional and modern styles across multiple ranges; comparable portfolio breadth and UK regional craft positioning.
- Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co: Manchester-based independent craft brewery of similar size, operating in the same Manchester/Northern England craft market with overlapping on-premise and DTC channels.
- Brew By Numbers (BBNo): London craft brewery known for diverse, style-driven experimental ranges similar in philosophy to Blackjack's Future of Modern and collaboration-led releases.
Broad incumbents
- Camden Town Brewery: London craft brewery now owned by AB InBev; operates at significantly larger scale and competes for the same UK craft consumer, representing the well-capitalized competitive set.
- Magic Rock Brewing: Yorkshire craft brewery with broader national distribution; now owned by Lion, illustrating the consolidation trajectory and competitive backdrop independent UK craft brewers face.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Blackjack Brew Co social profiles
Digital presenceBlackjack Brew Co financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blackjack Brew Co leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Blackjack Brew Co subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Blackjack Brew Co funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blackjack Brew Co M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blackjack Brew Co
What does Blackjack Brew Co do?
Blackjack Brew Co is a Manchester-based craft brewery producing over 42 unique beers annually across multiple ranges including traditional British pub ales, lagers, West Coast IPAs, and modern experimental styles. The company sells via direct-to-consumer e-commerce (canned beer, mini casks, merchandise), wholesale trade channels to pubs and bars across the North of England and nationally via the Sellar platform, and on-site Brewtap events. Multiple formats (cask, keg, can, mini cask, bag-in-box) serve different consumption occasions.
Is Blackjack Brew Co a public or private company?
Blackjack Brew Co is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Blackjack Brew Co founded?
Blackjack Brew Co was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Blackjack Brew Co based?
Blackjack Brew Co is headquartered in Manchester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Blackjack Brew Co make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Beer Sales (Trade) is the primary driver. The others are direct-to-Consumer Beer Sales, brewtap Events and merchandise.
Who are Blackjack Brew Co's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northern Monk, Cloudwater Brew Co, Marble Beers, Five Points Brewing, Verdant Brewing Co, Thornbridge Brewery, Beatnikz Republic Brewing Co and Brew By Numbers (BBNo). Broad incumbents are Camden Town Brewery and Magic Rock Brewing.
Does Blackjack Brew Co have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blackjack Brew Co.
What industry is Blackjack Brew Co in?
Blackjack Brew Co's product category is Craft Beer. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAA, Beer Brewing & Brands, with a secondary code of THAFALAA, Brewpubs & Taprooms (On-site Beer Service). Its NAICS code is 31212 and its SIC code is 2082.