Molson Coors Acquires Blue Run Spirits, Expands Into Bourbon Whiskey Market

Coors Spirits Co Lineup, Blue Run Spirits, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon
Coors Spirits Co Lineup, Blue Run Spirits, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon

Blue Run Bourbon JoinsCoors Spirits Co. Lineup

Molson Coors, the beverage company you probably associated with namebrand beers, is shaking things up with a bold move into the world of craft bourbon and rye whiskies. That’s right, Molson Coors acquires Blue Run Spirits, an innovative brand that’s been making waves in the whiskey community since its launch in 2020.

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Blue Run has quickly become a standout player in the whiskey industry, earning numerous awards and international acclaim for their premium spirits. Recently, they made huge waves on the newswire with headlines, Blue Run Spirits Plans $51 Million Distillery & Rickhouse in Georgetown, Kentucky. That is still in the works, but more on that later.

The upstart and Kentucky based spirits business has been lauded for their departure from traditional norms and their ability to generate intense interest with every release. One well known publication even dubbed them the “sneakerizers” of the bourbon industry. That’s no coincidence since one of the founders literally came from the sneaker industry.

As Molson Coors acquires Blue Run Spirits, this showcases Molson Coors’ desire to venture further into the spirits realm, expanding their portfolio beyond beer. And they’re not stopping at Blue Run. Molson Coors has also introduced Coors Spirits Co., a brand new division dedicated to their growing spirits business. This is a similar trend we’ve noticed with other industry brands such as Pabst Blue Ribbon Whiskey.

Blue Run will join other brands under the Coors Spirits Co. umbrella, including Five Trail Blended American Whiskey and Barmen 1873 Bourbon. This acquisition will more than double the size of Molson Coors’ spirits team, demonstrating their commitment to premiumization and growth in this explosive market.

What does this mean for the customer?

Nonetheless, this naturally makes some longstanding fans of Blue Run a bit concerned. Getting ahead of that from a PR perspective, Molson Coors suggests they are dedicated to maintaining the brand’s well-known quality, design, and innovation. And with plans to build a distillery in Kentucky, they’re showing their long-term investment in the brand’s future. This also gives them a solid footprint in the heart of Bourbon Country!

The founders of Blue Run – Mike Montgomery, Tim Sparapani, Jesse McKnight, and Andy Brown – will continue to be a part of the brand, ensuring a seamless transition. They’ll be joined by bourbon legend Jim Rutledge and rising star Shaylyn Gammon, who will bring their expertise and passion to Coors Spirits Co. Rutledge was previously behind legendary Kentucky bourbon brands such as Four Roses Bourbon.

“We’ve always aimed to do things differently and connect with a new generation of whiskey drinkers,” says Mike Montgomery, founder of Blue Run. “We’re thrilled that Molson Coors shares our vision and wants to support us on this exciting journey.”

So what do you think Molson Coors acquiring Blue Run Spirits will mean for the consumers? Naturally people think, better distribution for the consumer and an attempt at increased margins for the distiller. Blue Run whiskies are currently distributed to 31 states across the US.

However, only time will tell if the quality or innovation of this rising star in whiskey will maintain the edge that brought them here in the first place! You will be the ultimate judge at the end of the day, and we expect that more folks will be introduced to the brand and its innovative approach in the near future! Stay on the lookout for future releases with our Bourbon Release Calendar 2023 updates!

Who is Molson Coors Beverage Company?

Cheers to Molson Coors Beverage Company! For over 200 years, they’ve been crafting delicious drinks that bring people together in all of life’s moments. From classics like Coors Light and Miller Lite to fan favorites like Blue Moon and Vizzy Hard Seltzer, they’ve created some of the most iconic brands around. But their lineup doesn’t stop at beer. Molson Coors has a modern portfolio that includes energy drinks, bottled spirits, refreshing cocktails, and even cider. They’ve got something for everyone! Raise a glass and visit molsoncoors.com to learn more.

Who is Coors Spirits Co.?

Introducing Coors Spirits Co., the boozy brainchild of Molson Coors. They’re stepping up their game, shifting from beer to become the ultimate beverage connoisseurs. It all started in 2021 with the magnificent launch of Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, which quickly earned itself a shiny Double Gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. But they didn’t stop there. In spring 2023, they proudly introduced Barmen 1873 Bourbon, a nod to Coors Brewing founder Adolph Coors and the year he set up shop in Golden, Colo. And just when you thought things couldn’t get any better, Molson Coors only went and bought themselves Blue Run Spirits of Georgetown, Ky, a top-notch distillery famous for their luxurious bourbons and rye whiskies. Talk about a match made in bourbon heaven! But wait, there’s more. Buckle up, folks, because Coors Spirits Co. has big plans for the future. They’re only getting started with their innovative creations. Cheers to that!

Who isBlue Run Spirits?

Introducing Blue Run Spirits: the game-changer in the world of bourbon. Based in Georgetown, Kentucky, this innovative company combines traditional methods with a modern twist to create award-winning whiskey. Led by whiskey experts Jim Rutledge and Shaylyn Gammon, Blue Run crafts their spirits with care and precision. But it’s not just about the whiskey itself – Blue Run’s eye-catching packaging, featuring their iconic butterfly medallion, represents the transformation of an age-old industry. They’re breaking barriers and inviting a new generation of whiskey lovers to the bar. Established in 2020, Blue Run Spirits has already made waves, earning a spot on Bloomberg’s list of the 50 most innovative companies in America. Get ready to experience bourbon like never before.

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