USA, CA & MI: Two Roots Brewing Co. to acquire Rochester Mills Production Brewery

A San Diego-based beverage company has reached an agreement to acquire Michigan's Rochester Mills Production Brewery, The Detroit News reported on September 10.

Two Roots Brewing Co., which is a licensed trademark of California's Lighthouse Strategies (a company that deals in finance, real estate, research and other things), will join forces with Rochester Mills, which is one of the top craft beer producers in Michigan.

Two Roots makes a line of nonalcoholic, cannabis-infused craft beverages that boast a low calorie count. They also make traditional craft beers and non-alcoholic beers without cannabis.

In Rochester, Two Roots will produce non-alcoholic craft beer. They plan to send that beer to a state-licensed cannabis manufacturer who will infuse it and distribute it from there.

With this move, Two Roots will be able to meet the growing demand of their products by an additional 60,000 barrels per year and distribute to this part of the country more easily.

“As the popularity of Two Roots Brewing Co. and Two Roots continues to grow, it has become essential to keep up with the demand,” said Two Roots Brewing managing member Tim Walters in a press release. “Rochester Mills Production Brewery’s location is key for access and distribution to the Midwest, East Coast and Canadian markets.”

"Unlike some other recent craft brewery acquisitions, where a macro-brewery comes in and gobbles up an independently owned brewery, we see Two Roots as a partner who is eager to work with us building and growing the business that we’ve started at Rochester Mills—bringing with them exciting new opportunities to enter new markets," said Rochester Mills Production Brewery director of marketing David Youngman in an email to The Detroit News.

The brewpub and restaurant Rochester Mills Beer Co. is not part of this deal and will continue to operate businesses as usual.

Also, the products that the Rochester craft brewery is known for, like their Milkshake Stout and Rochester Red Ale, will continue to be produced at the facility.

"We are extremely excited about the opportunities this change will bring for our brewing team and the beers we make here," said Rochester Mills' vice president and general manager in a statement. "Not only will you see the continuation of our flagship brew, Milkshake Stout and its variants included in the 12 Days of Milkshake holiday sampler pack, but also we'll see a variety of innovative new products coming from Rochester Mills and the Two Roots brands made right here in Michigan.”

13 September, 2019