MillerCoors, Tenth & Blake buy majority stake in Athens, Ga.’s Terrapin Beer

Someone just upped their turtle power.

Feds have already given the thumbs up for the $101 billion AB InBev-SABMiller mega-beer merger (all hail Beer Voltron). There were some stipulations — like the sale of SABMiller’s U.S. business, so now the likes of Miller Lite and High Life will come from Coors. Also as part of this agreement, AB InBev-SABMiller-Beer Voltron must seek a Department of Justice review of any future acquisitions of beer distributors or craft brands.

BUT, as the paperwork is being rewritten in blood, as the lawyers swill champagne during billable hours and as all those Scrooge McDuck silos get prepared to transfer unimaginable treasures from rich people to different rich people, MillerCoors’s craft company, Tenth & Blake, became a majority stake owner in Athens, Ga.’s Terrapin Beer Co. So, does that mean Terrapin will eventually become a Coors company?

It should be noted that the partners behind Terrapin sold a minority interest in the company to Tenth & Blake Beer Co. in 2012.

According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution:

The transaction is expected to close in August. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.

“Bringing Tenth and Blake on years ago allowed us to get to know each other better and realize the incredible potential of becoming a majority-owned partner with Tenth and Blake and MillerCoors,” Buckowski said in a release. “With Tenth and Blake’s dedication to helping us grow … we look forward to continuing to create innovative beers to share with beer lovers nationwide.”

….

Among Georgia craft brands, Terrapin is No. 2 in volume to Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing Co., which remains independent but has also been seeking to expand its reach.

Cue the exit music.