CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective, one of the leading brewing groups in the United States with sales of about 350,000 bbls (410,000 hl) in 2017, is losing its CEO after only half a year. David Pillsbury, who joined CANarchy from outside the industry, was offered his “dream job in the golfing industry and decided to follow his passion back into that field,” according to Chad Melis, spokesman of the group.
As a consequence CANarchy, which is majority owned by Boston private equity firm Fireman Capital Partners, has promoted Matt Fraser, current chief operating officer, who joined what is now CANarchy in July 2015 as chief financial officer to the role of president. The group is reportedly not seeking a new CEO.
“Matt’s been an integral part of the forward momentum and progress that has been made over the last year, especially the last few months. This positive momentum will continue with Matt at the helm, together with support from our CANarchy leadership – industry veterans Chris Russell, VP CANarchy Sales, and Patrick Daugherty, CANarchy Chief Marketing Officer, as well as our individual brewery leaders,” Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis, was quoted in a press release.
Oskar Blues Brewing Holding was renamed to CANarchy Craft Brewery Collective in November last year to reflect better the unique properties of its breweries. (inside.beer, 29.11.2017)
The group claims to be “the largest supplier of independent craft beer in a can.” In 2017, Cigar City Brewing’s Jai Alai IPA and Oskar Blues’ Dale’s Pale Ale led CANarchy as the #1 and #2 craft can six-packs sold in the nation. The portfolio of CANarchy’s craft breweries include Oskar Blues Brewery, Cigar City Brewing, Perrin Brewing, Squatters Craft Beer and Wasatch Brewery.
