Molson Coors Acquires Blue Run Spirits, Establishes Coors Spirits Co.

Aug. 8, 2023

Kentucky-based whiskey producer will join Molson Coors in its efforts to evolve beyond the beer aisle into a total beverage company.

Andy Hanacek

Molson Coors Beverage Co. has agreed to acquire Georgetown, Ky.-based Blue Run Spirits, a producer of bourbon and rye whiskies that was founded in October 2020. The move is the company’s first acquisition in the spirits space, according to a release from the company, and allows the formation of Coors Spirits Co., which represents another step in the evolution of Molson Coors beyond the beer aisle into a total beverage company.

Blue Run is expected to boost Molson Coors’ footprint in spirits and help it premiumize its overall portfolio. The new Coors Spirits Co. will house Blue Run, Five Trail Blended American Whiskey, Barmen 1873 Bourbon — and future innovation, the company says. This acquisition will more than double the size of Molson Coors’ spirits team. Five Trail Blended American Whiskey was Molson Coors’ first foray into the whiskey space, launching in 2021. Barmen 1873 Bourbon was introduced in 2022.

Currently available in 31 states, Blue Run announced plans to build a distillery in Kentucky in March 2023, and those plans are expected to continue under Molson Coors’ watch. In addition, Blue Run has three new whiskies slated for late summer/fall release, the announcement said.

Blue Run’s founders — Mike Montgomery, Tim Sparapani, Jesse McKnight and Andy Brown — will all remain with the brand, with Montgomery becoming vice president of Coors Spirits Co.

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.