Bear Republic & Drake's Merger

Bear Republic Brewing and Drake's Brewing are officially merging after working behind the scenes for some time. Artisan Brewers LLC, the business name of Drake's, will purchase certain assets of Bear Republic. As part of the deal, Drake's will acquire all of Bear Republic's intellectual property and produce their entire lineup of beers, including the iconic Racer 5 IPA, in addition to their own brands. The goal is to expand Bear Republic Brewing into new markets and communities.

Rich and Tami Norgrove, owners of Bear Republic Brewing, will join forces with John Martin and Roy Kirkorian of Drake's Brewing. Norgrove and his longtime brewmaster, Peter Kruger, will continue to work with the Bear Republic brand, while brewing will move from Cloverdale to San Leandro over the coming months. However, the beer will still be brewed in Cloverdale.

Norgrove will continue to represent the family-owned brewery in the manufacturing, production, and sales of Bear Republic's recipes. The deal does not involve a straight sale, but rather, as Norgrove explains, "buying the engine and driver, not the car." The primary focus during the transition period will be on Bear Republic's best-selling beer, Racer 5, and a new favorite, Racer 7, a 7-percent hazy IPA.

The merger offers many benefits from a synergistic point of view, according to Martin. The two companies have distributors in common in some key markets, and the deal makes them both stronger. Bay Area beer lovers will be pleased to know that not only will Bear Republic beer continue to be brewed, but it may become even easier to find. Plans are already underway to build a satellite beer garden and taproom in Sonoma County, similar to what Drake's Brewing has done in Oakland and West Sacramento.

Drake's origins date back to Lind Brewing, which was founded in 1989 by Roger Lind. Martin and Kirkorian purchased Drake's in 2008 and began opening taprooms and beer gardens soon after, including Drake's Barrel House in 2011, Drake's Dealership in 2016, and The Barn in 2018. Bear Republic Brewing was launched by Rich and Tami Norgrove, along with his parents, Richard and Sandy, in 1995. The company has focused on packaged beer and distribution since the pandemic lockdown's impact shuttered their brewpubs in Healdsburg and Rohnert Park.