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Sleeman up for grabs
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 4:52 am
by antirealist
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?
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 10:20 am
by Hamilton Brian
You'd think someone in the know would want Sleeman just for the Unibroue portfolio.
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:32 am
by StevenThrasher
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.
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 12:36 pm
by John Aitken
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.
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 6:50 pm
by Belgian
I hope the Unibroue workers are still brewing wicked beer after the dust settles... with or without Unibroue!
Business world sucks doesn't it.
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 7:07 pm
by northyorksammy
"
Business world sucks doesn't it.[/quote]"
not if I make over $100,000 for our fund on the investment
Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:12 pm
by Andicus
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.
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:23 pm
by Stomp Brockmore
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.
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:18 pm
by Sambo
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
Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 11:24 pm
by El Pinguino
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)
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 1:29 am
by Andicus
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.
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 11:02 am
by frosken
So... I haven't heard anything...
Did anyone bid on Sleeman???
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:12 pm
by GregClow
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.
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:21 pm
by Belgian
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...
Posted: Fri Aug 04, 2006 9:43 pm
by U-Boat Commander
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.