Molson Coors Beverage Company has entered into an agreement to purchase Blue Run Spirits, a producer of bourbon and rye whiskey.
This purchase marks another step in Molson Coors’ evolution into a comprehensive beverage enterprise. The acquisition empowers Blue Run Spirits with the essential resources to sustain its expansion. Currently accessible in 31 U.S. states, Blue Run is present in both retail and on-premise establishments across the country, as well as online.
Situated in Georgetown, Kentucky, Blue Run stands as a recent entrant to the whiskey industry, making its debut in the market in October 2020. This agreement signifies Molson Coors’ inaugural venture into the realm of spirits acquisitions.
According to Molson Coors, the acquisition of Blue Run boosts the company’s footprint in the spirits sector, “as it continues to evolve from its storied history as a beer company and premiumise its portfolio”.
Concurrently, Molson Coors has introduced Coors Spirits Co, an extension of its current spirits enterprise. This new entity will encompass Blue Run, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon, as well as upcoming innovative offerings. The agreement is projected to significantly increase the scale of Molson Coors’ spirits segment, surpassing twofold, and thus bolstering the company’s strategy of enhancing premium products.
Molson Coors’ chief commercial officer, Michelle St. Jacques, said, “Molson Coors has been on a journey to broaden beyond our beer roots and build powerful brands in growing categories, and Blue Run joining us is an exciting next step as we establish Coors Spirits Co. Blue Run has accomplished in three years what many brands hope to do in a generation and has done it at the luxury end of the whiskey category. Importantly, we are committed to maintaining Blue Run’s well-known quality, design and innovation as we continue to grow our spirits portfolio.”
The founders of Blue Run, namely Mike Montgomery, Tim Sparapani, Jesse McKnight, and Andy Brown, will continue their involvement with the brand.
In March 2023, Blue Run disclosed its plans to construct a distillery in Kentucky, USA. These plans will persist under the Molson Coors umbrella. Furthermore, Blue Run has slated the introduction of three new whiskey offerings for the late summer/autumn timeframe.
The details of the deal were not made public.
