VANCOUVER, BC – In a move that seemed to fly under the radar of the usually attentive BC craft beer scene, Squamish’s Howe Sound Brewing has purchased Vancouver’s R&B Brewing, a deal that went unreported for nearly two weeks before being revealed by Vancouver Beer Club earlier this week.
When contacted by CBN for comment, Howe Sound Vice President Trevor Magee confirmed that the deal closed on April 1st, and original owners Rick Dellow & Barry Benson have stayed on as employees.
“We have placed some of our key people at the facility, and Rick & Barry are assisting us with operations under our management,” says Magee. “We are now actively brewing our Howe Sound Lager there as well as R&B brands, and we will brew both R&B and Howe Sound beers at the facility going forward. It is our intention to preserve, brew & promote the R&B brands that have great loyalty in the Vancouver market.”
This purchase is the second move by Howe Sound to gain a foothold in the Vancouver market, following last year’s opening of Devil’s Elbow Ale & Smoke House, a pub and BBQ restaurant owned by the brewery that serves a full range of Howe Sound brands along with a few local guest taps.
Financial details of the purchase have not been disclosed at this time.