Beer distributor Clare Rose, founded in Patchogue, to be bought by national liquor and wine business Southern Glazer's

Longtime beer distributor Clare Rose Inc. of East Yaphank is being sold to major U.S. liquor and wine distributor Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, the purchasing company has announced.

Clare Rose, founded in Patchogue in 1936 as a small soda distributor, distributes Anheuser-Busch brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light and Busch Light, to nearly 5,000 restaurants, bars and retailers across Nassau and Suffolk counties. The sale, announced in March, is expected to close during the first half of the year, Miami-based Southern Glazer’s announced in a news release.

"We are thrilled to welcome the Clare Rose team to the Southern Glazer’s family," Wayne E. Chaplin, president and chief executive of Southern Glazer’s said in a statement. "Clare Rose’s long-standing reputation for operational excellence, coupled with its exceptional people and portfolio, makes this a natural fit for our growth strategy."

Officials with the two companies did not disclose the proposed purchase price of the deal, though the acquisition is expected to close in late May, Rose confirmed.

"For more than 90 years, Clare Rose has proudly served Long Island with unwavering dedication to our customers, brands, and community," Sean Rose, CEO of Clare Rose said in a statement.

"We couldn’t be more pleased to transition our business to another multi-generational family company that shares our values, our commitment to people, and our passion for building great brands," Rose said. 

The deal will add to Southern Glazer’s — one of the largest distributors of wine and liquor in the U.S. — existing local operations and expand its alcohol offerings, the company said. In addition to beer, the acquisition will also bring the distribution of "hard beverages" like Cutwater Spirits, Nütrl Vodka Seltzer and BeatBox Beverages.

Southern Glazer’s "plans to continue operations" at Clare Rose’s East Yaphank headquarters and distribution hub, the company said.

The liquor distributor has several facilities along Underhill Boulevard in Syosset, where it employs around 1,000 workers.

Southern Glazer's, a family-owned business,  has operations in 47 U.S. markets and Canada, the company said. 

In November, the company announced it had completed the purchase of Anheuser-Busch’s own in-house New York City distribution business, launching its recently regional distribution business Southern Glazer’s Beverage Company of New York.

The purchase allows Southern Glazer's to distribute Anheuser's line of products throughout Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx, the companies said.