E-Malt.com News article: USA: Constellation offloads Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery to founders

Brothers Andy and Charlie Nelson have bought back full ownership of Nashville’s Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery from Constellation Brands, The Spirits Business reported on November 10.

The deal includes all product inventory, covering Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey and Nelson Brothers Bourbon.

The brothers also took over the lease for the 50,000-square-foot distillery, event space, and production facility at 1414 Clinton Street in Nashville, Tennessee.

Constellation Brands first bought a minority stake in the business in 2016 through its venture capital arm. It increased its stake to a majority in 2019 and took full ownership in 2024.

Charlie left the business in 2023, and Andy followed when Constellation took full ownership in 2024. The latter was succeeded as head distiller by Brandon O’Daniel.

In 2024, the brothers bought the rights to Belle Meade Bourbon and Louisa’s Liqueur, which had previously been part of the distillery’s portfolio. They now run those brands under their own company, Belle Meade Spirits.

Andy, co-founder of Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery, said: “This has been our family business dating back to the 1800s, so to have the opportunity to once again have full ownership of the brand and its storied history is extraordinarily meaningful to us.”

He added that there would be “a transition period where we determine next steps for the brand, our portfolio of products and the distillery itself”. He said the brothers intend to return to producing “premium spirits right here in our own hometown”.

The brothers’ great-great-great-grandfather, Charles Nelson, founded the original Green Brier Distillery in the 1800s, and it went on to become Tennessee’s largest pre-Prohibition distillery. It was forced to close in 1909, when Tennessee enacted Prohibition.

Andy and Charlie revived the distillery in 2014 and began producing Nelson’s Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey using the original pre-Prohibition recipe.

Charlie added: “In a city where we continue to see more and more outside companies choose Nashville as part of their expansion plans, it’s so fun to be able to have this opportunity to once again operate Green Brier as a locally owned family business.

“This city has given so much to us, and we see this as an opportunity to give back by continuing to invest in the community we call home.”

All existing staff will be kept on, and the distillery’s restaurant, bar, tours and events will continue as normal.

Constellation Brands commented: “On 9 November 2026, we completed a transaction under which Belle Meade Spirits, owned by Andy and Charlie Nelson, has assumed ownership of the Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery brand and inventory and will take over the lease for the distillery and event space.

“This transaction supports Constellation Brands’ focus on the specific consumer segments, channels, and markets best positioned to drive long-term growth for our reshaped wine and spirits portfolio, and we believe Nelson’s Green Brier will be well cared for by a local, family-run team connected to its roots.

“We wish everyone at Belle Meade Spirits, including the Nelson’s Green Brier on-site team joining them, great success in this next chapter.”

Constellation Brands flagged the sale in its second-quarter results, where it recorded impairments on assets held for sale linked to “management’s plan to divest the Nelson’s Green Brier business”. The firm reported total asset impairment and related expenses of US$49.8 million for the quarter, which also covered the sale of its New Zealand wine brands.


11 November, 2026