Lessons on Navigating California's Turbulent Craft Distribution Market with Kevin McGee

Kevin McGee used his law degree more than he expected when his family took over legacy California craft brewery Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC), including in legal battles over distribution rights. 

 

Now that the family has sold the brewery,  a move announced in March, McGee is putting his degree to use full time. 

 

On the latest edition of the Brewbound Podcast, McGee recounts recent franchise law cases and victories in the Golden State and shares his expectations for more challenges to craft brewers' ability to switch distributors in the future. 

 

McGee, who acted as AVBC's president and CEO, also shares when he and his family knew it was the right time to sell the brewery. He explains what brewery owners thinking about selling need to consider, how they should prepare and what the current buyer market looks like.

 

Before the conversation, Brewbound editor Justin Kendall and senior reporter Zoe Licata discuss Anheuser-Busch InBev's sale of its New York City wholly owned distributor to Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits and why they believe more moves are on the way.

 

Plus, Justin and Zoe play Another Round or Tabbing Out on Spindrift pulling the plug on its spiked seltzer brand and the crossover bev-alc market.