Brewing giant Molson Coors has taken over American whiskey maker Blue Run Spirits, its first acquisition in the spirits sphere.
The distiller, based in Georgetown, Kentucky, launched in October 2020 and has a range of bourbon and rye whiskeys available in 31 states and online. It is in the process of building a new distillery and visitor experience in Georgetown, and has three more whiskey releases scheduled for autumn 2023.
A statement from Molson Coors on the acquisition said it would provide Blue Run with "resources to continue its growth" while supporting Molson Coors' "evolution as a total beverage company".
In tandem with its acquisition, Molson Coors has established Coors Spirits Co. – an expansion of its existing spirits business Coors Whiskey Co. – which will house Blue Run Spirits along with Molson Coors' own Five Trail Blended American Whiskey and Barmen 1873 Bourbon brands, launched in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Blue Run's founders Mike Montgomery, Tim Sparapani, Jesse McKnight, and Andy Brown will all remain with the brand, and Jim Rutledge will continue to serve as Blue Run's distillery consultant and liquid advisor. Montgomery, along with Blue Run's whiskey director Shaylyn Gammon, will take on expanded roles in Coors Spirits Co. – Montgomery as vice president and Shaylyn as whiskey curator.
