Widmer, Redhook breweries merging

Two Pacific Northwest breweries have agreed to merge into something called Craft Brewers Alliance.

Redhook Ale Brewery Inc. of Woodinville, WA, and Widmer Brothers Brewing Co. of Portland, OR, will merge to create the combined company publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol HOOK. Management offices will be in both Portland and Woodinville. Its breweries will be in both cities as well as in Portsmouth, N.H.

“I believe that the merger will allow us even greater opportunity to deliver unique and great-tasting beers for our customers,” Kurt Widmer, president and brewmaster of Widmer Brothers, said in a press statement. “The two companies have a common goal — we both strive to brew the best possible beer for our customers.”

The companies already have partnerships in brewing, sales and marketing. Following the merger, the Redhook and Widmer
beers will remain separate brands in the marketplace. The merger is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval.

Widmer Brothers was ranked 11th largest U.S. brewery in 2006. Its brews are distributed in 48 states. Widmer also was named mid-sized brewery of the year at the Great American Beer Festival in 2002 and 2004.

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