Magners owner C&C Group has acquired Scottish brewery Innis & Gunn for £4.5m, after acting as a minority shareholder for a number of years.

The deal will see C&C Group buy the Innis & Gunn brand assets and associated global intellectual property.

This move is part of a strategy for the business to grow its brand portfolio, which includes Magners Cider and The Orchard Pig.

Roger White, CEO of C&C Group, said: “We have worked with Innis & Gunn for many years, and whilst it’s under difficult circumstances, we are delighted to bring the brand fully into our portfolio.

“This is a compelling and highly synergistic opportunity to save a well-loved brand for which we currently brew most of the product.

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“Our existing brewing and route-to-market platform allows us to integrate the brand effectively and quickly, supporting the ongoing supply of products to customers and consumers.”

C&C’s board anticipates that the acquisition will be a rapid operational transition and cause minimal disruption to the business.

Additionally, the drinks manufacturer expects a “small positive contribution to the overall financial performance in FY27″ from the purchase.

The group plans to develop the Innis & Gunn brand and use its existing production capabilities and routes to market to bring in additional value for the company.

This news comes as global Scottish beer giant BrewDog was recently acquired by cannabis business Tilray following years of financial losses and bar closures.