AB InBev continues to buy up brands that appeal to modern consumers.
AB InBev has announced its purchase of Boathouse Beverage LLC., which produces the SpikedSeltzer brand of hard flavored seltzers, a category on the rise. SpikedSeltzer will be the first non-malt flavored alcohol beverage to join The High End, Anheuser-Busch’s business unit of craft and import brands.
SpikedSeltzer is a naturally cold fermented, low-carb, gluten-free alcohol beverage with six percent alcohol by volume that is made from purified water. Founded in 2013, SpikedSeltzer has grown from five gallon batches to more than 500,000 case equivalents and is now distributed in 14 states, the company says in a press release.
“This partnership with The High End is an exciting next step for SpikedSeltzer and for the category, as we begin to build out this novel drink together,” says Nick Shields, founder and brewer, SpikedSeltzer. “Through the work of our small-but-mighty team, we’ve been able to build a loyal following throughout the Northeast and beyond. Working with The High End will allow us to protect what we have built and focus on the part of brewing and building the business that makes this fun for us.”
Production will gradually shift from Boathouse Beverage’s current production partners – North American Breweries and Blues City Brewery – to Anheuser-Busch’s Baldwinsville Brewery.
First Beverage Group acted as the financial advisor to SpikedSeltzer and Spencer Fane LLP provided legal counsel.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
[…] SpikedSeltzer is a lightly carbonated alcoholic beverage that tastes like flavored sparkling water. It’s 6% ABV, gluten-free and has only five grams of carbs. The brand was acquired by AB InBev last fall. […]