Search
Close this search box.

Anheuser-Busch Acquires Craft Whiskey Outfit Cutwater Spirits

Cutwater Spirits, out of San Diego, California, is an up and coming distillery known for, among other things, its American whiskey and bourbon. Once a division of Ballast Point Brewing known as Ballast Point Spirits, Cutwater was spun off on its own after Ballast was acquired for a very hefty sum by Constellation Brands back in 2015. Now, in an interesting twist of fate, the spirits makers once again find themselves owned by a beer maker, this time in the form of Anheuser-Busch.

The acquisition of Cutwater Spirits by Anheuser-Busch is said to be the beer giant’s first foray into the spirits world. As reported by Brewhound, the thinking behind scooping up this distillery was that Anheuser-Busch wanted “to be sure we are present where all consumers are. That includes adjacencies within beer, and different segments that are emerging.” Thus bringing Cutwater into its fold makes sense.

Cutwater Spirits Devil's Share American Whiskey
Cutwater Spirits Devil’s Share American Whiskey (image via Cutwater Spirts)

“We’re excited to welcome the Cutwater Spirits team to the Anheuser-Busch family,” said Marina Hahn, New Business Co-Founder, Anheuser-Busch, in a prepared statement. “We have tremendous respect for the brand that Cutwater Spirits has created and cultivated in just a few years and look forward to working with them to expand their premium canned cocktails to consumers across the U.S.”

“We’re thrilled to have found a partner that understands our vision for Cutwater Spirits and will give us the tools and resources to grow and thrive,” added Yuseff Cherney, Cutwater Spirits Founder. “We’re excited to join Anheuser-Busch and work with the team there to bring our spirits and canned cocktails to the world.”

Cutwater, besides the whiskeys it produces, is also known for 14 other types of spirits as well as premium mixers and a range of canned cocktails. They operate out of a 50,000 square foot production facility, currently distribute to 34 states and are said to have “experienced double and triple-digit growth since inception.”

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, and once the deal closes Cutwater will join the beer giant’s “Beyond Beer” portfolio. Cherney, Earl Kight and other senior-level managers will continue to lead the company, leveraging “Anheuser-Busch’s expertise in logistics & distribution, brand-building and packaging to scale the brand even faster.”

Search
  • Latest News
  • Latest Reviews