Atwater is the fourth-largest craft brewer in Michigan. Terms weren’t disclosed.
The deal, which is expected to close within the next two months, represents the fifth U.S. craft acquisition for the brewer and the first since it bought Revolver Brewing, Hop Valley Brewing Co., and Terrapin Beer Co. in summer 2016. Tenth and Blake also operates Saint Archer Brewing in San Diego, AC Golden Brewing in Golden, Colo., and Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
Atwater, which produced more than 23,000 barrels in 2019, specializes in modern ales, such as their largest brands: a wheat ale named Dirty Blonde and Vanilla Java Porter. It also makes several varieties of IPA, an American brown ale and a host of German-style lagers. Atwater more recently launched a line of hard seltzers and a small portfolio of craft spirits. It operates three taprooms – one at its brewery in Detroit, one in Grosse Pointe Park, and a third in Michigan’s second-largest city, Grand Rapids.
“Atwater has been a staple and a leader in the Michigan craft community for more than two decades, and we’re thrilled to have them join Tenth and Blake,” says Paul Verdu, vice president of Tenth and Blake. “Our priority is to make sure their beer is enjoyed by consumers throughout their core markets and eventually across other core Great Lakes states.”
Verdu says Atwater “fills a void in our acquired craft portfolio in the eastern portion of the Great Lakes region” and is positioned to continue its strong performance in its home market of southeastern Michigan. Owner Mark Rieth and his operations team “have built a fantastic portfolio of beers and they continue to innovate and evolve. They’ll be a joy to work alongside building Atwater into something even bigger.”
Founded in 1997 as Atwater Block Brewery, the brewery set up shop across the street from the defunct Stroh’s brewery in Detroit’s Rivertown district and helped revive the city’s storied brewing tradition. After investing in the brewery in 2002, Rieth bought Atwater outright in 2005.