Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) and Anheuser-Busch have announced a series of new commercial agreements that will expand and strengthen their long-term relationship and create new growth opportunities for both companies.
The agreements will support continued distribution growth, brewery optimisation and international expansion for CBA’s portfolio. They include an amended and extended master distribution agreement through 2028, a new contract brewing arrangement that will transition up to 300,000 barrels of volume into Anheuser-Busch’s breweries, and a new international distribution agreement to support the expansion of CBA’s portfolio of brands.
Anheuser-Busch will provide additional support and committed resources to accelerate CBA’s growth strategy, which includes strengthening its distinctive portfolio of craft brands; maximising the potential of Kona Brewing Co as one of the fastest-growing American craft brands; and optimising CBA’s brewing footprint to drive gross margin expansion and deliver its craft beers to more consumers both in the US and around the world.
Commenting on the new agreements, Andy Thomas, CEO of CBA, said: “We are proud of our long-standing relationship with AB and have always been candid about the competitive advantage of our distribution arrangement, which allows CBA to independently manage our brands and still enjoy the benefits of being a valued part of AB’s exceptional wholesaler network.
“As both of our companies evolved over the past 18 months, it became clear that our strategic focus and commitment to the growth of craft beer were increasingly more aligned, and we started to explore ways to collaborate more closely. We’re excited to build on this partnership and look forward to the financial and operational benefits, which will positively impact our top and bottom line.”
Felipe Szpigel, president of The High End for Anheuser-Busch, added: “We have deep respect for CBA and these agreements represent a natural progression of our relationship with them. As a company, we believe in brewing amazing beers and elevating the sophistication of beer and the category as a whole. CBA shares these beliefs and today’s announcement will help bring CBA’s impressive portfolio of craft brands to more beer lovers in the US and around the world. We will support the growth of CBA’s brands and create new opportunities for both companies through our unparalleled network of US wholesaler partners, dedication to quality through our industry-leading breweries and international reach.”
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