A local brewery born from the ashes of the original Vaux has been acquired by a brewing group to take its Sunderland heritage brands into the future.

Maxim Brewery at Rainton Meadows in Houghton is the latest regional brewery to join Powder Monkey Group Limited, joining the likes of Castle Eden Brewery in County Durham.

Maxim Brewery MD Mark Anderson | Sunderland Echo

placeholder image — Maxim Brewery MD Mark Anderson | Sunderland Echo

This acquisition takes the Powder Monkey Group to five key brands across the UK, with a physical presence in the South, Midlands and North East.

The Group also owns four breweries in Australia and is pouring in Hong Kong and Gibraltar.

Mark Anderson from Maxim said: "Maxim Brewery was formed following the closure of Vaux Breweries in 1999.

(from left) drayman Eddie Mahoney; Vaux collectors Angelika and Peter Heslop, and Maxim Brewery director Mark Anderson pictured in 2024 for the 25th anniversary of original Vaux closure | Sunderland Echo

“We are proud to have been brewing and serving our customers North East favourite beers Double Maxim, Samson, Lambtons, Swedish Blonde and other seasonals from our Houghton Le Spring brewery since 2006.

“We are delighted to be joining the Powder Monkey Group, and this will ensure that our well-loved brands continue to be brewed in the North East for many years to come and would like to thank all our suppliers and customers for their support over the last 25 years."

Andy Burdon, Group CEO of Powder Monkey added: "We're proud to have added the Maxim Brewery and established brands to the Powder Monkey Portfolio. It has a fiercely loyal customer base, and we will continue in this tradition. Hailing from the North East I am all too familiar with the strength of Maxim's brands."