USA, NH & MA: Smuttynose Brewing and Harpoon Brewery to unite under the name Barrel One Collective

Two of the largest and oldest craft breweries in New England are merging into one: the parent companies of Smuttynose Brewing and Harpoon Brewery will unite under the name Barrel One Collective, the Washington Beer Blog reported on January 2.

The resulting company ranks as the 14th largest craft brewery in the country, according to 2023 production data. Combined, the two breweries produced 165,000 barrels of beer in 2023, according to the press release announcing the merger.

Mass. Bay Brewing is the parent company of Harpoon Brewery, one of the oldest craft breweries in the nation, dating back to 1986. That company’s state-issued brewery license is #001. Finestkind Brewing is the parent company of Smuttynose Brewing, which was founded in New Hampshire in 1993 and is also one of the region’s oldest craft breweries.

The new company, Barrel One Collective, will bring 14 brands together and operate brewery taprooms and/or retail businesses across four states (MA, NH, NY, VT) starting in spring 2025. Barrel One Collective will “temporarily pause large-scale production at its Hampton, NH brewery, but hopes to restart at a future date.” The announcement said the restaurant, event space, and hospitality operations at the Hampton facility will be unaffected by the merger, remaining fully operational for guests. The company said the hospitality staff “will remain intact.”

According to Dan Kenary, Co-Founder and CEO of Mass Bay Brewing Company, “FinestKind Brewing is a fellow Northeast craft trailblazer that shares our passion for brewing excellence, innovation, and creating quality brews our communities can be proud of. 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.”

Steve Kierstead, CEO of FinestKind Brewing, said, “We view our breweries, hospitality spaces, and retail locations as hubs for community engagement and creative brewing… 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. Our mutual drive for excellence, love of legacy, and combined assets will allow us to stay true to our roots while also pushing the boundaries of brewing innovation and inspiring the next generation of craft beer drinkers and makers.”

This news speaks to a national trend in craft beer, bringing together brands to compete as a unified platform. “This merger is about much more than just growth,” said Dan Kenary, who will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the new company. “It’s about honoring our legacy while writing an exciting next chapter for our companies and the Northeast craft beer industry at large.”

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