Global Brands has purchased the Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef brands from Molson Coors Beverage Company.

The Midlands-based supplier, which claims to be the biggest branded supplier of packaged cocktails to the UK off-trade, has produced and distributed these brands under license from Molson Coors since 2012.

Its existing brands include VK, Franklin & Sons tonic and Amigos Tequila Beer.

Since 2012, Global Brands says Hooch has enjoyed “huge” growth, buoyed by the launch of Pink and Orange varieties in recent years.

Steve Perez, chairman and founder of Global Brands, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Hooch, Hooper’s and Reef brands as fully-fledged members of the Global Brands family. This will give us the opportunity to invest further into the brands with the added security of owning the equity.

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“We have lots of ideas for innovation and look forward to sharing these with the trade and consumers shortly. We have enjoyed a fantastic supportive relationship with Molson Coors over the years and look forward to continue working closely together through their route-to-market team.”

Nino Beneta, managing director of Molson Coors Export and License EMEA & APAC, added: “We are excited to see Global Brands progress in growing these brands over the last decade and look forward to seeing the continued success and growth of the Reef, Hoopers and Hooch brands going forward.

“Moving forward as an EMEA & APAC Export and License team our focus will continue to be on a select portfolio of key international brands such as Coors, Staropramen, Carling, Madrí Excepcional and Blue Moon.”

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