The News
Hood River Distillers (HRD), the Pacific Northwest's largest and oldest distilled spirits company, has acquired Crater Lake Spirits from Bendistillery. Production will remain at Bendistillery’s facility in Bend, Oregon, with HRD handling distribution. The deal includes Crater Lake Spirits’ award-winning portfolio, which has been crafted for nearly three decades.
The Takeaway
- Market Expansion: Hood River Distillers is leveraging its existing distribution channels to bring Crater Lake Spirits into more markets, which benefits both the brand and customers who may now find these products more easily. This move allows Bendistillery to focus on production without dealing with complex state-by-state distribution.
- Brand Legacy Preservation: The acquisition ensures that Crater Lake Spirits will continue being made in Bend at the same facility, maintaining its 30-year-old tradition of quality and craftsmanship. This is crucial for loyal customers who value the brand's heritage.
- Strategic Partnership: By joining forces with HRD, Bendistillery gains access to a more extensive network, which should help grow Crater Lake Spirits' presence across Oregon and beyond. The combined expertise from both companies—spanning over 160 years of distilling experience—strengthens their position in the spirits market.
Original Press Release
Production remains in Bend.
Hood River Distillers (HRD), the largest and oldest importer, distiller, producer, and marketer of distilled spirits in the Pacific Northwest, announced today that it has agreed to acquire the Crater Lake Spirits portfolio from Bendistillery. Terms were not disclosed.
Under the agreement, Bendistillery will continue to produce and bottle all Crater Lake Spirits products at its Bend, OR facility, maintaining the craftsmanship and quality the brand has delivered for nearly three decades.
“From a product standpoint, very little will change,” said Jim Bendis, Founder and CEO of Bendistillery. “We’ll continue crafting the same high-quality spirits our customers know and trust. The difference is that instead of navigating a complex network of state markets and distributors on our own, we’ll now produce for Hood River Distillers, whose reach and relationships are broader than ours. It’s truly a win-win.”
Hood River Distillers, founded in 1934, also owns Clear Creek Distillery, Oregon’s first craft spirits distillery, which it acquired in 2014. Established in 1996, Bendistillery founded the nation’s first craft vodka and gin. The combined portfolio now represents more than 160 years of craft distillation expertise.
“Crater Lake Spirits is an award-winning portfolio with a strong legacy, a loyal following across Oregon, and deep roots in the Bend community,” said Russell Dodge, HRD President. “We both share a commitment to craftsmanship and quality, which is why these new additions fit seamlessly into the HRD portfolio.”
The agreement comes at a pivotal time in the beverage alcohol industry as wineries, breweries, and distilleries across the country are facing the challenges of declining alcohol consumption and shifting consumer preferences.
Source: BevNET
