Duvel Moortgat USA

Boulevard Brewing Company has hired former Zevia Zero Calorie Soda executive Natalie Gershon as the Kansas City brewery’s new vice president of marketing.

Simon Thorpe, the guy at least partially responsible for convincing Boulevard Brewing founder John McDonald and Firestone Walker co-founder David Walker to sell their businesses to Duvel Moortgat, is on his way out. I’m not sure if Simon is sitting at home right now polishing up his resume. But, much like the NBA’s Kevin Durant lottery earlier this summer, a big-time free agent creates plenty of interest in realm of Hot Stove speculation. So here’s my list of the top six franchises that might want to consider adding this big-time leader to their lineup, and why.

Simon Thorpe, the president of Duvel Moortgat USA, has resigned and will be replaced by Jeff Krum, who currently serves as Boulevard Brewing’s vice president of corporate affairs. Thorpe, who has served as the president and CEO of Duvel USA since 2009, will continue in an advisory capacity through the end of August, the company said.

A key pair of Ballast Point Brewing executives have departed the San Diego-based brewery less than nine months after its $1 billion sale to Constellation Brands, a spokesperson from the larger company confirmed to Brewbound. Ballast Point president and CEO, Jim Buechler, and chief commercial officer Earl Kight have left Ballast Point to “pursue other interests within the beverage alcohol space,” according to Constellation Brands spokesman Michael McGrew.

Duvel Moortgat USA today announced it has hired former Diageo marketing veteran Doug Campbell as the new president of Brewery Ommegang. In a press release, the company said Campbell would “oversee the day-to-day operations at the Cooperstown brewery” and “spearhead all marketing initiatives for Brewery Ommegang.” Current marketing director Bill Wetmore is leaving to pursue other opportunities, the company noted.

Boulevard Brewing today announced plans to expand its sales footprint, adding new distribution in Delaware, Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Boulevard beers will begin hitting the new markets in late July, the company said.

Recently, some of the biggest headlines in the craft beer industry haven’t been about the beer; they have been about the mergers and acquisitions of the brewers of the beer. With the increased frequency of craft brewery transactions, owners should be thinking about what the future holds for their business (and what could be their most valuable asset). That future may include a transition to a family member, selling only a part of the business in order to fund growth or to allow owners to take some chips off the table or, in the right circumstances, to sell the entire business. Even if you have no immediate plans or desire to sell or transition your business, these tips will help you position your business so that you can take advantage of opportunities and respond to challenges that cause you to rethink your plans.

In an effort to continue providing our audience with valuable insight in areas like finance, investment, branding, marketing, sales, and distribution, we’re excited to introduce “Brewbound Voices,” an avenue for experts to contribute their knowledge to our readership. Kicking off the initiative is Mike McCann, the chairman of Kansas-City-based law firm Spencer Fane’s corporate practice group.

First Beverage Financial, the investment banking arm of First Beverage Group, today announced that it acted as the financial advisor to Firestone Walker Brewing Company in its agreement with Duvel Moortgat to combine the two companies in the USA. Firestone Walker will continue to operate independently at its Paso Robles, California facility under its current leadership of co-founders Adam Firestone and David Walker. The companies expect the transaction to close later this year. Terms of the agreement will not be disclosed.

Another top U.S. craft brewery is changing hands. As announced late last night, Duvel Moortgat will add to an impressive roster of American craft brands – one that already includes Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing and New York’s Brewery Ommegang — by “combining” its U.S. operations with California’s fourth largest craft beer company, Firestone Walker Brewing.

Firestone Walker and Duvel Moortgat have agreed to “combine their two companies” in the USA, according to a press release. Specific financial details were not disclosed. In a note posted to its website, Firestone Walker founders David Walker and Adam Firestone described Duvel Moortgat’s investment in the company as a “partnership,” and a “elegant solution that will enable us to grow within a framework that meets our standards.”

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom, a traditional casual dining restaurant known for its expansive selection of craft beers, is showing its support of Belgian and Belgian-inspired brews by featuring limited-time selections from Brewery Ommegang and some of Belgium’s most renowned breweries in its latest Explorer Series installment.

After completing an “extensive” internal and external search, Duvel Moortgat USA yesterday announced Bobby Dykstra as its new vice president of the sales. Dykstra, a 12-year beer industry veteran, takes over for Steve Mills, who left to become CEO of Uinta Brewing earlier this month.

Mike Magoulas, the former MillerCoors executive who was appointed Boulevard Brewing’s CEO in September 2012, has resigned after less than 15 months with the company. Magoulas’ last official day with Boulevard was December 31, the same day Duvel Moortgat closed on its acquisition of the Kansas City-based company.