Firestone Walker Sells Nectar Ales To Total Beverage Solution
Paso Robles, CA—Firestone Walker Brewing Company today announced that it has agreed to sell its Nectar Ales brand of beers to Total Beverage Solution of South Carolina.
“It is sad to let these beers go, but production and operational demands will require us to focus on our core line of Firestone beers in the years ahead,” said co-proprietor Adam Firestone.
Added co-proprietor David Walker, “Nectar Ales was always a labor of love and our nod to keeping a pioneer of the California craft revolution healthy. It’s now time, however, for this iconic family of beers to become something more than we are able to provide.”
Nectar Ales was established in 1987 in Humboldt County, California by the Humboldt Brewing Company. When production issues forced the small brewer to seek out a partner, Firestone Walker Brewing Company stepped up in 2003 and formally acquired the Nectar Ales brand in 2005.
Since then, Nectar Ales has been revitalized, earning numerous awards and accolades, including a gold medal in the American-style amber ale category at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival for its Red Nectar Ale; first place at the San Diego County Fair in 2009 for its Nectar IPA; and a silver medal at the 2009 California State Fair for its Hemp Ale. Firestone Walker also brought its oak barrel brewing expertise to Nectar Ales, creating the acclaimed Black Xantus barrel-aged imperial stout.
“We are excited to purchase this fine brand from Firestone Walker and hope to build on the success they enjoyed while owning the brand,” said Dave Pardus, CEO and president of Total Beverage Solution.
First Beverage Financial acted as exclusive financial advisor to Firestone Walker in this transaction.
“This was a bittersweet decision for us, but ultimately one that is best in the long term for both Nectar Ales and our own Firestone beers,” Walker said.
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Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery founded in 1996 and located in the Paso Robles wine country on California’s Central Coast. The brewery specializes in iconic pale ales and vintage barrel-aged beers. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was awarded Mid-Sized Brewery of The Year honors at the 2003, 2007 and 2011 Great American Beer Festivals® as well as Champion Mid-Sized Brewery honors at the 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2012 World Beer Cup® competitions.
Total Beverage Solution, based in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is responsible for bringing some of the world’s most unique wine, beer, and spirits to the U.S. market. The company specializes in building awareness of brands that have established market presence, but are under the radar of many large multi-nationals. Founded in 2002, the company’s portfolio includes such brands as Germany’s Weihenstephan Beer – the world’s oldest brewery; Birra Moretti, The Beer in Italy; Tohu Wines from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, the only Maori-owned wine company; and Edradour Distillery – Scotland’s smallest distillery.
