Holiday Wine Cellar was one of the first retailers to house the San Diego, California native distillery Cutwater Spirits, previously known as Ballast Point Spirits. We love to read these “Cinderella Stories”! These are the stories that truly exemplif passion, dedication, and pushing the proverbial envelope in an otherwise cut-throat industry. Find & buy your Cutwater Spirits online at Holiday Wine Cellar 24/7!

The article below was originally found here. HWC was granted permission to use the article below by the writer, Tara Nurin, a Forbes Contributor to Food & Drink that “covers the business of beer and alcohol, mixed with a little politics”. Thank you, Tara!

Cutwater Spirits Sells to World's Largest Brewer
Anheuser Busch acquires San Diego’s Cutwater Spirits. Picture courtesy of Beverage Daily.

Feb. 20, 2019, San Diego — Cutwater Spirits has sold to AB InBev for an undisclosed sum.

“We have tremendous respect for the brand that Cutwater Spirits has created and cultivated in just a few years; and look forward to working with them to expand their premium canned cocktails to consumers across the U.S.”

Said Marina Hahn, new business cofounder, Anheuser-Busch, in a statement

AB InBev’s “Beyond Beer” portfolio will manage Cutwater along with existing non-beer brands Ritas, Spiked Seltzer, Babe Rose, and HiBall. The parties didn’t disclose terms of the deal. Cutwater founder, Yuseff Cherney, has said he and his management team will stay on.

“We are first and foremost a beer company.”

“…We want to be sure we are present where all consumers are. That includes adjacencies within beer, and different segments that are emerging.”

Brendan Whitworth, A-B’s vice president of sales in North America, told Brewbound the purchase of a distillery would “help it compete better outside of the beer market.”

Ballast Point sold to Constellation for $1 billion dollars but didn’t include Cutwater Spirits.

Cutwater Spirits Distillery
In 2007, the team extended into spirits under the name Ballast Point Spirits, though that line did not form part of the $1 Billion Dollar brewery sale, in 2015, to Constellation.
Cutwater Spirits Ready To Drink Cans
Cutwater (as Ballast Point Spirits) pioneered a new phase of the ready-to-drink canned cocktail category in 2015 when it began mixing high-quality spirits and other ingredients then packaging them into cans.

“We’re thrilled to have found a partner that understands our vision, for Cutwater Spirits; and will give us the tools and resources to grow and thrive. We’re excited to join Anheuser-Busch; and work with the team there – to bring our spirits and canned cocktails to the world.”

Yuseff Cherney, Founder of Cutwater Spirits, said in a statement regarding the sale to Anheuser-Busch.

Two of AB InBev’s breweries, Devils Backbone and 10 Barrel, have distilling operations, reports Brewbound.

What have you tried from Cutwater Spirits – and which are your favorites? Check out these other San Diego craft spirit natives, and read about the growing market!