Paul and Melissa Meehan, founders of Canadian RTD brand Nütrl Vodka, have acquired a stake in local low- and no-alcohol beer business ChillyOnes Beverages.
In a statement, ChillyOnes said the Meehans became “significant investors” in the business, with Paul Meehan also joining the company as a “strategic advisor”.
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The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Just Drinks has contacted ChillyOnes for further comment,
ChillyOnes was founded last year by National Hockey League veteran Tyson Barrie.
The company focuses on low-abv and non-alcoholic lager, with a range that includes a 3% lager and a 0.3% variant.
It made its debut in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta before expanding into the US state of Colorado.
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By GlobalDataThe firm plans to use the investment to support its bid to grow further in North America aiming to leverage “Meehan’s proven track record of taking homegrown brands to household names”.
Paul Meehan founded Canadian distiller Goodridge & Williams, the company behind Nütrl. He sold the business to AB InBev subsidiary Labatt Breweries of Canada in 2020.
ChillyOnes CEO Matthew Clayton said: “Our expansion strategy is aggressive but calculated. Paul’s expertise in navigating the complexities of the North American distribution landscape is invaluable.
“We are currently seeing solid velocity in western Canada and, as we push further into the US market, Paul’s guidance will ensure ChillyOnes becomes a household name from Alberta to Colorado and beyond.”
The company’s products are available in western Canada at retailers including Sobeys and Safeway. The beers are also listed in on-premise accounts such as Leopold’s Tavern locations and Boston Pizza franchises across northern Alberta.
In Colorado, the company reported “solid growth”, reaching “over 200 key retailers” in its first month.
Commenting on the partnership, Paul Meehan said: “I’ve always been drawn to brands that have a clear soul and a simple promise. ChillyOnes is also an incredible name, making it a terrifically valuable TradeMark. It has huge potential to lead a category, to define a new, modern perspective when it comes to buying and drinking beer.”
