Squatters/Wasatch Layoffs

Ok, there a bit of misinformation out there regarding the departures of some employees last week. The majority of those who have left the company were in management positions in the brewery. They are the CFO/President, the Director of Sales and the Brewmaster.There were some non-management resignations as well.

To fill the holes left by these individuals - a transition team and consultants from Oskar Blues (Wasatch/Squatters new sister brewery) have been sent to Salt Lake to help reconstruct and delegate new responsibilities to the existing brewery staff. 

There was no house cleaning, but people have left. I trust a press release is imminent with the full story coming soon. I apologize if I've created confusion about the comings and goings at the UBC.

In 2012 Fireman Capitol, a capitol investment company based in Boston, Mass. - invested $35 million and acquired part ownership in the UBC. In May Fireman Capitol bought a majority stake in Colorado's Oskar Blues Brewery.

Oskar Blues currently has two production breweries (Longmont, Co & Brevard, NC) as well as two Colorado brewpubs in Co., and the recently acquired Perrin Brewing out of Michigan. The reason we're talking about Oskar Blues is that it's rumored their larger distribution network will absorb a portion of the Utah management and production positions that were lost here in Salt Lake City.

Since this all went down at the end of last week, official info is spotty - though it was a huge topic of conversation at last Saturday's Utah Beer Festival. *As soon as more info is made available we'll get the word out.

Oskar Blues is Coming

One of the mountain region's most popular breweries has finally set it's sights on Utah. Oskar Blues was founded in 1997 in Lyons, Co and made a huge impact on the craft beer scene with their phenomenally popular Dale's Pale Ale. The brewery was also one of the first craft breweries in America to embrace cans as their primary packaging back in 2002.

In March of 2015 Oskar Blues acquired  Perrin Brewing Co. out Michigan - this acquisition was backed by a significant investments from Fireman Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm that already has significant investments in two Utah-based craft brewers — Wasatch and Squatters, which make up the Utah Brewers Cooperative.

Now that you have an idea of who Oskar Blues is, here's what you really care about. Which of their beers are coming to Utah?  Oskar Blues current standard line up of beer consists of seven labels: Dale's Pale Ale, Mama's Little Yella Pils, Pinner, Old Chub, Old Chub Nitro, Deviant Dale's and G'Knight. It's likely most or all of these will be in the market in the next few months.

These are quality beers from a great brewery, any thoughts on Oskar Blues hitting the market?

Cheers!

Attack of the Squasatch

Squasatch: -noun (skwa-sach)
A joint Venture of Squatters and Wasatch breweries. Produced by the Utah Brewers Cooperative.

Squatters/Wasatch announced yesterday that the two companies have entered into an agreement to merge into one company. The two breweries have had a long relationship through the Utah Brewers Cooperative but the two companies have always been separate.

The two companies have been looking into expanding their already wide distribution network for quite some time and with a new third party investor, their expansion plans will soon come to fruition.

Boston based, Fireman Capital will make a 35 million dollar investment in the combined business. The investment will support further expansion of the Squatters and Wasatch portfolio of craft beers, distribution growth, brand and marketing initiatives, and the continued success and expansion of the complementary brewpub business.

Peter Cole, Founding Partner of Squatters, said, “This investment opens the door to the next level for Squatters and Wasatch, and provides the financial firepower and expertise we need to meet rapidly growing demand for our beer and to reach new markets.

Greg Schirf, the founder of Wasatch Brewery, will continue to manage brewery operations for the company. Joe Lambert, Operating Partner for Squatters since 1996, will continue to oversee the restaurant business. Peter Cole, Jeff Polychronis, Joe Lambert and Greg Schirf will all maintain ownership in the combined company.

Look for regional, Utah based Squatters/Wasatch  breweries to pop up in other states, possibly Texas as part of their regional distribution plan. Wasatch and Squatters beer is sold in 11 states - they have a combined five restaurants and 300 employees.

So, what do you think, is this third party going to benefit and evolve the progressive beer movement we're currently experiencing in Utah? Or do you fear the money will influence changes in the brands we've come to know and love.

Cheers!