Founder sells 2 Gingers Whiskey to Beam

Local entrepreneur Kieran Folliard has sold his popular 2 Gingers Whiskey brand to Beam Inc., the largest U.S.-based spirits company.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Folliard, who founded four local Irish pubs, will join Beam as an executive and spokesman for the company's Irish whiskey brands.

"I'm going to be the face and really front the drive or lead the drive for the portfolio of Irish whiskeys," Folliard said. "There are four other ones. They'll be five total whiskeys from this Kilbeggan distillery in Ireland."

Currently, 2 Gingers is available only in Minnesota. Folliard hopes to eventually distribute it nationwide.

2 Gingers debuted in January and is available at more than 2,100 bars, restaurants and liquor stores in the state. The whiskey is distilled, aged, and bottled at an Irish distillery that Beam purchased shortly after the launch of 2 Gingers.

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