Hilliard's, Prairie Artisan Ales Sold

Over the past week, two small but popular craft breweries were sold to similarly sized beer companies.

Oklahoma's Krebs Brewing, which produced around 8,000 barrels of its Choc Beer line last year, acquired Tulsa-based Prairie Artisan Ales, widely known for its Bomb! series. Unbeknownst to many, Krebs was already the contract brewer for Prairie, which put out around 2,000 barrels in 2015, and the deal has more or less been in place for the better part of a year.

“Since I already felt like the beers were a partnership it only made sense,” Krebs President Zach Prichard said of the acquisition. Prairie co-founder and head brewer Chase Healey will have "some involvement" in the future, though it seems the fate of Prairie is firmly in the hands of Healey and Krebs. According to a blog post by Prichard on Prairie's website, this could mean new beers and new locations in the future.

“It is a humbling move that shows Chase continues to trust us to innovate, make great beer, and share Prairie across the globe,” said Prichard.

Seattle native Hilliard's Brewing has been sold to the smaller Odin Brewing, based out of Tukwila, Washington. Odin, which brewed around 3,000 barrels last year to Hilliard's 4,700 barrels, will move "certain tanks and equipment" to its new Tukwila taproom and brewery, and aim to sell the remainder of Hilliard's as an all-inclusive brewery package. 

Founder Ryan Hilliard will look to exit the craft beer business entirely. 

“I think the deal reached with Odin Brewing was a good one” Hilliard said in a press release. “It’s not often that deals like this come along, and when they do you have to be ready to move on them. I have enjoyed my time in the craft beer sector and am thrilled my namesake beer will live on in good hands.”

Odin Brewing Company was founded in 2009, and Hilliard's was founded in 2011.