Monster Energy buys Oskar Blues, other CANarchy brands for $330 million – Orange County Register

Monster Beverage Corp. Corona-based beverage maker Monster Energy is acquiring Colorado’s Oskar Blues Brewery and several other brewing brands, as it forays into the alcoholic beverage space for the first time.

According to a notification Thursday, Monster agreed to buy CANarchy Brewery Collective, which includes Oskar Blues, Florida’s Cigar City Brewing Co., Dallas’ Deep Ellum Brewing Co., Michigan’s Perrin Brewing Co., Utah’s Squatters and Wasatch.

The $330 million cash deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022 and does not include CANarchy’s independent restaurants. CANarchy will operate independently, keeping its own organizational structure and team, led by current CEO Tony Short, according to the announcement.

“This transaction provides us with a springboard from which to enter the alcoholic beverage sector,” said Hilton Schlosberg, Monster’s vice president and co-CEO. “The acquisition will give us the full infrastructure in place, including people, distribution and licensing, along with alcoholic beverage development expertise and manufacturing capabilities in this industry.”

Representatives for CANarchy and Oskar Blues were not immediately available for comment. In a statement, Short said he was “delighted” to be joining Monster’s team.

“We look forward to leveraging the combined expertise of Monster and CANarchy to further enhance our existing alcoholic products, expanding our product portfolio to meet the ever-changing needs of consumers. customers and grow our business,” he said.

This is just the latest big-name beer merger in Colorado. In November, the parent company of New Belgium Brewing Co. announced that they will acquires Bell’s Brewery in Michigan, combining two great powers in the beer industry.