Damm UK has taken a stake in premium soft drinks brand Dalston's Soda Co, marking its first investment in a soft drinks business as it continues its strategy of becoming a total beverage company.
The partnership makes London-founded Dalston's the first soft drinks company to join Damm's Accelerator Programme at the Damm Eagle Brewery in Bedford, where the Spanish brewer will support the brand with production, distribution and commercial infrastructure to accelerate growth across both the on- and off-trade.
The move follows Damm's acquisition of the Old Speckled Hen brands earlier this month and forms part of the company's broader diversification beyond beer.
Damm said the Accelerator Programme is designed to help high-growth beverage brands scale through manufacturing, innovation and distribution, drawing on its experience of producing and distributing soft drinks in Spain for more than 25 years.
The company said the partnership reflects growing consumer demand for premium soft drinks. Dalston's products are made with real fruit, contain no added sugar or artificial sweeteners, and the certified B Corp brand shares Damm's focus on quality, sustainability and natural ingredients.
Luke White, managing director of Damm UK, said: “We are excited to welcome Dalston's as our first soft drinks partner which is well aligned with Damm's premium offering that centres around craftsmanship, excellent ingredients and outstanding quality. We look forward to seeing Dalston's flourish as we work together to help support its growth in the UK and beyond.”
Dalston's founder Duncan O'Brien described the deal as “a huge vote of confidence” in the business.
“It's a little mind-blowing to see Dalston's make it from its bootstrapped origins to partnering with Damm,” he said. “They're a superb ally for Dalston's – we share a focus on producing great-tasting drinks, and a real respect for gastronomy, sustainability and the arts.”
Damm UK has taken a stake in Dalston's Soda Co Photo: Handout
Giles Brook, chairman of Dalston's Soda Co, said the partnership would help establish Dalston's as Damm's core soft drinks proposition while offering retailers and hospitality operators a natural, healthier alternative to traditional soft drinks.
“We believe this partnership represents a hugely exciting opportunity to accelerate Dalston's growth and unlock the brand's full potential,” he said.
The investment builds on Damm's £70 million modernisation of its Bedford brewery, relaunched as the Damm Eagle Brewery in October 2025. The site now includes new syrup handling and mixing technology alongside a state-of-the-art canning line, with production capacity that can be expanded to 2 million hectolitres. Damm said it will now undertake a further phase of improvements at the site.
Founded in Barcelona in 1876, Damm is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. The company operates 17 production plants across the Iberian Peninsula and one in the UK, with its products sold in more than 130 countries.
Dalston's, founded in London by chef Duncan O'Brien, is stocked by retailers including Waitrose, Asda and Ocado, as well as thousands of hospitality and independent outlets.