It was reported over the weekend that beer wholesaler powerhouse Reyes Beverage Group, the largest beer distributor in the country, is purchasing Warrenville-based craft-centric distributor Windy City.

The deal, reportedly worth 50 million dollars, will be finalized by the end of the year.

Interestingly, according to the Chicago Tribune, Reyes will not be absorbing Windy City.

Reyes’ Chicago Beverage Systems and Windy City will not integrate their operations. Windy City’s president, Bob Collins, and his management team will join Reyes. Chicago Beverage Systems distributes Miller, Coors and Heineken brands, among others. “Windy City Distributing will be a new entity in our network focused solely on the craft beer market,” said Ray Guerin, chief operating officer of Reyes Beverage Group. “I look forward to working with Windy City to learn more about servicing the craft beer industry while providing Reyes Beverage Group’s expertise to help Windy City expand.”

Crain’s Chicago Business adds:

More from Beer Business Daily: “In a twist, Reyes does not plan to integrate Windy City into their Chicago Beverage Systems division. In fact, Chicago Beverage will continue to compete with Windy City, and Windy City will have a completely different license, we understand.”

And BeerPulse confirms:

According to filings with the Illinois Secretary of State’s office, a new entity called Windy City Distributing, LLC, was formed on December 6th.

Windy City was founded by the Ebel brothers, who also started Two Brothers Brewing. Jim and Jason began the distribution operation in 1999 after they couldn’t find anyone to carry their beers. The business grew over the last decade to add the likes of Lagunitas, Oskar Blues, Stone and Victory.

A formal announcement is expected sometime this week.

Chicago Beverage Systems Parent Company Is Buying Windy City Distribution was last modified: by

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