In January, VinePair broke the news of Reyes Beverage Group (RBG) buying a portion of Republic National Distributing Company’s (RNDC) national operation. Since then, a spate of mergers and acquisitions in the alcohol industry’s middle tier have made for a newsworthy first few months of 2026. Then, RBG expanded its acquisition with the purchase of five more RNDC markets earlier this month. In the past few weeks, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (SGWS) began scooping up Anheuser-Busch InBev (ABI) distributorships Clare Rose and Eagle Rock.
Today on the “VinePair Podcast,” VinePair contributing editor Dave Infante joins Adam, Joanna, and Zach to discuss the recent wave of middle-tier M&As. Why is RBG showing interest in becoming a major wine distributor? Why does SGWS want in on ABI’s beer and ready-to-drink business?
Zach is reading: New Report Ranks Most Popular Spirits Brands for Shots on American Menus
Joanna is reading: Martini Madness 2026
Adam is reading: At Banshee, Jen Murphy Goes All-In on Martinis, Guinness, and Neighborhood Hospitality
