Industry Issues
Sunkey Beverage Holdings completes sale of Silver Eagle Beverages
Miami-based Sunkey Beverage Holdings completed its acquisition of Silver Eagle Beverages, a beer and beverage wholesaler, whose distribution territory includes San Antonio, Bexar County and 12 additional counties in southwest Texas. The company will continue to operate as Silver Eagle Beverages.
The company announced that Greg Mitchell will serve as president and Tim Mitchell will serve as CEO of Silver Eagle Beverages.
“We are happy that the acquisition is now complete and look forward to continuing to provide San Antonio and the surrounding southwest Texas-area customers and consumers with the same outstanding products and service they have come to know and expect from Silver Eagle,” said Greg Mitchell, president of Silver Eagle Beverages, in a statement.
With more than 500 employees servicing 13 counties in southwest Texas, Silver Eagle Beverages is one of the largest beer and beverage wholesalers in the country with warehouses in San Antonio and Del Rio and a depot in Carrizo Springs, it says. The Silver Eagle portfolio includes beverages from Anheuser-Busch, Constellation Brands, Mark Anthony Brands Inc., and a variety of domestic and import beers, national and local craft beers, and several non-alcohol beverages and waters.
“We have great appreciation and respect for John Nau’s leadership in the beer industry for the past 40 years. He has positioned this company for growth and success and we look forward to building upon his legacy,” said Tim Mitchell, CEO of Sunkey Beverage Holdings. “We look forward to leading the outstanding group of employees that make up the Silver Eagle team to continue providing excellent service to San Antonio and the surrounding area.” BI
Brewers Association announces retirement of President, CEO Bob Pease
The Brewers Association (BA), the Boulder, Colo.-based not-for-profit trade association dedicated to advocating for small and independent American craft brewers, announced the retirement of president and CEO Bob Pease. After 32 years with the Brewers Association, Pease will step down in early 2025 once his successor is in place.
“After careful consideration, I believe it is time to help this great association transition to new leadership and for me to move on to new endeavors,” Pease stated. “Over the last three decades, I have witnessed the Brewers Association grow from a small, narrowly focused association to one that is now a power player on important issues facing the industry domestically and internationally. Throughout my time at the helm of the Brewers Association, we have helped our members navigate explosive growth and unprecedented challenges. In doing so, we have put the BA on the map as a political force. Representing this iconic community, its brands, and the incredible people who embody passion in their craft has been an absolute honor. I look forward to seeing continued success in the industry.”
Pease joined the Brewers Association in 1993 as a customer service manager and worked his way up to operations director. He was promoted to vice president in 1999, chief operating officer in 2010, and CEO in 2014. During his tenure, he turned around and solidified the organization’s financial standing, from debt servicing to more than $23 million in reserves.
“Bob has been an unwavering advocate for small and independent brewers, and his accomplishments will leave a lasting impact on us all,” said Leah Cheston, owner of Right Proper Brewing Co. and chairperson of the Brewers Association Board of Directors. “He spearheaded the organization during a critical time for the industry, growing the craft beer market share to 13% and supplying countless tools to help the craft brewing community thrive, from professional resources and tax savings, to hosting world-class events.”
In 2015 and 2020, BrewboundOpens in new window named Pease the “Beer Industry Person of the Year,” and since 2018, The HillOpens in new window has consistently named Pease one of the top lobbyists in Washington, D.C.
“We thank Bob for his steadfast leadership and look forward to partnering with him to ensure a smooth transition and search for his successor,” Cheston said.
The board has retained Kittleman & Associates to lead the search for Pease’s replacement. BI
Family-owned Bronco Wine Co., which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, has signed an expanded strategic distribution agreement with Republic National Distributing Co. (RNDC), one of the nation’s leading wholesale beverage alcohol distributors, to enhance the availability of its diverse portfolio of wines across the United States. The new agreement takes effect July 1, 2024. “We are thrilled to expand our partnership with RNDC as it will help us fulfill our mission to provide consumers with exceptional wines at affordable prices,” said Dan Leonard, the President and CEO of Bronco Wine Co., in a statement. “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary and our enduring legacy of producing outstanding wines, this partnership is a significant milestone that will help us reach new heights.” The strategic partnership with RNDC will significantly expand the distribution of Bronco Wine Co.’s brands in 20 states, including Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas and Washington.
Armada, Mich.-based Blake’s Beverage Co., the collaborative voice of three leading cider brands, Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders and AVID Cider Co., announced the newest addition to its team, Ryan Burk as vice president of quality and innovation. Burk established his career as a prominent cider maker at Virtue Cider in Michigan before joining Angry Orchard, where he led research, development, and experimentation at its cider house in Walden, N.Y. He left Angry Orchard in 2022 to pursue his own endeavors, including co-founding Feel Goods Co., an innovative brand and pipeline development studio for craft beverages, and Occam Cider Co., a boutique cider label. As a dedicated industry advocate, he has served on the board of The American Cider Association and was a founding board member and current President of The Cider Institute of North America. “It’s been a passion of mine to bring cider to life at the table. I am incredibly excited to join the team at Blake’s Beverage Co. Their dedication to innovation and excellence is driving the cider category,” Burk said in a statement. “I look forward to growing alongside Blake’s strong leadership and strategic vision as we craft what cider can be.” Burk will play a crucial role in driving innovation, maintaining the highest standards of quality, and fostering continuous improvement at Blake’s Beverage Company. Leveraging his expertise in cider making, brand development, and quality assurance, Burk will spearhead efforts to introduce new bold flavors and fresh ingredients to Blake’s lineup.
Main Squeeze Juice Co., New Orleans, appointed Jennifer Dodd as the company’s CEO. Dodd is a seasoned franchise executive with a remarkable track record in driving strategic growth and delivering exceptional shareholder value. With more than 30 years of experience in franchising across various sectors, Dodd has led significant expansions and new market entries for multiple franchise companies in North America and globally. Her notable achievements include executing the successful brand redesign of The Melting Pot, spearheading innovative growth for Tim Hortons’ U.S. franchise development and leading high growth market expansion for Dunkin Brands, as well as Applebee’s International. Under Dodd’s leadership, Main Squeeze Juice Co. plans to aggressively expand its consumer base and pique franchisees’ interest in their plant-forward menu that specializes in raw cold-pressed juices, craveable and good-for-you smoothies, and bowls. “Our franchisees are essential to our growth strategy,” Dodd stated. “We offer an unparalleled opportunity for those looking to invest in a brand that prioritizes both health and innovation in the dynamic healthy nutrition market.”
Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, announced a $7 million investment in its Fairfield brewery for capital infrastructure projects that support ongoing improvements at the facility, including updates to the brewery’s roofing, equipment overhauls, new lighting, and other structural repairs. “These investments in our Fairfield brewery strengthen capabilities across our entire business to ensure our northern California facility continues to brew the great-tasting, high-quality products that have satisfied drinkers for generations,” said Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, in a statement. The Fairfield brewery brews more than 20 of Anheuser-Busch’s industry-leading brands and boasts a 99% recycling rate. This $7 million investment will go toward facility structural repairs and updates to ensure the brewery continues to brew, package, and distribute Anheuser-Busch beer in the highest quality and most efficient way possible.