Multi-state Pacific Northwest wholesalers Craig Stein Beverage (CSB) and the Odom Corporation have announced an impending merger of their businesses in parts of Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
The deal, announced last week, will combine Odom’s territory in eastern Washington and northern Idaho with CSB’s territory in southern Idaho, eastern Oregon and southwestern Washington. This merger will mark the second time these companies have partnered in recent years, following the launch of a joint venture, NW Beverages in Kent, Washington, in 2017.
“We are proud to announce a merger between the Odom Corporation and CSB. These two companies have been working together for many years at NW Beverages,” Craig Stein said in a press release. “This venture has gone very well and it only makes sense to continue our relationship into the future.”
It is not yet known when the merger will take effect or what brands will be included.
NW Beverages serves western Washington and sells a craft-centric beer portfolio that includes offerings from national brands (Stone, Founders, Oskar Blues), regional craft breweries (pFriem, Bale Breaker, Breakside, Pelican), imports (Bitburger, Schöfferhofer, Weihenstephan) and cideries (Yonder, Locust, Incline). The distributor also sells wine, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
CSB and Odom’s new venture will carry beer and non-alcoholic beverages, according to the release.
“This is an exciting step forward in solidifying the future of these two outstanding family-owned Pacific Northwest companies,” Odom president Adam Hilpert and CSB president Dennis McAuliff wrote in the release. “Additionally, there are no anticipated changes that will impact employees’ current roles and responsibilities, rather the merger will provide a larger organization with expanded opportunities for growth and development.”
CSB’s portfolio includes global producers (Molson Coors, Stone, Heineken), national craft brewers (Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, Stone, Oskar Blues, Firestone Walker, Founders) and regional craft brewers (Pelican, pFriem, Crux, GoodLife, Breakside).
Odom’s portfolio varies by market, and includes Molson Coors, Heineken, Constellation Brands, Mark Anthony Brands, Boston Beer, Sierra Nevada and Stone, and regional craft breweries, including Alaskan, Bale Breaker, Big Sky, No-Li and Uinta.
Last year, Odom acquired AB ONE Hawaii, Anheuser-Busch InBev’s wholly owned distributor in that state. In addition to Hawaii, Washington and Idaho, Odom also operates in Alaska and Oregon.
“We have great respect for CSB Beverages and look forward to joining our combined network throughout Washington and Idaho,” John Odom said in the release. “CSB Beverages have enjoyed a partnership at NW Beverages over the past five years and expects this new alignment of territories will provide additional resources for both Odom and CSB to continued growth in the beverage industry.”