Jackalope Brewing Company Acquires Black Abbey Brewing Company

Two of Nashville’s most established craft breweries are officially joining forces.

Jackalope Brewing Company has acquired Black Abbey Brewing Company, according to announcements released on January 22, 2026 through press outlets and Jackalope’s own social media channels. The move brings together two breweries with a shared history in Nashville’s modern craft beer scene and signals a new phase of growth for both brands.

Founded in 2011, Jackalope Brewing Company has become one of Nashville’s largest and most recognizable breweries, known for beers like Lovebird Strawberry Raspberry Wheat and Bearwalker Maple Brown. Black Abbey Brewing Company, founded in 2013, built a loyal following for its European inspired beers and monastic aesthetic, earning a reputation for thoughtful brewing and a strong sense of place within the Middle Tennessee beer community.

Under the acquisition, Black Abbey’s beers will continue to be brewed and sold as Black Abbey beers. According to the announcement, the brand’s identity, recipes, and ethos will remain intact, now supported by Jackalope’s production capabilities, distribution network, and resources. Fans can expect wider regional availability and an increased presence at festivals, events, and retail accounts.

Jackalope emphasized that this was not a transaction between unfamiliar parties. Leaders from both breweries highlighted their long standing relationship and shared values, framing the acquisition as a continuation rather than a departure. The language across announcements consistently focused on stewardship, community, and thoughtful expansion.

From a business perspective, the acquisition allows Jackalope to offer distributors, retailers, and restaurants a broader and more versatile portfolio of beers while maintaining local roots. Black Abbey gains stability and scale in a challenging craft beer market, where rising costs and increased competition have made independence harder to sustain.

As part of the deal, Black Abbey founder Carl Meier will join Jackalope’s sales team, continuing to build relationships and support accounts across the region. His involvement signals continuity and helps preserve the connection between Black Abbey and the community that supported it from the beginning.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, which is typical for privately held breweries. There were no announcements regarding closures, layoffs, or immediate operational changes beyond integration into Jackalope’s broader platform.

This acquisition reflects a broader shift in Nashville’s craft beer landscape, where legacy breweries are increasingly finding ways to grow together rather than go it alone. Rather than launching new brands from scratch, established breweries are combining strengths to remain competitive while keeping production and ownership local.

For Nashville beer drinkers, the message is straightforward. Black Abbey beers are staying. Jackalope is growing. And two longtime Nashville originals are stepping into a shared future built on familiarity, trust, and community.

We’ll be watching closely as this next chapter unfolds and look forward to seeing how both brands continue to shape the city’s beer scene.