Cincinnati legacy craft beer brands Christian Moerlein, Little Kings, and Hudepohl are changing hands once again.
Cincinnati Beverage Co. (CinBev), the company formed by three former marketing and advertising executives who acquired the brands in late 2019, has been sold to another local firm whose identity has not yet been disclosed, the Cincinnati Business Courier reported.
Although the buyer’s identity was not revealed, a spokesperson for the new owner described the buyer as “affiliated with the food and beverage industry” and shared a statement with the Business Courier saying the deal closed in April.
“This opportunity solidifies our commitment and interest in the modern craft brewery market. We are excited to revitalize historic beer brands crafted in Cincinnati,” the statement read. “Cincinnati Beverage Company owns Moerlein, Little Kings, Hudepohl and many other current and historical brands. There are meaningful relationships maintained by Cincinnati Beverage Co. and we are committed to growing those relationships. We’re delighted about the opportunities.”
Marketing and advertising executives Jay and Jodi Woffington and Michael Graham took over leadership of the craft beer brands after acquiring a majority stake in the business in December 2019, three months before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered bars and restaurants. The Christian Moerlein taproom, which first closed in March 2020, was permanently closed in June 2020.
A year later, the company announced in December 2020 it would shift production to an unnamed contract brewing partner, ceasing production at its facility in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, and cutting the jobs of 20 workers, including Greg Hardman, who resurrected the Christian Moerlein brand in 2004 and had served as the company’s CEO until the sale to CinBev.
Jodi Woffington, who served as CMO for CinBev, did not return a request for comment on the sale.