Reyes’ appetite for acquisitions, especially in California, has yet to be satiated. The largest beer wholesaler in the U.S. today announced an agreement to acquire a large share of Classic Beverage’s beer portfolio in Southern California.
Although financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the transaction is expected to close on November 12.
As part of the deal, Reyes’ Harbor Distributing subsidiary will add 6.8 million cases and about 6,000 customers from Classic. Suppliers included in the deal include Molson Coors, White Claw and Mike’s maker Mark Anthony Brands, Boston Beer Company, Heineken USA, Lagunitas, Firestone Walker, Pabst and Sierra Nevada.
In a twist, Classic Beverage will take on the brand rights of Coronado Brewing Company, Golden State Cider, Shiner maker Gambrinus and Rogue Brewing from Reyes’ Harbor and Crest Beverage subsidiaries.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our RBD West brand portfolio with suppliers from Classic Beverage,” Reyes Beer Division CEO Tom Day said in a press release. “This transaction builds on our over 30-year record of significant investment and job creation throughout the state, and we look forward to growing our family-owned business and creating more well-paying jobs in Southern California. We continue to remain deeply committed to delivering on our company’s purpose of connecting customers, consumers and brands every day, everywhere we operate with our 3,500 employees throughout the state.”
As for Classic, president CJ Sanchez said the wholesaler looks “forward to strengthening our business and core focus on unique craft and import beers, as well as non-alcoholic brands” in Southern California.
“This transaction will better position us, our team and our suppliers for continued success, but will also allow our suppliers transitioning to Harbor Distributing to work with another family-run company,” Sanchez added.
The move comes about a year after Classic acquired the Los Angeles and San Diego wholesaler divisions from Sheehan Family Companies.
Reyes’ Harbor Distributing sells about 41 million cases to 11,700 customers annually.
Since its 2019 acquisition of DBI (now Reyes’ Golden Brands), the Reyes Beer Division has made more than a dozen acquisitions of wholesaler operations in California, as well as the acquisitions of portfolios of suppliers such as Constellation Brands, New Belgium and Diageo.