Alan accepting a 2010 World Beer Cup award for De Proef Brewery.

Cheers to friend Alan Shapiro, who yesterday announced the acquisition of the brands represented by SBS Imports, which he founded in Seattle ten years ago. Artisanal Imports of Austin, TX will now be the exclusive U.S. importer of Aspall Cyders from Suffolk, England; Batemans Ales from Lincolnshire, England; Bellegems Bruin from the Bockor Brewery in Bellegem, Belgium; and the De Proef Brewmaster’s & Collaboration Series from Lochristi, Belgium. The acquisition will become effective September 1, 2012.

Alan is a veteran of the craft beer and cider industry. After starting out as the first sales manager for pioneer Pete’s Brewing Company back in 1989, Shapiro then joined Pike Brewing and Merchant du Vin in 1995 before launching SBS Imports in 2003. He is also the co-founder of the REUNION-A Beer for Hope project and the driving force behind the Cider Summit artisanal cider festivals (Cider Summit Seattle coming on 9/8/12).

Again, congrats to Alan on his success with SBS Imports, and good luck to whatever challenge he takes on next! It sounds like he is leaving the brands in great hands with Artisanal.

Press Release:

August 26, 2012, Austin, TX & Seattle, WA

Artisanal Imports of Austin, TX is pleased to announce the acquisition of
the USA brand importing rights held by SBS Imports of Seattle, WA.
Artisanal will now be the exclusive U.S. importer of Aspall Cyders from
Suffolk, England; Batemans Ales from Lincolnshire, England; Bellegems Bruin
from the Bockor Brewery in Bellegem, Belgium; and the De Proef Brewmaster’s
& Collaboration Series from Lochristi, Belgium.  The acquisition will become
effective September 1, 2012.  Other terms were not disclosed.

“We have considerable respect for these brands and believe they will greatly
enhance our portfolio,” noted Artisanal President, Bob Leggett.  “We look
forward to building upon the foundation established by SBS to help the
brands achieve even greater success across the U.S.”

“I have had the pleasure of getting to know Bob and the Artisanal team over
the last several years and absolutely believe they are the right company to
continue to build these brands in the U.S. market,” added SBS President,
Alan Shapiro.  “We intend to maintain a close working relationship to ensure
a successful transition and future success for the portfolio.”

ABOUT ARTISANAL IMPORTS
Artisanal Imports was founded in 2001 by Lanny Hoff and Bob Leggett.  Based
in Austin, TX, Artisanal currently imports a number of world-class breweries
including Bosteels and Bockor from Belgium, Urthel, La Trappe, and Tilburg
from The Netherlands, Meantime, Nethergate, and Robinsons from England,
Sunner Kolsch from Germany, and Hue from Vietnam.  The Artisanal portfolio
is available in 46 states.  More information is available at:
www.artisanalimports.com.

ABOUT SBS IMPORTS
SBS was created by specialty beer industry veteran Alan Shapiro in 2002.
The SBS portfolio is currently available in 28 states.  Shapiro is also the
co-founder of the REUNION-A Beer for Hope project as well as the Cider
Summit series of artisanal cider festivals.  More information is available
at www.sbs-imports.com.