Spain: Mahou San Miguel acquires craft brewer Brutus
Mahou San Miguel, the Spanish beer firm, has announced it has acquired a 70% stake in Madrid-based craft brewer Brutus for an undisclosed sum. The leading Spanish beermaker said Brutus would complement its portfolio and support its premiumisation strategy. Founded in 2015, Brutus is positioned as a “next generation” beer and has been rolled out […]
USA: Pernod Ricard adds bourbon to portfolio with Rabbit Hole deal
Pernod Ricard, the world’s number two wine and spirits firm, has announced it is re-entering the bourbon whiskey space with the acquisition of a majority share in Rabbit Hole, a Lousville, KY whiskey maker. The deal will see Rabbit Hole added to Pernod Ricard’s New Brand Ventures portfolio of speciality brands that includes Smooth Ambler […]
UK: AG Barr takes minority investment in Elegantly Spirited
AG Barr, the UK drinks firm behind the Irn-Bru and Rubicon brands, has announced a minority investment in the start-up alcohol-free spirits business Elegantly Spirited, owner of the Stryyk brand. As part of the minority investment, AG Barr said its Funkin subsidiary has entered into a long-term agreement to act as exclusive UK distributor for […]
UK: Brown-Forman seals agreement for Fords Gin
Brown-Forman, the owner of the Jack Daniel’s whiskey brand, has announced it is strengthening its presence in the crafts spirits space with the acquisition of The 86 Company, the owner of the Fords Gin brand. Distilled in London, Fords Gin is described as a collaboration between Simon Ford and Charles Maxwell of Thames Distillers. Said […]
France: Remy Cointreau to acquire Maison de Cognac JR Brillet
Remy Cointreau, the leading French spirits firm, has announced it is to acquire brandy maker Maison de Cognac JR Brillet and part of its vineyard estate. “Since the beginning of the Brillet family’s history in the 17th century, Maison JR Brillet has built up a vineyard estate and a stock of eaux-de-vie that enables it […]
USA: Boston Beer acquires Dogfish Head
Boston Beer, the owner of the Samuel Adams brand, has announced it has acquired Dogfish Head, a leading craft beer firm, for $300 million. In a press release, the two firms said the merger would create “a powerful American-owned platform for craft beer and beyond”. “The new entity will possess more than half a century […]
USA: Constellation Brands takes majority stake in Nelson’s Green Brier
Constellation Brands, the wine and spirits firm, has announced it has acquired a majority stake in Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, a craft whiskey firm. Co-founded by brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson, Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery produces a variety of whiskeys under the Belle Meade Bourbon brand and is set to release a Tennessee whiskey later […]
USA: Constellation Brands takes minority stake in mezcal firm El Silencio
Constellation Brands, the US wine and spirits firm, has announced it has taken a minority stake in Los Angeles-based mezcal firm El Silencio via its venture capital arm for an undisclosed sum. Available in the varieties Ensamble and Espadin, El Silencio is described as being made using “meticulously picked agaves” which are “roasted, crushed, and […]
Italy: Pernod Ricard acquires gin brand Malfy
Pernod Ricard, the leading wine and spirits firm, has announced it has reached an agreement with US spirits distributor Biggar & Leith for the acquisition of the Italian gin brand Malfy. Malfy is described as a range of gins distilled by the Vergnano family in the Italian region of Moncalieri, and is already present in […]
UK: Lion acquires Magic Rock Brewing
Lion, the Australian food and drinks firm owned by Kirin, has continued its recent spate of acquisitions with the purchase of UK craft beer maker Magic Rock Brewing. Founded in 2011 in Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Magic Rock Brewing produces a range of beers describd as being “inspired by local brewing traditions and the vibrant US craft […]