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Image via Full Circle Brewing Co.

published on April 5, 2023 - 1:54 PM
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Full Circle Brewing announced today a merger with Speakeasy Ales and Lagers of San Francisco, bringing together two of the state’s largest Black-owned and operated breweries.

The merger is Full Circle’s second acquisition of a Bay Area brewery following the acquisition of Sonoma Cider in 2020 and rounds out the portfolio of the Full Circle Brand Family by adding traditional beer styles from Speakeasy’s lineup of brews.

With both brands operating for over 20 years, the combined production capacity of the Downtown Fresno brewery sits at more than 20,000 barrels — or 350,000 cases.

“We are excited to apply what we learned from revitalizing Full Circle and increasing sales by 5,000% to San Francisco’s longest running independent brewery,” said Full Circle’s CEO Arthur Moye in a press release. “We plan to breathe new life into current brands, and expand its range of products.”

Both Moye and Speakeasy CEO Ces Butner share similar stories, with each selling their businesses to purchase craft breweries in their respective communities.

Moye and his investment team acquired Full Circle Brewing Co. in 2016. They opened their tasting room in Downtown Fresno in 2021.

“I am excited for the passing of the baton to the next generation of Black Entrepreneurs in the craft beer space,” said Speakeasy CEO Ces Butner. “I will continue to sit on the advisory board, and look forward to seeing the Speakeasy brand grow and evolve.”

Both breweries share diverse teams with decades of experience in the brewing industry, with Speakeasy ales and lagers continuing to be represented in the Bay Area by Steven Bruce, one of the brand’s original founders.

Full Circle Brewing is also currently raising funds from independent investors through a StartEngine campaign aimed at closing the gap between Black brewers and access to capital that could potentially help them jump to full scale production.

You can find more about the StartEngine fundraiser at www.tapin.beer.


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