Blake’s Beverage Company and Benchmark Beverage Company — two Michigan-born, family-owned brands — are teaming up in a bold new partnership to accelerate growth and shake up the beyond-beer category with fresh innovation and national scale.
While both companies will continue to operate independently, Blake’s and Benchmark are joining forces to accelerate growth across key beverage categories. This partnership brings together Blake’s robust distribution network and marketing expertise with Benchmark’s fast-growing portfolio and cutting-edge technology—positioning both companies to strengthen their current offerings and fuel future innovation.
Blake’s Beverage Company powers one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic beyond-beer portfolios, featuring Blake’s Hard Cider, Austin Eastciders, and AVID Cider Co. Backed by a powerful national sales engine, expansive distribution network, and proven brand-building expertise, Blake’s is setting the pace in the rapidly evolving fourth category beverage space.
Benchmark Beverage Company—owned by the Lipari, Mascari, and Arabo families, each with decades of experience in food and beverage—has quickly earned a reputation as a rising force in spirits and beer, with standout brands like Dark Horse and Brew Detroit. Backed by a multi-disciplinary team specializing in product development, compliance, and technology, the company also leverages a cutting-edge AI platform that helps retailers connect with the perfect products from its portfolio.
“This partnership represents the next step in our evolution and allows us to explore and enter new categories,” said Andrew Blake, Founder and CEO of Blake’s Beverage Company. “By aligning with Benchmark, we’re able to leverage our shared strengths, networks, and entrepreneurial mindsets to optimize new growth opportunities and bring incredible products to more consumers than ever before.”
The timing couldn’t be better. The global market for fruit-flavored alcoholic beverages is projected to reach $17.5 billion, with the flavored malt beverage (FMB) segment alone expected to surpass $4 billion by 2025. With a combined portfolio spanning spirits, beer, malt beverages, and cider, Blake’s and Benchmark are uniquely positioned to lead this next wave of category expansion.
“Our focus has always been on creating value for our distribution partners by truly understanding their vision and taking their products to the next level,” said Auday Arabo, President and CEO of Benchmark Beverage Company. “Collaborating with Blake’s Beverage Company will allow us to lead in the beyond-beer sector. Working together, we can innovate and grow much more efficiently and faster than we could on our own.”
This is more than a partnership, it’s a signal for what’s next in beverage. From craft cider to spirits, beer to FMBs, Blake’s and Benchmark are setting the stage for bold growth and category leadership.
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