Boneyard founder to get shares in Deschutes as part of the deal
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – In Bend, beer is big business, so a new business partnership announced Wednesday between Deschutes Brewery and Boneyard Beer is big news.
Michael LaLonde, chairman of the Deschutes brewery, told NewsChannel 21: “What’s happening is that Deschutes is taking over the Boneyard brand and all of their beer brands, their recipes, the location they have at Lake, the original Boneyard pub and tasting room. “
Boneyard co-founder Tony Lawrence is getting equity in the deal.
“Tony will actually take ownership of Deschutes Brewery,” said LaLonde. “So it’s really that Deschutes gets his brand, supported by everyone in the company. Tony gets the freedom to pursue his brand.”
Lawrence says he is excited about the potential of this deal for his long-passionate brand.
“When I travel outside the region, I see the feedback from the customers or their interest, or their own curiosity,” said Lawrence. “Now we can put that to work and see where the Boneyard brand is in history, along the West Coast, and where our IPAs and liquids we produce really fall.”
Deschutes founder Gary Fish says the announcement quickly became big news in the world of beer and craft brewing.
“Since we made the announcement at 10am this morning, we’ve been receiving calls from all over the country about this deal and about being able to get the Boneyard brand,” Fish said.
When asked if Boneyard will start mass distribution like Deschutes Brewery, LaLonde says they have big plans – but they will be done in small steps.
“At the moment we have a lot of big plans for Boneyard, but we want to make sure it works,” he said. “That will be baby steps. Right now they have Oregon distribution, a little bit in Washington, a little bit in Northern California. to other regions. “