{"id":2118,"date":"2009-12-29T13:32:15","date_gmt":"2009-12-29T17:32:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.2beerguys.com\/blog\/?p=2118"},"modified":"2009-12-29T13:32:15","modified_gmt":"2009-12-29T17:32:15","slug":"long-trail-brewery-purchasing-otter-creek-brewery-in-vermont","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/2009\/12\/29\/long-trail-brewery-purchasing-otter-creek-brewery-in-vermont\/","title":{"rendered":"Long Trail Brewery purchasing Otter Creek Brewery in Vermont"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Long
\nLong Trail Brewery of Bridgewater corners Vermont to purchase Otter Creek Brewery in Middlebury, Vermont.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Long Trail \/ Otter Creek news is slightly old (this news happened around 11\/25), but none the less, I felt it was important to post this information to share.<\/p>\n

I found it strange today when I was looking for information about the joint venture on Otter Creek’s and Long Trail’s website, but I wasn’t able to locate the press release on either website. (I saw the press release on Long Trail’s website, but it is no longer listed under the news section.)<\/p>\n

I searched the web to locate the press release:<\/p>\n

\"Otter<\/p>\n

TWO VERMONT CRAFT BREWERS PLAN TO JOIN FORCES<\/strong><\/p>\n

(Bridgewater Corners, VT) Excitement reigns at two local Vermont breweries in Middlebury and Bridgewater Corners, as word comes of a signed Letter of Intent by Long Trail Brewing Co. to acquire the Otter Creek Brewery<\/strong>, home to Otter Creek and Wolaver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Certified Organic brands. Long Trail anticipates the completion of the diligence process in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153We are excited about the potential of two great Vermont companies joining forces,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d according to Long Trail Brewing\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s CEO, Brian Walsh<\/strong>, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We hold the same, proud Vermont traditions as creators of award winning craft beer. Our roots are in Vermont, and we are looking forward to growing our business together.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Long Trail and Otter Creek are Vermont\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s oldest craft breweries<\/strong>, with a combined brewing history of nearly 40 years. The brands are poised to continue to grow and develop in Bridgewater Corners and Middlebury, Vermont. As Mike Gerhart, Otter Creek and Wolaver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Brewmaster puts it, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all extremely excited about the partnership with Long Trail. There\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a lot of creativity and talent in this building. Now, we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll have the resources and tools to up the ante and make each other stronger, pushing the craft beer envelope. At the end of the day, it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s about making great beer.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Bill Hill, Chief Financial Officer at Otter Creek added, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This is a great opportunity for each of Otter Creek\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s constituencies; our consumers, our distributors, our suppliers, and our associates.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Long Trail received the 2009 Vermont Governor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Award for Environmental Excellence, recognizing the brewery\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s innovative approach to preserving and protecting the environment. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Wolaver\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s is a natural extension to our ECO Brewing\u00e2\u201e\u00a2 program,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Walsh, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153to have a brand with such strong commitment to sustainability, and being one of the first certified organic craft beers in North America.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Two great, local, craft breweries are now looking toward the future as they continue to develop all three brands, right here in Vermont.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit\u00c2\u00a0 http:\/\/www.longtrail.com\/ <\/a>and http:\/\/www.ottercreekbrewing.com<\/a><\/p>\n

2Beerguys says:<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0 This is an interesting move.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s quite different approach than the April 2008 merger\u00c2\u00a0between Pyramid and Magic Hat.\u00c2\u00a0 The Pyramid and Magic Hat joint venture expanded their reach from\u00c2\u00a0coast to coast, which was similar to the move that Redhook took to open a second facility in Portsmouth, NH.\u00c2\u00a0 The reason appeared to be based on market expansion (but I have yet to see any Pyramid beers available in New England \ud83d\ude42 )<\/p>\n

