Comiter Singer Closes Funky Buddha Brewery Reacquisition

Comiter Singer, LLP, a leading law firm specializing in estate and federal income tax planning, mergers and acquisitions, and trust and estate litigation, represented the founders of Funky Buddha Brewery in their reacquisition of the business from Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B).  The deal closed June 23, 2023.
 
Funky Buddha was founded in Boca Raton by husband and wife Ryan and Giani Sentz. Ryan’s brother, KC Sentz, and his wife, Melissa Sentz, joined the business as demand for the company’s beers grew.  In 2013, the owners founded Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, South Florida’s largest microbrewery by size and volume and Florida’s biggest tap room by beer sales.  Funky Buddha’s flagship beers, Hop Gun and Floridan, are currently available at hundreds of locations across Florida, and its culinary beers have gained national acclaim and received top medals from both the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.  Constellation Brands—which found success with Mexican import brands such as Corona and Modelo—purchased Funky Buddha in 2017.  Ryan and KC Sentz remained involved in the business after that 2017 deal and are pleased to have now reacquired the business on undisclosed terms. 
 
Comiter Singer partner Andrew R. Comiter led the firm’s representation of Funky Buddha’s founders.  Andrew’s practice focuses on business transactions, income and estate tax planning, and wealth transfer planning.  He was assisted by Brad Gould and Devon Goldberg.  Scott Atherton, who is now a minority owner of Funky Buddha, represented himself.  “We were excited to assist on this deal.  Ryan and KC put their heart and soul into making Funky Buddha a household name; we were delighted to assist them in the reacquisition of the company and are excited to see what they accomplish in the next phase of the business,” said Comiter.  

About Comiter Singer, LLP’s Corporate Practice: Comiter Singer’s corporate practice primarily focuses on representing sellers in a broad range of transactions, often integrating income, estate, and gift tax planning, asset protection, and traditional transactional advice. The firm’s client base ranges from high-net-worth individuals and closely held family-owned companies to large national and international corporations. For example, the firm recently represented World War Z game developer Saber Interactive in a $525 million sale to Swedish video game holding company Embracer Group. More information about Comiter Singer’s corporate practice is available HERE.