Acquisitions and buyouts aren’t just done by Big Beer. Larger regional craft brewing companies have shown they are willing to pick up smaller breweries. For instance, Oscar Blues bought out Cigar City after weeks of rumors that they were being bought out by AB InBev. Regional breweries and investment companies, like Greg Koch’s new business, offer craft breweries another option to get the capital they need to expand distribution.

Odin Brewing acquired Hilliard’s Beer yesterday. Hilliard’s is also the former employer of Bellingham’s own Chad Kuehl, owner of Wander Brewing. Hilliard produced about 3,300 barrels in 2014 and Odin Brewing, from Tukwila, was brewing about 3,100 barrels a year. As perspective, Aslan Brewing produces about 5,000 barrels a year.

According to a press release on Facebook, some of Hilliard’s tanks in Ballard to Odin’s new home in Tukwila.

“We are excited about the opportunity of adding the Hilliard’s lineup to our expanding portfolio of products”, says Dan Lee, owner Odin Brewing Company. “This deal will allow us to grow our capacity, improve our packaging capabilities and grow share in an ever expanding market.”

Ryan Hillard, owner of Hillard’s, will be leaving the craft market to pursue other interests.

“It’s not often that deals like this come along, and when they do you have to be ready to move on them. I have enjoyed my time in the craft beer sector and am thrilled my namesake beer will live on in good hands. The arrangement with Odin also opens the door for a current craft brewery or a new start up brewery to step in to our existing Ballard facility with a separate turn-key arrangement.”

Hillard’s taproom and brewery will be put up for sale in the coming week as a turn key opportunity for a new or expanding brewery.

Inquiries for the Hilliard’s Brewery and taproom can be sent directly to: Kingcountybrewery@gmail.com