The Wirtz Liquor Empire Grows

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 28, 2008 7:24PM

The Tribune reports today that Wirtz Beverage Group, which is best known locally as Judge & Dolph, Ltd., is in the final stages of purchasing Glazer's Distributors of Illinois. When the deal is finalized, Wirtz Beverage group will once again become the largest distributor of beer, wine and spirits in the state.

Glazer's, which operates locally as Union Beverage/National Wine and Spirits (best known for getting Larry Bell to take his kegs and haul ass out of the state two years ago) owns the franchise rights to distribute Brown Forman spirits (Jack Daniels), E&J Gallo wines, and numerous smaller brands, will cease operations effective June 30. That same day Judge & Dolph, LLC, rises from the ashes, taking over the distribution rights for all of Glazer's holdings while retaining the rights for Diageo Brands, Barton Brands, Ketel One, and their other holdings.

The deal shines a brighter light on the fast pace with which liquor distribution in Illinois has consolidated over the past 5-7 years. It's especially been picking up with a major quickness since Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois bought into the state wholesaler system in 2003 by buying outright Pacific Wine and Spirits and Romano Brothers Distribution Company. Between the new Wirtz venture and Southern Wine and Spirits, bars and restaurants will have no choice but to do business with them if they want to keep the popular brands of spirits and wine behind in stock. While we aren't crying "duopoly" by any means (having worked as a bar manager we have nothing but high praise for Southern Wine and Spirits' customer service; the squeaky wheel gets the grease), we wonder how long before the cost of the merger will be passed down to the consumer in the form of a pricier cocktail.