Colorado craft acquisitions abound and Brewbound Insiders are getting all the details about two of the latest. Expanding craft beverage and hospitality platform Wilding Brands snapped up Denver’s Station 26 Brewing last week. Durango-based Ska Brewing changed hands after 30 years to new owners from the middle tier.

The Insider edition of the Brewbound newsletter also features a closer look at California’s shifting spirits distribution landscape after RNDC’s announced exit, and an explainer about how the spending bill working its way through Congress could affect the intoxicating hemp industry.

Insiders are also revisiting Brewbound’s exclusive Week In Beer newsletter, which summarizes the week’s news with GIFs and (hopefully) some laughs. 

Insiders also have access to the Brewbound Newsletter Archive, including previous newsletter-exclusive Insider content.

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Wilding Brands, the Colorado-based craft beverage and hospitality platform, has expanded again with the acquisition of Denver’s Station 26 Brewery, the companies announced this week.

Station 26 founder Justin Baccary will remain in his role leading the brewery as it joins the collective, which also includes Stem Ciders, Denver Beer Co. and Great Divide, among other brands. 

Wilding chief development officer Charlie Berger said in a press release: “Justin has built a strong community around Station 26 and the quality speaks for itself. His vision perfectly aligns with what we’re building at Wilding: A new chapter in Colorado craft brewing based on quality and locality across an amazing variety of the best craft beverages and hospitality experiences in Colorado. 

“We’re honored to bring Station 26 into the family and have Justin join the team.”

Station 26 will remain with Eagle Rock Distributing, Baccary told Brewbound. 

Insiders can read more about the latest acquisition here. 

Yet another legacy Colorado craft brewery is changing hands.

Durango-headquartered Ska Brewing was acquired in May by two families with ties to beer distribution, including Bob Ariano, who owns A&L Coors Distribution, the Durango Herald reported.

A sale price to the Ariano and West families was not disclosed, however, the sale reportedly wiped out Ska Brewing’s debt.

Insiders can read more about the path forward for Ska, past moves scuttled by the pandemic and how the company fared last year.

Nosotros Tequila and Mezcal was one of the largest self-distributed brands in California before it nabbed a statewide distribution partnership with RNDC in 2022. But after RNDC shuttered its California operations last week, the agave spirits brand joins hundreds of other suppliers scrambling for a new distribution partner.

Nosotros CEO Carlos Soto said: “As you can imagine, [there are] a lot of decisions ahead. We’ll lean into our internal structure to navigate this, and make sure all of our partner restaurants, hotels, chains and bars continue to receive the top level service they’re used to when dealing with Nosotros.”

While soon-to-be former RNDC suppliers plot their next move in the state, what will be the impact of the distributor’s exit on independent spirits and RTD brands in California, and beyond?

Insiders can go deeper into the story, including spirits producers’ shift to beer distributors, next steps for brands and insights from middle-tier experts such as Pints LLC.

BevNET Live NYC week is finally here. Our colleagues at BevNET have put together a stellar summer program, featuring leaders from Olipop, Liquid Death, Chobani, Polar, Little Saints, Live Nation, Ghost, Circle K, Theory Wellness and more. 

If you can’t make it to New York, watch along June 11 and 12 at BevNET.com.

Also this week, expect a fresh episode of the Brewbound Podcast featuring an interview with Upslope Brewing founder Matthew Cutter, who recently launched BevBoost, a company that produces food-safe, recyclable widgets that can be inserted into carbonated beverages and unleash fresh flavor compounds, functional ingredients, vitamins and additives such as THC and CBD. Cutter shares how it works, how he’s scaling the business and why he believes this is a game changer for beverage makers.

Merchandise remains an important piece of Rhinegeist Brewery’s business, and the Cincinnati brewery is leveling up under the guidance of merchandise director Jenny Morrissey. 

Morrissey and Rhinegeist VP of marketing Tracey Ireland share the evolution of the company’s merch strategy from “marketing tool” to an individual business unit aimed at forging emotional connections with the brewery’s fans. 

Ahead of the interview, the Brewbound team talks through Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) exit from California. Plus, the trio play Another Round or Tabbing Out on the creation of family-friendly spaces, and Almanac CEO Damian Fagan’s distaste of the word “taproom.” 

Listen here or on your preferred podcasting platform. 

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