MicroStar Logistics acquires KegCraft, expands network to help craft breweries grow

MicroStar Logistics, a leading keg solutions provider for the beer industry, has been constantly growing and expanding its services for craft breweries of all sizes. In its latest move, the company has acquired KegCraft, a regional supplier of keg management services for midsize craft brewers. This acquisition complements MicroStar’s national network of 2-million+ kegs, the largest independently-owned float in North America, utilized by about half of the 50 largest craft brewers.

“Ben Shipper and Cindy Perpich created KegCraft to help regionally-focused, midsize brewers grow,” said MicroStar’s President and CEO Michael Hranicka. “We are excited to build upon KegCraft’s successful platform and leverage MicroStar’s more expansive resources to grow the KegCraft model nationally. This acquisition, in addition to our recent purchase of Tosca’s industry-leading Keg Quality Division, allows us to offer a full suite of keg-related solutions: MicroStar for large brewers; KegCraft for midsize brewers; new and used keg sales and leasing programs; keg repair and maintenance services; operational diagnostics and more. We are delighted to be a part of the craft beer community and committed to meeting the expanding needs of brewers.”

“Over the years, Cindy and I focused on customizing a keg program to help midsize brewers grow in very specific regions,” said Ben Shipper, KegCraft’s founder and president. “As our brewers continued to rapidly expand, we began looking for a partner to help us manage their needs. Once we met with MicroStar’s new management team and learned more about their recent investments in Keg Quality Services (Tosca), brewery diagnostics, local quality and sales support, etc. we realized they were the perfect strategic partner for KegCraft.”

Shipper will join MicroStar’s leadership team as vice president and general manager, KegCraft Division. KegCraft will operate under Ben’s proven leadership and offer a separate pool of KegCraft-branded kegs, in addition to providing new and used keg sale and lease options. He will continue to focus on helping midsize, regionally-focused brewers grow. As midsize brewers’ distribution footprint grow and their needs become more complex, they can easily transition into the MicroStar pooled-keg program for larger, national brewers.

For more info on MicroStar’s service offering, be sure to check out this story: Do the keg management math: Is a pooled-asset model right for you or watch the video below: