Lone Pine Brewing of Portland, ME and Lord Hobo Brewing of Woburn, MA will merge into one company operating under single management and ownership.
The two breweries have shown growth spurts in their relatively short history, and the merger of the companies will help them survive the slowing growth in the craft category by combined efficiencies in sales, marketing, distribution, production and business management.
“The merger of our two breweries creates a platform for craft brand growth, focused on marketing brands that have deep consumer resonance, that can travel and cross categories,” Lord Hobo CEO Simon Thorpe said in a press release. “We believe that investment in marketing behind true consumer brands is the only viable way in today’s market to build long-term success in craft. This merger is the first step in building a portfolio of brands that can travel, cross categories and which truly resonate with consumers on a deeper level”
Lone Pine was founded in 2016 and became the fourth-fastest growing brewery in America by 2018. Distribution includes 18 states and some export overseas.
Lord Hobo was founded in 2015 and underwent rapid expansion leading up to the pandemic. During the three-year pandemic cycle of 2020-2023, production dropped sharply from 30,000 barrels to 17,000. The company was also jolted by allegations of inappropriate behavior towards women by founder Daniel Lanigan, who stepped down in 2021. The brewery brought in highly experienced industry veterans to take over, including Brian Walsh, former CEO of Smuttynose Brewing and Simon Thorpe, who was previously CEO at Duvel Moortgat and Pabst Brewing.
The company clearly has plans to leverage the new structure to both diversify and expand growth.
“As a result of post-COVID strategic shifts, breweries across the nation face challenges in terms of holding their distribution footprint against mounting raw material and other costs,” said Lord Hobo CFO Jonathan Monie. “Our platform aims to enhance the distribution capabilities of the brands in our network, driving sales growth through proven best practices in contiguous states. With Lone Pine’s retail footprint, we will establish additional retail satellites across the region. Additionally, changes in licensing will allow our group to develop our spirits portfolio and entertain contract brewing, easing our way into future partnerships and avenues for growth.”
More on the story here.