Sierra Nevada Brewing Announces its First Ever Brewery Acquisition

Sierra Nevada Brewing has been crafting delicious suds for many decades. The company operates a west coast and east coast brewery and is involved in community activities, charitable efforts, and spreading the good word of craft beer. Sierra Nevada Brewing is a business based on values and it has done just about everything imaginable during its approximately four decades in existence, except for one thing: Acquiring another brewery.

That is, until now.

Sierra Nevada Brewing just announced it has entered into an agreement to purchase 100 percent of Sufferfest Beer Company of San Francisco, California. Sierra Nevada cites shared values, a strong commitment to innovation, and common goals as the driving forces behind the decision to take the plunge and make the purchase. Sierra Nevada President and CEO Jeff White says Sufferfest is already on the cutting edge and the infusion of investment will help the smaller brewery achieve widespread reach.

“While still in its infancy, Sufferfest is at the front of the wave of ‘functional’ alcoholic beverages,” said White. “By joining with Sierra Nevada, Sufferfest will be better positioned to grow and continue to lead the way in a rapidly growing and highly competitive space.”

Sufferfest is unique among breweries. The brewery is under three years of age, but has a large and loyal following due to its gluten- removed line of beers. Some examples of the popular beers brewed by Sufferfest include its Kolsch beer, which contains only 95 calories and is brewed with bee pollen and its FKT (Fastest Known Time) Pale Ale, which is brewed with salt and black currant. White says the product line is an excellent business match with Sierra Nevada and that both breweries share a strong commitment to community.

“The complementary nature of our offerings and their position at the cusp of this emerging category are not the only reasons Sufferfest made sense,” said White. “From the moment we met, it was clear that our two companies are deeply aligned in our values and our commitment to do the right thing.”

Sufferfest founder and CEO Caitlin Landesberg started the brewery because she wanted to fulfill a market need created by thirsty athletes who yearn for a flavorful, gluten- free beer to enjoy after a physical workout.

“I’ve always craved a beer after a race, but when I couldn’t find a beer that agreed with my dietary and performance needs, it left a genuine void in the post-race social experience,” says Landesberg. “The finish line is where we get to celebrate the ail, anguish and suffering we’ve all been through together. I so wanted to continue to be part of this occasion, but didn’t want to keep compromising on taste or ingredients.”

Landesberg first learned homebrewing in 2012 and then enrolled in classes at the University of California- Davis where she learned about brewing and microbiology. Sufferfest Beer is the result of her hard work and dedication to bring a beer made for athletes to the masses. And Sierra Nevada Brewing is the perfect example of a brewery that, like Sufferfest, is committed to people and communities.

“Sierra Nevada is the perfect fit,” explained Landesberg. “If it were any other company, this would not be a consideration for us. Sierra Nevada is a family-owned and operated business that isn’t driven by shareholder pressure to meet quarterly numbers,” she continued. “I’ve always been so impressed by their commitment to the communities they serve. They are really driven by their own north star.”

Sierra Nevada Brewing resisted brewery acquisitions for a long time. It took finding the right fit and Sufferfest Beer fulfilled the requirements. In due time, we may see Sufferfest beers in local stores and restaurants/bars from coast to coast, but until that time, let’s celebrate this business ‘first’ for Sierra Nevada Brewing and wish everyone involved the best.