Cisco Brewers

Cisco Brewers is a brewery, distillery, and winery founded in 1992 on Nantucket, Massachusetts by Randy and Wendy Hudson.[1] It was acquired by Craft Brew Alliance in 2018 and AB InBev 2020.[2][3]

Cisco Brewers
LocationNantucket, Massachusetts, United States
Opened1992
ParentAB InBev
Websitewww.ciscobrewers.com
Cisco's Tripel

History

Nantucket Vineyard

Nantucket Vineyard, a sister company of Cisco Brewers, was founded in 1981 by Dean and Melissa Long.[4] After failing to grow grapes on Nantucket Island due to unsuitable climate and soil conditions, Dean and Melissa began to import grapes from California, Washington state and New York.[5]

Cisco Brewers

In 1992, Randy and Wendy Hudson moved into a loft above Dean and Melissa Long’s winery to help with production. Eventually, they began producing beer on the site, with the entire process taking place outside, except for the cold-room. This outdoor brew space was called a nano-brewery and was credited with being America’s only outdoor commercial brewery.[6]

Growth

In 1996, the Hudsons moved to a new building called the Mortan Building. But, due to the construction, Cisco Brewers could not sell beer in July and August of 1996. This event created the company’s motto, “Nice beer, if you can get it.” [7]

Triple Eight Distillery

In 1997, Dean Long applied to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a license to manufacture high-proofed spirits. The license was approved in the fall of 2000, and he began distilling single malt Notch Whiskey. However, the plan called for the whiskey to be aged for five years. So, to generate immediate income, the decision was made to also produce vodka because it could be sold immediately. The name for the vodka, Triple Eight Distillery, came from the fact that it was produced with water from Nantucket well #888. To help raise capital for the production of the vodka, people were allowed to purchase futures on barrels of Notch Whiskey.[1]

Craft Brew Alliance

In 2015, Craft Brew Alliance purchased a minority stake in Cisco Brewers. The acquisition also had Cisco Brewers start production of their beers at Craft Brew Alliance's Portsmouth, New Hampshire facility and make Craft Brew Alliance their master distributor.[8]

In 2018, Craft Brew Alliance wholly acquired Cisco Brewers for $23 million.[9]

Partnerships

Cisco Brewers support the shark research activities of OCEARCH. As a result, a Great white shark tagged by OCEARCH in October 2016 near Nantucket, Massachusetts was named "Cisco" after the brewery.[10] The brewery also produces Shark Tracker Light Lager in support of OCEARCH.[11]

References
  1. "About us". Cisco Brewers. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  2. Rob. "Cisco Brewers Announces Innovative New Partnership With Craft Brew Alliance | Mass Brew Bros". Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  3. Furnari, Chris. "Anheuser-Busch InBev Completes Acquisition Of Craft Brew Alliance". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  4. "Cisco Brewers | Union Beer Distributors". www.unionbeerdist.com. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  5. "Who We Are :: Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery, Nantucket Vineyard". ciscobrewers.com. Retrieved 2017-03-21.
  6. "Cisco Brewers -- Brewbound.com | Craft beer industry news, events, and jobs". www.brewbound.com. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  7. Planet, Lonely. "Cisco Brewers in South Shore". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  8. "CBA Planning to Purchase Minority Stake in Cisco Brewers". Brewbound. 2015-09-29. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  9. "Led By $23 Million Purchase of Cisco Brewers, Craft Brew Alliance Buys 3 Beer Companies". Brewbound. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
  10. "OCEARCH.ORG »Profile Cisco". www.ocearch.org. Retrieved 2017-07-04.
  11. "Shark Tracker Light Lager :: Cisco Brewers, Triple Eight Distillery, Nantucket Vineyard". ciscobrewers.com. Retrieved 2017-07-04.

41°15′48.7″N 70°7′52.5″W

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