CHICAGO and DETROIT — Tenth and Blake Beer Co., a U.S. craft division of Molson Coors Beverage Co., will acquire Detroit-based Atwater Brewery.
This is the latest of many changes for Molson Coors, which announced a revitalization plan in October that included restructuring, changing its name and cutting up to 500 jobs. Since then, the beverage company has acquired a stake in a nonalcohol company (L.A. Libations) and stopped production at its Irwindale, Calif., brewery.
Atwater Brewery is known in the Michigan craft beer community for its traditional German-style lagers and unique ales. Tenth and Blake’s capital and brewing expertise will help Atwater grow, said Atwater Brewery owner Mark Rieth.
The brewery started in 1997, and its top-selling beers include Dirty Blond and Vanilla Java Porter. The brewer also produces hard seltzers and craft spirits, and it operates three tap house and biergarten locations in Michigan. The acquisition is expected to close in a couple of months, the companies said in the Jan. 22 announcement.
“Atwater has been a staple and a leader in the Michigan craft community for more than two decades, and we’re thrilled to have them join Tenth and Blake,” said Paul Verdu, vice president of Tenth and Blake. “Our priority is to make sure their beer is enjoyed by consumers throughout their core markets and eventually across the Great Lakes region.”
Chicago-based Tenth and Blake’s portfolio includes craft beers such as the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., AC Golden Brewing Co., Saint Archer Brewing Co., Terrapin Beer Co., Hop Valley Brewing Co. and Revolver Brewing.
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