In an effort to better support its west coast craft brands, Pyramid and Portland Brewing, North American Breweries said it hired Robert Rentsch as its new general manager.
In a press statement, NAB CEO Kris Sirchio said the position was created with the specific intent to build the company’s craft business in the Pacific Northwest. NAB also makes and manages brands like Genesee, Magic Hat and Labatt Blue, among others.
“There is great history behind Pyramid and the Portland Brewing Company,” he said in the statement. “We’ve made a number of changes to our structure and management to better support the breweries and local brands. Robert will help lead a community-based approach that will help us build on the brands’ legacies as pioneers in the craft beer industry.”
Rentsch, a 20-year alcohol industry veteran who spent the last five years with Craft Brew Alliance as a senior director, previously oversaw Redhook, Widmer, Kona and Omission brand ambassadors. At CBA, he provided strategic direction for the nationally positioned Kona and Omission brands and had a hand in the turnaround of rival Pacific Northwest brands, Redhook and Widmer.
“Robert has proven his ability to successfully grow brands and build a portfolio in the craft beer industry,” Sirchio said in a statement. “He is a strong, collaborative leader who can grow our business, connect our people and help us to create a new culture at North American Breweries. We are looking forward to Robert joining our company and our executive leadership team.”
Rentsch, who lives in Portland Oregon, will work out of the Portland Brewery and Taproom, the company said.
NAB volume sales were down 2.1 percent through August 9, according to market research firm IRI Worldwide.