Tree House Brewing Secures $7.7 Million Bond from MassDevelopment

Tree House Brewing Secures $7.7 Million Bond from MassDevelopment

MassDevelopment — a public-private economic development agency that works to stimulate economic growth across Massachusetts — has issued a $7.7 million tax-exempt bond on behalf of Landreau Realty, LLC, a real estate entity for Tree House Brewing, to help the company build its new 150,000 barrel brewing facility.

Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Cider Company Sold to French Agricultural Cooperative

Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Cider Company Sold to French Agricultural Cooperative

Two Beers Brewing – and its fast-growing hard cider brand, Seattle Cider Company – have been sold to the Agrial Group, a leading French agri-business cooperative that does business across the beverage, dairy and food industries. Official financial terms were not disclosed. The transaction closed earlier this month, according to Joel VandenBrink, the founder of both companies.

Distribution Roundup: Rhinegeist Hits Boston; Bell’s Announces Texas Distributors

Distribution Roundup: Rhinegeist Hits Boston; Bell’s Announces Texas Distributors

Seven months after it launched its cider brand, Cidergeist, throughout Massachusetts, Cincinnati-based Rhinegeist Brewery this week said it would begin distributing its core beer offerings to the Bay State as well. And Bell’s Brewery today announced formal plans to expand distribution to Texas in 2017, inking agreements with 14 distributors throughout the state.

To Fight Flagship Fatigue, Sierra Nevada will Introduce Pale Ale and Torpedo Line Extensions in 2017

To Fight Flagship Fatigue, Sierra Nevada will Introduce Pale Ale and Torpedo Line Extensions in 2017

Beginning January, 1, 2017, Sierra Nevada will introduce two new core products: The first, Sidecar Orange Pale Ale, is a 5.3 percent pale ale brewed with oranges that the company hopes will generate interest from consumers craving a more fruit-forward drinking experience. A second product, Tropical Torpedo, will also look to capitalize on a growing shift toward citrus and tropical IPA variants.

Heineken USA Establishes Five Points Trading Company

Heineken USA Establishes Five Points Trading Company

In an effort to focus on the development of international Heineken brands, and their integration within the U.S. market, Heineken USA this month announced the creation of Five Points Trading Company. The new venture, aimed at “incubating a range of popular global beers in the U.S.,” will assume importer responsibilities for the Red Stripe, Tiger, Birra Moretti, Affligem, Murphy’s, Prestige, Sagres and Mort Subite brands.

MillerCoors Assumes Blue Moon, Leinenkugel’s Marketing Duties

MillerCoors Assumes Blue Moon, Leinenkugel’s Marketing Duties

MillerCoors yesterday announced plans to transition marketing responsibilities for its two largest craft brands — Blue Moon and Jacob Leinenkugel – away from its Tenth and Blake craft and import division. Tenth and Blake chief Scott Whitley explained the rationale behind the move in an email to distributors yesterday, noting the increased marketing demands needed to grow what he called “powerhouse” brands.

Colorado Consolidation Continues: Breakthru Beverage to Acquire C.R. Goodman

Colorado Consolidation Continues: Breakthru Beverage to Acquire C.R. Goodman

The Colorado beer distribution landscape is consolidating once again, this time with multi-state beer, wine and spirits wholesaler Breakthru Beverage broadening its reach in the state. The company today announced the acquisition of craft and import beer wholesaler C.R. Goodman. Specific financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

After Growing Capacity to 150,000 Barrels, Revolution Opens New Markets

After Growing Capacity to 150,000 Barrels, Revolution Opens New Markets

After completing an $8 million expansion earlier this year, Chicago’s Revolution Brewing is now equipped with 150,000 barrels of capacity. They’ll finish 2016 somewhere around 75,000 barrels or, expressed differently, about half of what it is capable of producing. And with new retail opportunities getting tougher to find in its home state, the company has begun looking elsewhere for growth. That’s why in June, the company quietly launched in Wisconsin with General Beverage. It’s also why it will enter New York City with Manhattan Beer in October.

Arizona Acquisition: Huss Brewing Company Purchases Papago Brewing

Arizona Acquisition: Huss Brewing Company Purchases Papago Brewing

The era of microbrewery consolidation is underway, and latest craft deal to cross the newswire is between a pair of small producers in Arizona. Fast-growing Huss Brewing Company, founded in South Tempe just three years ago by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Leah Huss, today announced its acquisition of the more established Papago Brewing Company, which was founded in 2001 in Scottsdale.

Brewery Leaders to Discuss Increasing Competition, Innovation at Brew Talks Chicago

Brewery Leaders to Discuss Increasing Competition, Innovation at Brew Talks Chicago

Forbidden Root founder Robert Finkel and 5 Rabbit Cervecería founder Andres Araya will discuss the state of innovation in craft brewing and their experiences operating highly-differentiated craft breweries. A second discussion with Donn Bichsel, Revolution Brewing’s director of sales and marketing, will examine current marketplace trends, increasing competition and struggles that mid-size craft regional brewers are facing as they look to scale their brands.

Anheuser-Busch to Acquire SpikedSeltzer

Anheuser-Busch to Acquire SpikedSeltzer

Anheuser-Busch InBev today announced it would acquire fast-growing hard seltzer producer Boathouse Beverage LLC., which makes and markets the SpikedSeltzer brand. A final acquisition price was not disclosed, but Boathouse co-founders Nick Shields and Dave Holmes described the deal as a 100 percent equity purchase.

A-B InBev to Acquire Belgium’s Brouwerij Bosteels

A-B InBev to Acquire Belgium’s Brouwerij Bosteels

Anheuser-Busch InBev has struck another high-end deal, this time purchasing the 225-year-old Belgium-based Brouwerij Bosteels. American financial news and services website TheStreet.com, citing Belgian press reports, pegged the deal at $225 million.