The co-founder of AB InBev’s Nütrl RTD brand has resurfaced in the drinks industry, buying into no- & low-alcohol beer ChillyOnes.
The North American start-up, whose range comprises two namesake SKUs, one at 3% ABV and the other at 0.3%, announced this week that Paul Meehan – along with his partner and fellow entrepreneur Melissa – has become a “significant investor” in the business. Meehan will also act as a “strategic advisor”.
Details on the size of the stake bought and the value paid were not disclosed.
ChillyOnes, which was founded by former professional ice-hockey player Tyson Barrie, initially debuted in the west of Canada and has since expanded its reach to Colorado in the US. Paul Meehan sold his Goodridge & Williams distillery in British Columbia – and with it the Nütrl brand – to AB InBev’s Labatt Breweries unit in Canada at the start of 2020.
“Paul’s expertise in navigating the complexities of the North American distribution landscape is invaluable,” said ChillyOnes CEO Matthew Clayton. “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.”
Paul Meehan added: “ChillyOnes is poised to do for the light-beer category what we did for spirits – stripping away the noise and focusing on what people want; high-quality, great-tasting, easy-going, sessionable low-calorie beers that fit their lifestyle.”
Last month, AB InBev added Nütrl to its roster of brands that will benefit from the group’s tie-up with FIFA and the FIFA World Cup. The RTD will be the ‘official hard seltzer sponsor’ of this summer’s soccer tournament, which will be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US.
