Carlton & United Breweries acquires Riot Wine, expands portfolio

Carlton & United Breweries acquisition of Riot Wine : Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev) subsidiary Carlton & United Breweries (CUB) has acquired Australian canned wine company Riot Wine for an undisclosed amount, as per the latest drinks acquisition news.

Adelaide-based Riot Wine is said to be the only wine company in the country that sells wine in kegs and cans.

Launched in 2016, the Australian canned wine company produces wine, including its flagship product rosé from South Australian grapes, and its wide range of wines are sold across hundreds of venues and retail stores nationwide.

Commenting on Carlton & United Breweries acquisition of Riot Wine, Joe Cook – co-founder and general manager, Riot Wine said: “We launched Riot Wine Co to start a wine revolution in Australia by getting venues and consumers to switch from bottles to steel kegs and aluminium cans.

“Wine drank this way is fresher and easier plus it’s more sustainable because one keg saves roughly 23,000 bottles from entering the environment.

“Our kegs prevent wine oxidising and our wine has a fun and fresh taste profile, with less sulphur making it cleaner than traditional wine.”

Carlton & United Breweries acquires Riot Wine, Australian canned wine company. Photo courtesy of CUB.

The investment from Carlton & United Breweries, which follows the construction of a new Pirate Life brewery in Port Adelaide last year, will expand Riot Wine’s urban cellar door, The Cannery, in the Adelaide suburb of Brompton.

Rose Scott – Sales VP – Australia and NZ, Carlton & United Breweries, on on Carlton & United Breweries acquisition of Riot Wine, said: “Riot Wine Co is a truly innovative company and CUB shares its commitment to quality and sustainability.

“Its rapid expansion in just three years shows venues and retailers agree that it can deliver great things for consumers.

“The Riot Wine Co team won’t change and management will stay on to ensure the elements that have helped drive the business’ success – a focus on quality wine from grape to glass, disruption and innovation, and the quality of its people and outstanding customer relationships – remain in place.”

Carlton & United Breweries produces some of the well known Australian beer brands like Victoria Bitter, Carlton Draught, Cascade Premium Light, Pure Blonde, Great Northern, Crown Lager, Carlton Dry, Melbourne Bitter, and the Yak Ales.

Recently, Belgian drinks giant AB InBev signed a deal to sell Carlton & United Breweries to Japanese drinks company Asahi Group for nearly $11.3 billion. Subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals in Australia among others, Asahi acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries is expected to be wrapped up by the first quarter of 2020.

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