File this press release under the business of beer.
Fort Worth-based Ben E. Keith Beverages — one of the largest beverage distributors in the United States and one of the largest independent Anheuser-Busch wholesalers — has acquired the Texas division of College Station-based C.R. Goodman Distribution Company, a distributor of more than 60 high-end craft and import beer brands. As part of the deal, Ben E. Keith assumes ownership of C.R. Goodman’s business in Texas, while C.R. Goodman’s founders retain ownership of its Colorado business and its import company, Belukus Marketing. All Texas operations, which include 63 employees in its Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio facilities and sales offices, will remain the same under the Ben. E. Keith Beverages’ name. Financial terms were not disclosed.
The acquisition increases Ben E. Keith Beverages’ overall beverage distribution area to include the entire state of Texas. The company’s distribution area for Anheuser-Busch products will not expand.
“We are thrilled to add so many key specialty brands and dedicated employees to our company,” said Kevin Bartholomew, president of Ben E. Keith Beverages. “C.R. Goodman is renowned for its strong craft and import brands portfolio, and it is our number one priority to continue to build this business.”
Founded in 1982 by Ken Goodman and Chuck Robertson, C.R. Goodman distributed more than 60 brands of high-end craft and import beers, including Spaten, Fireman’s #4 of Real Ale Brewery, Full Sail, Anchor Steam, Dogfish Head, Ace Cider, Breckenridge, König Stone, Duvel, Samuel Smith and Chimay. The company sold approximately 700,000 case equivalents in 2007.
There’s a reason that distributors want more specialty beers in their portfolio. That’s what consumers are buying.
Well, hopefully Ben E Keith will make a good effort at increasing the variety of beer available in Texas. Maybe they’ll even distrubte a better vareity of beer in Midland…our selection is at best OK