Sleeman up for grabs

antirealist · Post by **antirealist** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:52 am

From today's G&M:

Four brewers are expected to belly up to the bar today and pitch offers for Sleeman Breweries Ltd. as the auction of the $220-million beer maker enters its final stage.

The two major domestic players, Molson Coors Brewing Co. and Labatt Brewing Co. Ltd., are expected to make bids. So too are a pair of overseas brewers that distribute their suds through Sleeman, Royal Grolsch NV and Sapporo Breweries Ltd. All are expected to make formal bids by a Sleeman-imposed deadline of the end of today, according to industry and investment banking sources.

Sleeman, which holds 7 per cent of the Canadian beer market, announced a "strategic review" in May that could include the sale of the Guelph, Ont.-based company. Sources say the brewer hopes to announce a buyer by October.

What happens to Unibroue when Sleeman is sold, I wonder?

Hamilton Brian · Post by **Hamilton Brian** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:20 am

You'd think someone in the know would want Sleeman just for the Unibroue portfolio.

StevenThrasher · Post by **StevenThrasher** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:32 am

Whomever buys Sleeman PLEASE don't mess up Unibroue. I'm so happy I can buy Trois Pistoles at the beer store.

Sleeman didn't seem to do anything negative as far as I know. They improved the distribution into Ontario which I was quite happy about.

Maybe if Molson buys Sleeman they might advertise Unibroue products. That would be interesting. Hopefully they show the beer poured into glasses not people in t-shirts and shorts holding the bottles.

John Aitken · Post by **John Aitken** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:36 pm

WOW, this is what happens when a brewery is not for sale? At least I seem to recall that is what John Sleeman said back in May. I think the prospect of Unibroue not being changed will all depend on the bottom line profit margin.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:50 pm

I hope the Unibroue workers are still brewing wicked beer after the dust settles... with or without Unibroue!

Business world sucks doesn't it.

northyorksammy · Post by **northyorksammy** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:07 pm

"
Business world sucks doesn't it.[/quote]"

not if I make over $100,000 for our fund on the investment

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:12 pm

StevenThrasher wrote:Whomever buys Sleeman PLEASE don't mess up Unibroue. I'm so happy I can buy Trois Pistoles at the beer store.

Sleeman didn't seem to do anything negative as far as I know. They improved the distribution into Ontario which I was quite happy about.

I view killing the 750mL bottles as negative, but that's just me.

I also view brewing their (Sleeman) brand as negative, but again, that's just me.

Stomp Brockmore · Post by **Stomp Brockmore** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:23 pm

Did they kill the 750ml bottles, or just kill their distribution throughout Ontario. I'm not sure, but as far as I know they're still selling and distributing them in Quebec and in the U.S.

If so, getting rid of them in Ontario probably had something to do with Sleeman wanting to appease The Beer Store and their stocking issues ("No bottle larger than 341ml! Damn you!") but I don't know.

Sambo · Post by **Sambo** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:18 pm

If so, getting rid of them in Ontario probably had something to do with Sleeman wanting to appease The Beer Store and their stocking issues "

yes

El Pinguino · Post by **El Pinguino** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:24 pm

I'm still dissapointed after looking at the Sleeman list for the TFOB that only Blanche de Chambly is going to made it here this year, along with a whack of the Sleeman lines. Come on....only one Unibroue beer???

At least add Maudite (or Trois Pistoles which I've never had on tap yet)

Andicus · Post by **Andicus** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:29 am

Sambo wrote:If so, getting rid of them in Ontario probably had something to do with Sleeman wanting to appease The Beer Store and their stocking issues "

yes

Does the LCBO have the same requirements? I didn't know they even had 750s at The Beer Store. Regardless, it is still a huge negative in my book, whatever the reasoning.

frosken · Post by **frosken** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:02 am

So... I haven't heard anything...

Did anyone bid on Sleeman???

GregClow · Post by **GregClow** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:12 pm

frosken wrote:So... I haven't heard anything...

Did anyone bid on Sleeman???

My understanding is that all bidding was private, and Sleeman plans to announce the winning bidder (if they even decide to sell) in the fall.

Belgian · Post by **Belgian** » Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:21 pm

Stomp Brockmore wrote:Did they kill the 750ml bottles,- probably - to appease The Beer Store and their stocking issues...

The 750mls I've returned are sometimes tossed in the 'glass bin' [*SMASH*] whereupon I tell the BS worker 'uh, there was a DEPOSIT on those ya know....'

(He looks at wall posting) 'Oh yeah you're right!'

My Loyal Comrade then refunds the deposit...

U-Boat Commander · Post by **U-Boat Commander** » Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:43 pm

I have been able to find the Unibroue 750 ml bottles. They are available some beer stores. I usually buy them at the store on Dupont.