In what could be a pivotal move in the worldwide beverage arena, Chicago-based Reyes Beverage Group has reached an agreement to acquire Gold Coast Beverage Distributors, Inc.
Terms of the acquisition, scheduled to close in January, have not been disclosed, but the transaction stands to place Reyes Beverage Group as the largest beer distributor in the United States, even surpassing Anheuser-Busch InBev, according to Chicago Business.
See also: Schnebly Miami Brewing Company Signs With Gold Coast Distributors (Photos)
Privately-held Goad Coast Beverage Distributors is the largest beer distributor in Florida and one of the top 10 in sales in the United States. The Doral-based company distributes about 27 million cases of beer to more than 10,600 licensed retailers throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Monroe counties and has warehouses in Pompano Beach, Homestead, Rockland Key, and Doral.
Once the acquisition is complete, the South Florida company will operate as Gold Coast Beverage, a Reyes Beverage Group company, and will distribute beers from MillerCoors, Yuengling, Heineken USA, Diageo-Guinness USA, Boston Beer, Lagunitas, New Belgium, Sierra Nevada, and others.
Stephen Levin, chairman of Gold Coast Beverage Distributors said of the acquisition, "I am confident that the Reyes family will continue the strong traditions and high level of service for which Gold Coast is known."
Reyes Beverage Group is a division of food and beverage distributor Reyes Holdings LLC, which is the 11th largest in the United States, with annual sales of about $23 billion, according to Forbes. The mega-distribution company is known for acquiring smaller beer distribution companies. In 2011, Reyes, as Florida Distributing Company, acquired Schenck Company in Orlando. Most recently, Reyes acquired Kozak Beverages Inc., headquartered in Petersburg, Virginia.
Follow Laine Doss on Twitter @LaineDoss and Facebook.
Follow Short Order on Facebook, Twitter @Short_Order, and Instagram @ShortOrder.
