USA: Constellation Brands buys third craft brewer

Constellation Brands, Inc. announced today its purchase of Four Corners Brewing located in Dallas, Texas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. It is already the third purchase of a leading craft brewery by the third largest beer company in the United States.

In November 2015 the company already bought Ballast Point Brewing in a $1 billion all cash deal. In August 2017, followed the next deal with the acquisition of  Funky Buddha Brewery, Florida’s fastest growing craft brewery (inside.beer, 10.8.2017)

Grounded in Texas roots and heritage, Four Corners Brewing brews beers which are well received in the Hispanic and American society as well. With flagship brands like Local Buzz Honey-Rye Golden Ale and El Chingón IPA, Four Corners will join Constellation’s Craft & Specialty Beer Group.

Four Corners was founded in 2012 by longtime friends George Esquivel, Greg Leftwich and Steve Porcari, who set out to create a Dallas brewery that would elevate their hometown and revitalize their city’s neighborhoods. Four Corners brews an entire portfolio of authentic, delicious and sessionable beers accompanied by one-of-a-kind branding inspired by their Oak Cliff roots. Four Corners’ standard of brewing will remain unchanged because the existing management team made up of Esquivel, Leftwich and Porcari, along with their current employees, will continue delivering the same innovative and fresh flavors consumers enjoy today.

“We like to say that Four Corners Brewing is our collective beer journey, and partnering with Constellation continues that journey by opening amazing possibilities of where our brand and company can go,”said Four Corners co-founder George Esquivel. “We’re proud Texas brewers, and we’ve always had intent of sharing our brews and our story with as many people as possible. We know Constellation Brands is the right partner to help us do that.”

Sales have grown five-fold since 2014, and the brewery expanded capacity from 8,000 barrels in 2016 to 25,000 barrels in 2017. Four Corners has won multiple local awards in their short history for both brewing and branding. Most notably, the Four Corners team won D Magazine’s 2015 Editors’ Choice Award for Best Brewery. The brewery was also awarded top honors from The Dallas Society of Visual Communications in 2015 winning gold for packaging design and gold for Judge’s Choice.

“Four Corners brings a culture that mixes adventure and innovation with elements of heritage and tradition,” said President and Chief Operating Officer Bill Newlands, Constellation Brands. “It’s a compelling opportunity for Constellation because Four Corners’ bicultural inspired flavors and branding capitalize on one of the hottest trends in beer – Hispanic influenced products. George, Greg and Steve have created beers that are big on flavor, refreshing and pair well with bold Texas cuisine, while creating a brand that embraces and reflects the diversity of its people. We’re excited to help them take the brand further.”

Constellation Brands and Four Corners’ team of employees will work together, with its co-founders, running the day-to-day operations.

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