Eagle Rock Distributing of Colorado, which has its headquarters in Monument, is being sold to the largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S.

Miami-based Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits has reached an agreement “to acquire substantially all the assets of” Eagle Rock Distributing Co.’s Colorado operations, the company announced last month.

Transaction details are confidential, Eagle Rock Distributing of Colorado President Mike Economos said via email this week. Southern Glazer’s has agreed to purchase Eagle Rock’s Colorado operations, including its distribution network, inventory and equipment, he said.

The sale is anticipated to close this summer.

Eagle Rock Distributing Co. was founded in 2000, but traces its roots back to Atlanta Beverage Company, founded in 1930. Its Colorado operations were established in 2020.

Eagle Rock is a leading distributor of premium, craft and imported beers, seltzers, hard teas, alcoholic spirits, wine and non-alcoholic beverages throughout Colorado and Georgia. The company also distributes cider and other local products throughout Georgia, according to its website.

Across Colorado, the company distributes various brands, including products from Anheuser-Busch, Breckenridge Brewery, Elysian Brewing, Cutwater, Sazerac and others.

“We built a very strong business in Colorado and had every intention of continuing to grow it. That said, shifts in the industry created a situation where transitioning the business to a larger organization became the most responsible path forward,” Economos said. “Southern Glazer’s was the right fit because their culture and values closely align with ours, and we’re confident they will take great care of our employees, retailers and suppliers.”

Discussions with Southern Glazer’s occurred over several months before the companies reached an agreement, he said.

Acquiring Eagle Rock’s Colorado assets will expand Southern Glazer’s reach and strengthen its market capabilities in the state, the company said in a March 23 news release.

The sale “presents a powerful opportunity to distribute” Anheuser-Busch’s complete portfolio of products that are currently sold in Colorado, as well as a variety of brands from other suppliers, representatives said.

“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,” Wayne E. Chaplin, president and chief executive officer of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, said in the release. “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.”

In an April 2 notice to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Eagle Rock said it will shut down its facilities in Monument, Grand Junction, Loveland, Pueblo, Commerce City and Durango as a result of the sale.

Job losses are not expected to be extensive. Southern Glazer’s is expected to retain Eagle Rock employees, the company said.

“As part of Southern Glazer’s announced acquisition, our intention is to retain employees and continue operations. The reports suggesting widespread job losses or closures are not reflective of our plans,” the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer Amy Kickham said by email this week.

Both companies are working closely for a “seamless transition” and uninterrupted service for customers and suppliers, representatives said.

Southern Glazer’s will continue operations out of Eagle Rock’s existing Colorado facilities and distribute Eagle Rock’s portfolio across Colorado markets already served by the operation, according to the March 23 news release.

Eagle Rock will continue operating in Georgia.

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits was founded in 1968 in Florida, eventually becoming the largest distributor of wine and spirits in the nation.

Headquartered in Miami, the company has operations in 47 U.S. markets and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its Southern Glazer’s Travel Retail Sales & Export division in the Caribbean, Central and South America.