The market for\u00c2\u00a0 Long Trail (product available\u00c2\u00a09 states) and Otter Creek’s\u00c2\u00a0 (product available\u00c2\u00a0in 15 states)\u00c2\u00a0has some overlapp but does not cross the great Mississsippi river.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0Also, their current production levels are a bit different. Currently, Long Trails producing is 3 times the amount of Otter Creek, but does not have an organic offering (like Wolavers produced by Otter Creek).\u00c2\u00a0 If their production remains the same after the merger, their\u00c2\u00a0combined production may push them over the 100k barrel\u00c2\u00a0 mark.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Do they have competiting products?<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is some overlap in the non-organic market, but Long Trail and Otter Creek availabiliy is\u00c2\u00a0a bit\u00c2\u00a0different.\u00c2\u00a0 In many local stores,\u00c2\u00a0 Long Trail\u00c2\u00a0represents a good\u00c2\u00a0selection of 6 pack, 12 packs,\u00c2\u00a0 and seasonal mixed packs throughout.\u00c2\u00a0 In the past year,\u00c2\u00a0Long Trail\u00c2\u00a0released a few special brewers series beers in 22 oz bottles (bombers).\u00c2\u00a0 The 22oz specialty series seemed to be spurred by\u00c2\u00a0market demands.\u00c2\u00a0 Popular Beers:<\/em> Long Trail Unfiltered IPA, Hit the Trail Ale, Blackberry Wheat and Double Bag.<\/p>\n

In my local stores, Otter Creek beers seem to be a bit scarse in the 6 packs, 12 packs and mixed packs.\u00c2\u00a0 There are some styles, but not many.\u00c2\u00a0 Otter Creek seems to have more of a variety in the speciality 22oz bottles market.\u00c2\u00a0 Popular Beers:<\/em> Otter Creek Stovepipe Porter, Copper Ale,\u00c2\u00a0Oktoberfest and Otter Kilter.\u00c2\u00a0 \u00c2\u00a0Otter Creek’s\u00c2\u00a0latest 22 oz offering is named Quercus Vitis Humulus.<\/p>\n

Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2009, MagicHat dropped their organic brand named Orilio, letting the others compete for the organic market share (the local players are\u00c2\u00a0Wolavers by\u00c2\u00a0Otter Creek,\u00c2\u00a0Peak Organic and Stone Mill series by A\/B).\u00c2\u00a0 Long Trail is very environment conscious and this decision might have been to increase their visibility into the EcoMarket.<\/p>\n

Overall, the winner from this merger will be Otter Creek and the Wolavers brand.\u00c2\u00a0 Long Trail does well in New England and they will remain to do well.\u00c2\u00a0 If both brands are kept (Long Trail and Otter Creek\/Wolavers), the Otter Creek\u00c2\u00a0sales and availability will increase\u00c2\u00a0in stores\/restaurants.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/p>\n

Good Luck!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sean<\/strong>
\n2Beerguys.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drink Craft Beer, You’ve Earned It!!!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other Articles about the merger:<\/strong>
\nHoliday stunner: Report says Long Trail Brewing to buy Otter Creek Brewing<\/a>
\nVt.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Long Trail beer to buy Otter Creek<\/a>
\nLong Trail purchasing Otter Creek Brewing<\/a><\/p>\n

Other Related Articles:<\/strong>
\nTop 50 breweries in 2008<\/a>
\nPush to change Vermont Beer Laws<\/a>
\nVermont \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Part 3 \u00e2\u20ac\u201c Day 3<\/a><\/p>\n

About Otter Creek<\/strong>
\nLocated in beautiful Middlebury, Vermont, we shipped our first keg of Copper Ale in March of 1991. Four years later, after quickly outgrowing our original site, we moved into a new state-of-the-art brewery just down the street.<\/p>\n

In 1998, we began producing Wolaver’s Certified Organic Ales in partnership with Panorama Brewing Company. Both brands have flourished as beer drinkers throughout the northeast have enjoyed craft ales, and as the focus on sustainable farming and living has blossomed.<\/p>\n

In May of 2002, the Wolaver family purchased Otter Creek Brewing. Otter Creek remains a family owned Vermont company and produces all Otter Creek and Wolaver’s brands for distribution throughout the country.<\/p>\n

We brew and bottle all of our beers in small batches to ensure freshness and consistent quality. We use natural Vermont water, the best domestic malt and hops available, and our own top-fermenting yeast. All Wolaver’s beers are made with no less than 98% certified organic ingredients. Our brewery and our Wolaver’s brands are certified organic by Vermont Organic Farmers.<\/p>\n

Otter Creek ales enjoy a complexity of flavor, natural carbonation, and a creamy texture that is favored by beer enthusiasts at pubs and restaurants throughout the United States.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Long Trail Brewery of Bridgewater corners Vermont to purchase Otter Creek Brewery in Middlebury, Vermont. This Long Trail \/ Otter Creek news is slightly old (this news happened around 11\/25), but none the less, I felt it was important to post this information to share. I found it strange today when I was looking for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[122,96,930],"tags":[928,929],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/01\/longtrail_ipa.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2118"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2138,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2118\/revisions\/2138"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2118"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2118"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/2beerguys.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}