It’s big Bend beer news: Deschutes Brewery acquires the Boneyard Beer brand
Boneyard founder to get equity in Deschutes as part of the deal
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- In Bend, beer is big business, which is why a new business partnership announced Wednesday between Deschutes Brewery and Boneyard Beer is big news.
Deschutes Brewery President Michael LaLonde told NewsChannel 21, "What's happening is that Deschutes is taking over the brand of Boneyard and all of their beer brands, their recipes, the location that they have over at Lake, which is the original Boneyard pub and tasting room"
Boneyard co-founder Tony Lawrence is getting equity in the deal.
"Tony actually gets ownership in Deschutes Brewery," LaLonde said. "So it's really Deschutes is going to have their brand, supported by everybody at the company. Tony is going to have the freedom to pursue his brand."
Lawrence says he's excited for the potential this deal has for his long-passionate brand.
"When I travel outside the region and I see the feedback from the customers or their interest, or their own curiosity," Lawrence said. "Now we get to put that to work and see where the Boneyard brand lies in history, up and down the West Coast, and where our IPAs and liquids that we produce really fall."
Deschutes founder Gary Fish says the announcement quickly became big news in the beer and craft brewing world.
"Since we made the announcement at 10 o'clock this morning, we've fielded call from all across the country about this deal and about being able to get the Boneyard brand," Fish said
Asked whether Boneyard will begin mass distribution, like Deschutes Brewery, LaLonde says they have big plans -- but that they will be done in baby steps.
"Right now, we have a lot of big plans for Boneyard, but we want make sure that it's successful," he said. "That will be baby steps. Right now, they have Oregon distribution, a little bit in Washington, a little bit in Northern California. That's where we're going to focus, and once we fill out that footprint, that's when we'll think about other geographies."
Wow! Two worthless articles on drinking and no news
We’re here looking at ads, so the articles were 100% worthwhile.
And your…literally…worthless comment. Not much value add there, stoner.
Just to be clear, a purchase is not a partnership, in the business world. Otherwise, Mr. Lawrence would still call the shots at Boneyard. He won’t. Big Fish swallowing a small one…pun intended.
Dude started a brand from scratch, and a few years later cashed in. He’ll probably be okay.
It’s an acquisition. Lawrence likely getting a payout for his hard work over 10 years as well as equity (in an employee owned company) while continuing to work for the combined entity. What’s your problem?
Too bad for Boneyard, Deschutes has been completely off the local radar since they destroyed all their marketing/promo efforts here.
Meh…I don’t like either brand. Lagunitas, on the other hand….Love me some Imperial Stout.
Go back to California, Hiker
You first. I was born and have lived in the PNW my whole life. I just don’t like any of Deschutes Brewing’s beers. There is better beer out there, in my opinion.
I hope hey go with the Deschutes cardboard packing. The plastic Boneyard uses isn’t good.
I drink Stella in cans
I drink Stella when in Belgium. Not bad, and every place has it.
I am SO disappointed in our local media. None of them have reported on the impact on Boneyard Beer’s brewery production staff. Will these jobs be moved over to Deschutes? Or are these people soon to be unemployed?
Majority of the staff at boneyard will be laid off. This is a terrible deal for Boneyard employees.
Really? Hadn’t heard that. We can check – feel free to drop us a line at stories@ktvz.com with any specifics, thanks.