Canadian craft breweries choose indie merger rather than sell out to big beer

Steam Whistle Brewing has purchased Beau’s Brewing in a move that helps the two independent Canadian brewers retain their craft credentials. 

The acquisition follows the two breweries announcing a partnership four months prior in a move which was reported to be an “alliance to sell and distribute their pooled portfolios in Ontario”. Since then, however, Toronto’s Steam Whistle Brewing has bought all of Beau Brewing’s shares, making it the sole owner.

The transition of ownership was fully endorsed by Beau’s co-founders Tim and his son Steve Beauchesne. The duo started planning the launch of Vankleek Hill-based Beau’s Brewing in 2004, nearly 18 years ago. Steve will still play an active role with Beau’s operations going forward, freeing up his father, Tim, to retire.

Steve and Jennifer Beauchesne have been appointed to the new subsidiary’s board of directors, along with three directors named by Steam Whistle.

Beauchesne said: “Succession planning for the brewery has been on the horizon for Beau’s, starting with the ESOP we launched in 2016. It has taken some time, as it was incredibly important to us to find new ownership that was value-aligned with Beau’s. Merging with Steam Whistle means that Beau’s continues to operate as an independent, Canadian craft brewery, which values quality, community and sustainability.”

Greg Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Steam Whistle Brewing added: “By bringing Beau’s into our fold, we are made even stronger. It is with great pride that we are now uniting the #1 and #2 premium, independent craft beer brands in Canada.”

Taylor pointed out that this is not an unusual progression for pioneering craft breweries of Beau’s and Steam Whistle’s size and age and explained: “In many cases we are seeing North American craft breweries being acquired by international conglomerates. The merger of Beau’s with Steam Whistle, two like-minded brewery compatriots, ensures all-Canadian ownership and keeps the spirit of craft alive. We see a bright future for our leading brands across Canada, and in the longer term, outside our borders.”

Beau’s Brewing Co. brews its award-winning flagship Lug Tread lagered ale, its certified organic and carbon neutral local organic ale as well as its portfolio of other year-round and seasonal beers. As Canada’s very first Certified B-Corporation brewery, Beau’s meets high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability and also helps the brewer avoid a corporate big beer takeover.