 In December 2008 York Brewery was taken over by Mitchell's Hotels and Inns of Lancaster which planned to expand its business and create jobs.In December 2018 Mitchells of Lancaster, and therefore York Brewery, went in to administration with the brewery and 4 pubs subsequently being purchased by Black Sheep Brewery.Brewing was moved to Black Sheep's Masham premises, although their stated intention was to find a new site in York.