Californian craft brewer Heretic Brewery & Distillery has been snapped up by local peer Calicraft Brewing Company.
Financial terms of the deal, which closed on 5 August, were not disclosed.
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Calicraft told Just Drinks that the brewer was sold by an unnamed banking group which held ownership in the group through a private-equity fund.
The deal is Calicraft’s first acquisition.
In a statement, the Walnut Creek-based brewer said it had bought “all operating assets of Heretic”, including its brewery and taproom both situated in Fairfield, California. It marks the group’s first acquisition
Calicraft said it would “continue to provide service and products previously offered by Heretic.”
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By GlobalDataIt added that the move would help to boost its “overall in-house brewing capacity, allowing for greater production and distribution of [its] popular craft beers”.
The group also told Just Drinks that the purchase would enable it “to expand into categories outside of beer (spirits and wine) as well as double down on our taproom business.”
Commenting on the deal, Blaine Landberg, founder & CEO of Calicraft, said: “This acquisition aligns with our visions to expand our taprooms and provide an exceptional craft beer experience to our customers.
“Heretic’s dedication to quality and innovation mirrors our own, and we look forward to brewing great beer together.”
Both brewers had partnered on production in the past, collaborating on NPD such as the Evil Co. triple IPA which Heretic and Calicraft launched in the US market in 2023.
Set up in 2010, Heretic produces a range of beers under its namesake label, including Heretic IPA, Shallow Grave porter and Travis pilsner. It also produces a range of spirits RTDs such as a hard tea and Heretic mule, as well as rum, gin and a whiskey series in 200ml and 750ml bottle formats.
The business has partnerships with 20 distributors across the US, including Atlantic Beverage, Freedom Beverage and Heartland Beverage. It also sells to Korea, Japan, Thailand and Malaysia.
Founded in 2012, Calicraft produces a range of craft beers such as the Oaktown brown ale, Coast Kolsch style ale, Gold Star premium lager and Cool Kidz IPAs. It also makes cider under the Bloom brand.
Its products are sold at its taproom in Walnut Creek and throughout California and Arizona via a distribution partnership with Reyes Beverage Group. It is sold in these regions through major and independent grocery stores such as Safeway and Costco, and the on-trade. It also exports small volumes to South Korea and China.
