Kona Brewing Company, best known nationally for their three craft brews, Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale, and Wailua Wheat Ale (as well as lesser known Big Wave Golden Ale and Pipeline Porter), has taken their 9 year partnership with Craft Brewers Alliance to the next level. They are now recognized as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. Craft Brewers Alliance brands also include Red Hook, Widmer, and Goose Island Beer Company. CBA was named as the eighth largest U.S. brewer, based on domestic shipments in 2009. Craft Brewers Alliance is paying 13.9 Million for the acquisition of Kona Brewing Company. Continue Reading »

The rumors that have been buzzing around the craft beer industry about the pending acquisition of Magic Hat Brewing Company and its parent company have officially been confirmed. Today, KPS Capital Partners, LP announced that its portfolio company North American Breweries, Inc. (NAB) has acquired Independent Brewers United, Inc. (IBU) through an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary. IBU produces, markets and sells the complete line of the Pyramid, Magic Hat and MacTarnahan’s brand families of beer.

The acquisition is the fourth by NAB since its formation in February of 2009. The first was Labatt USA, followed by High Falls Brewing Company, LLC (brewer of the Genesee, Honey Brown and Dundee family of beers), and Seagram’s Escapes and Seagram’s Smooth brands. Continue Reading »