MillerCoors subsidiary acquires cider maker

Tenth and Blake Beer Company, the craft and import division of MillerCoors, has purchased Minneapolis-based hard cider producer Crispin Cider Company to meet the increasing demand for the fermented apple drink.

The deal includes Crispin’s affiliate, Fox Barrel Cider Company, which makes pear ciders using fermented unpasteurized fresh-pressed pear juice. Crispin will be run as an independent division of Tenth and Blake.

Crispin produces European-style hard apple ciders using fermented unpasteurized fresh-pressed apple juice in Original, Light and Brut varietals, and additional unfiltered Artisanal Reserves.

Crispin CEO Joe Heron said the company will continue to create ciders in its Colfax cidery and will maintain its own go-to-market execution.

Tenth and Blake President and CEO Tom Cardella said the company’s vision is to accelerate its portfolio expansion within the world’s most exciting beer market.

The Tenth and Blake family of breweries includes Blue Moon Brewing, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing, 10th Street Brewery, AC Golden in Golden, Birra Peroni and Plzenský Prazdroj (Pilsner Urquell).

The company’s portfolio includes Blue Moon Belgian White, Leinenkugel’s Honey Weiss, George Killian’s Irish Red, Batch 19, Henry Weinhard’s IPA, Colorado Native, Pilsner Urquell, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Grolsch.

Tags: M&A in beer industry, Molson Coors, SABMiller

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