Sam Calagione, Michael Lynton Added to Boston Beer Board of Directors
The Boston Beer Company has added Dogfish Head co-founder Sam Calagione and Snap Inc. (Snapchat) chairman Michael Lynton to the company’s board of directors.
The move comes more than a year after Boston Beer merged with Dogfish Head, a deal that closed in July 2019.
Lynton previously served as chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment from January 2004 to May 2017.
“I am thrilled that Michael is joining our talented Board, and I look forward to benefiting from his extensive experience in innovation and management which spans over thirty years,” Boston Beer founder Jim Koch said in a press release. “I’m equally as excited for Sam to officially join the Board. He has already contributed brewing innovation and knowledge to the company for the past year, and now we can bring that energy and experience into the boardroom.”
Both Calagione and Lynton will serve as Class B directors.
PV Brewing’s Deal for Kona’s Operations in Hawaii Closes
With Anheuser-Busch InBev’s acquisition of Craft Brew Alliance now complete, the sale of Kona Brewing’s operations in Hawaii has also closed, effective October 6, according to SEC filings.
The sale of Kona’s operations in Hawaii to PV Brewing — the investment firm made up of former A-B president Dave Peacock and Overland Park, Kansas-headquartered family office VantEdge Partners — in June was contingent upon the closure of A-B’s purchase of CBA. The deal was also the last hurdle to appeasing federal regulators. The U.S. Department of Justice finally gave its blessing to the transaction in mid-September, citing the divestment of the Kona business in Hawaii as a main stumbling block.
Ex-Sprecher CCO Joins Central Standard Distillery
Former Sprecher Brewing Company chief commercial officer Jim Kanter has joined Milwaukee distillery Central Standard in the same role.
Kanter previously worked for MillerCoors for more than 14 years in various leadership roles, including VP of commercial operations and general manager of Wisconsin.
“Jim brings Central Standard hands-on, real-world experience at the highest level of our industry. He instantly makes us smarter in the sales-and-growth areas of our business,” Central Standard co-founder Evan Hughes said in a press release.
“When we started talking, I realized that growing sales for this dynamic craft distillery at this pivotal time in Central Standard’s growth trajectory was not only an incredible opportunity, it would be a dream job for me,” Kanter added in the release.
TTB Due Date for Quarterly Filers Next Week; Head of Formulation Selected
The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) reminded alcohol industry members who file tax returns quarterly that the next due date is Wednesday, October 14.
The TTB added that those unable to pay their taxes may qualify under the Internal Revenue Code for an installment agreement, extension or offer in compromise. The TTB urged industry members to file all required federal excise tax returns even if they cannot pay the full amount in order to minimize penalties and interest.
Additionally, the TTB has appointed Michael Warren as the new assistant director for formulation in the Alcohol Labeling and Formulation Division.
Jackie O’s Takes Over Former Elevator Brewing Location
Athens, Ohio-based Jackie O’s Brewery has acquired the former Elevator Brewing Company space in downtown Columbus. The company will take over the 5,800 sq. ft. facility, with a 15-barrel brewhouse.
The company plans to establish a carryout business at a neighboring property (171 North Fourth Street), offer beer-to-go and merchandise sales, while a renovation project begins on the former Elevator space with an eye on opening in 2021.
“This is something we’ve been dreaming about for years,” Jackie O’s owner Art Oestrike said in a media release. “We are excited it’s finally becoming a reality and can’t wait to bring Jackie O’s to our supportive customers in the Columbus community.”
Elevator Brewing was listed for sale in June for $750,000, according to Columbus Underground.
GoPuff Raises $380 Million
Philadelphia-headquartered GoPuff, essentially an on-demand delivery service for products ranging from snacks to alcohol, recently completed a $380 million funding round that takes the company’s valuation to $3.9 billion, TechCrunch reported.
The funding round was led by Accel and D1 Capital Partners, with additional investment from Luxor Capital and SoftBank Vision Fund.