Two pioneering and iconic New England beer brands are merging. Thirty-year old Smuttynose of Hampton, NH will merge operations and ownership with 38-year-old Harpoon Brewery of Boston, MA. The new company more than hinted that they may be looking for more brands to acquire.
Mass. Bay Brewing Company, which owns Harpoon, will join with Finestkind Brewing, owner of Smuttynose, to form a new entity under the name of Barrel One Collective.
Barrel One Collective will be based in Boston and will oversee seven brewery taprooms in four states and a dozen various brands which have been acquired over recent years by Mass. Bay and Finestkind. Total production of all brands combined will be about 165,000 barrels, according to a company statement.
“With a combined 75 years of craft brewing expertise, this merger represents our commitment to setting these companies on an exciting growth trajectory and continuing to bring the very best products to our fervent customer base,” said Dan Kenary, the co-founder and CEO of Mass. Bay Brewing Company, who will serve as chief executive of Barrel One.
Mass. Bay acquired Vermont’s Long Trail Brewing Co. in 2022 which included the Otter Creek, Long Trail and Shed brands.
Smuttynose was sold at auction in 2018 and subsequently purchased by Runnymede Investments.
This may not be the last hand dealt as the new company appears ready to acquire new brands.
“Barrel One Collective is committed to ongoing portfolio development and welcomes inquiries from other like-minded brands eager to join the collaborative, value-added platform for beverage fans across the region,” said Steve Kierstead, chief executive of FinestKind.”