Kirin subsidiary Lion has sold its UK craft breweries Fourpure Brewing Co and Magic Rock Brewing Co to Odyssey Inns.

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The brands – which were operated in the country by Kirin’s Lion Little World Beverages unit – had been placed under a strategic review earlier this year. The deal also includes the Fourpure and Magic Rock breweries and taprooms in London, Huddersfield and Holmfirth, as well as the Little Creatures craft beer bar in London.

The divestment will see Lion focus future investment towards its businesses in Australia, New Zealand and the US, where the unit has acquired Bell’s Brewery and New Belgium in recent years.

“Odyssey brings together a great team with a clear passion for brewing and hospitality and is ideally placed to take Magic Rock and Fourpure forward,” said Lion’s UK managing director Gordon Treanor. “I’d like to thank our brilliant team for their commitment and dedication, especially over the past two years. With some great sales and brand momentum, the business is well placed for the future ahead, under new ownership.”

Odyssey Inns is led by Stephen Cox, a UK hospitality veteran who is also the co-founder of Devon’s Utopian Brewing. On Monday (8 August), Utopian released a statement confirming Cox would be stepping down from his role as non-executive chairman of the brewery to focus on the new venture with Odyssey.

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