Hundreds of Jobs Lost as Alcohol Distributor Lays Off Workforce Following Southern Glazer’s Acquisition

(Photo: Eagle Rock)

Eagle Rock, a Colorado-based alcohol distributor responsible for moving Anheuser-Busch and Sazerac products, is slated to lay off its entire Colorado workforce. The announcement comes weeks after the company was acquired by Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the largest alcohol distributor in America.

In a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed earlier this month, Eagle Rock said that it will permanently close down its six locations across Colorado “as a result of an asset sale,” effective June 5. According to The Street, the closure will impact 514 employees, many of whom are represented by the Teamsters Local 455 union.

The closure will affect worksites in Monument, Grand Junction, Loveland, Pueblo, Denver and Durango.

Eagle Rock is one of the largest beer distributors in Colorado, best known as the sole supplier of Anheuser-Busch products like Bud Light, Budweiser, Busch Light and Michelob Ultra. The company also supplies spirits brands from Sazerac (Buffalo Trace, Pappy Van Winkle, Fireball Cinnamon Whisky) alongside a variety of pre-mixed cocktails, wines and nonalcoholic alternatives.

Eagle Rock operates in both Colorado and Georgia, though only the company’s Colorado operations were acquired by Southern Glazer’s last month. Eagle Rock’s Georgia business still appears to be running and is responsible for approximately 400 employees, per its website.

Neither Eagle Rock nor Southern Glazer’s has issued an official statement on the layoffs.

Given the scale and speed of the closure, it seems likely that Southern Glazer’s acquired the alcohol distributor with the primary intention of securing rights to coveted portfolio brands like Anheuser-Busch and Sazerac.

In a public statement released in late March, Southern Glazer’s President and CEO Wayne E. Chaplin applauded Eagle Rock’s expansion in the state.

“This acquisition enables Southern Glazer’s to significantly expand its total beverage distribution in Colorado by adding high-profile brands to our portfolio that strategically align with our total beverage strategy,” Chaplin said.

“Eagle Rock has built a strong business in Colorado with a highly respected team and valued supplier partnerships. By bringing our organizations together, we can expand opportunities for suppliers and provide even greater choice and service for customers.”