Carlsberg UK signs brewing deals with rivals

Carlsberg UK has signed a deal with Marston's that will see the Wolverhampton brewer produce Tetley's cask ale after the closure of Carlsberg's Leeds brewery next year.

Carlsberg has also announced it has agreed a long term brewing partnership with Molson Coors which it said "will ensure that the majority of Tetley's production will stay in Yorkshire".

The deal will see Tetley's Smoothflow being brewed at Molson Coors' Tadcaster brewery from 2011.

Andy Hume, brewery director, Leeds Brewery, said: "We are delighted to have found a partner in Yorkshire to brew Tetley's. We have spent the last 18 months, since we announced the closure of the brewery, ensuring that we found the best possible partners.

"Molson Coors have a lot of experience in brewing beers under contract and we are completely confident that they will help us ensure that Tetley's drinkers continue to enjoy the same great tasting, quality beer."

And speaking about moving production of Tetley's cask ale out of Yorkshire to the Midlands - a move that will anger some beer traditionalists - Hume said there were no realistic alternatives.

"We looked at all realistic options in Yorkshire to brew Tetley's cask, however there was not the suitable capacity available. As such we needed to find the best option outside of Yorkshire in terms of quality and processes and Marston's provides this.

"Over the coming months our Tetley's brew masters will work closely with our partners, using the same ingredients and recipe to ensure they deliver the same great beer it always has been."

A spokesman for Carlsberg said it was still too early to talk about potential job losses at the Leeds brewery, pegged for closure mid-2011.