Molson Coors to acquire spirits producer Blue Run

Molson Coors Beverage Company has reached an agreement to acquire Blue Run, a spirits producer of bourbon and rye whiskies. The deal is another step in the brand’s revolution as a total beverage company.

Based in Georgetown, Kentucky, Blue Run launched in October 2020, gaining international acclaim among whiskey experts. As Molson Coors’ first spirits acquisition, the addition of Blue Run is hoped to boost the company’s presence in the spirits industry as it evolves from its history as a beer company.

Blue Run is currently available in 31 states across the US through retail and on-premise accounts. In March 2023, the brand announced plans to build a distillery in Kentucky. 

Chief Commercial Officer at Molson Coors, Michelle St. Jacques, commented: “Molson Coors has been on a journey to broaden beyond our beer roots and build powerful brands in growing categories, and Blue Run joining us is an exciting next step as we establish Coors Spirits Co. Blue Run has accomplished in three years what many brands hope to do in a generation and has done it at the luxury end of the whiskey category. Importantly, we are committed to maintaining Blue Run’s well-known quality, design and innovation as we continue to grow our spirits portfolio.” 

Blue Run’s founders will remain at the brand, with one of its co-founders, Mike Montgomery, to take on an expanded role with Molson Coors as vice president of Coors Spirits Co. Jim Rutledge, a Bourbon Hall of Famer, will continue as distillery consultant.

Commenting on the acquisition, Montgomery added: “Since launching Blue Run, we have always strived to do things a little differently to truly embrace today’s younger, more diverse generation of whiskey drinkers. We are humbled by how the whiskey community has embraced our vision and that Molson Coors wants to join and support us in this journey.”

Blue Run was represented by Samos Capital of Southlake, TX in the transaction and is legally represented by Foley and Lardner LLP of Milwaukee and Kaplan, Johnson, Abate and Bird LLP of Louisville, in addition to being supported by Joseph Goode and Cody Matthews of Truist Bank of Charlotte, NC. Molson Coors was legally represented by Quarles and Brady LLP of Milwaukee.

8 August 2023 - Bradley Weir