Cisco Brewers
A Nantucket-based brewery, distillery, and winery known for locally rooted beer, spirits, and wine brands.
Last updated August 24, 2026
AI crawler reads
4requests
1companies- Anthropic4
- Profile
- 2
- Controversies
- 0
- JSON · MD
- 0
- First read
- Nov 4, 2026
- Latest read
- Nov 4, 2026
From this site's server log
Overview
Cisco Brewers is a beverage producer based on Nantucket Island in Massachusetts, United States. Its business combines beer brewing with distilling and winemaking, giving it a broader portfolio than a conventional single-category craft brewery. The company is associated with Nantucket’s visitor economy and presents itself as a distinctly island-based producer, with products and experiences tied to the local setting. The brewery began in 1992, when Randy and Wendy Hudson moved into a loft above Nantucket Vineyard, a winery founded by Dean and Melissa Long in 1981. The Hudsons started making beer at the winery site in an improvised outdoor brewing area described as a nanobrewery. This early arrangement helped establish Cisco Brewers as a small, hands-on operation rather than a large industrial producer. A later move to the Mortan Building temporarily prevented the company from selling beer during July and August 1996. The disruption became part of the brand’s identity through the slogan “Nice beer, if you can get it.” Cisco Brewers developed alongside related Nantucket alcohol businesses. Nantucket Vineyard had originally attempted to cultivate grapes on the island but shifted to importing grapes from California, Washington, and New York after local growing conditions proved unsuitable. In 2000, after a Massachusetts license application initiated in 1997 was approved, the associated distilling operation began producing high-proof spirits. Triple Eight Distillery took its name from Nantucket well number 888, whose water was used for its vodka. The distilling program also included Notch Whiskey, which was intended to mature for five years; vodka provided an earlier source of revenue while the whiskey aged. The company expanded its commercial reach through a relationship with Craft Brew Alliance. Craft Brew Alliance acquired a minority interest in Cisco Brewers in 2015, arranged for production at its Portsmouth, New Hampshire, facility, and became the brand’s master distributor. In 2018, Craft Brew Alliance acquired Cisco Brewers outright for $23 million. Craft Brew Alliance was subsequently acquired by AB InBev in 2020, placing Cisco Brewers within the global brewer’s portfolio while retaining its association with Nantucket and its local-origin positioning. Cisco Brewers’ portfolio includes beer, distilled spirits, and wine. Its beer range includes craft-style offerings such as light lager, while its spirits activity is represented by Triple Eight Distillery and products including vodka and whiskey. The brand has also used partnerships to connect products with environmental and marine causes. Its support for OCEARCH’s shark research led to a great white shark tagged near Nantucket in 2016 being named Cisco, and the company produces Shark Tracker Light Lager in support of that relationship. The brand’s core appeal is a combination of regional authenticity, destination-based hospitality, and category breadth. It is not positioned primarily as a mass-market global label; instead, its identity depends on Nantucket provenance, seasonal tourism, craft production, and links to local or maritime culture. Its current corporate ownership gives it access to a larger distribution and production system, but the available reference material continues to describe Cisco Brewers through its Nantucket roots and its integrated brewery, distillery, and winery model.
History
Cisco Brewers’ history is closely connected with the development of Nantucket’s small-scale wine, beer, and spirits businesses. Nantucket Vineyard, a related winery, was established in 1981 by Dean and Melissa Long. The Longs initially attempted to grow grapes on Nantucket, but the island’s climate and soil were not suitable for commercial grape cultivation. They therefore began importing grapes from California, Washington, and New York for winemaking. In 1992, Randy and Wendy Hudson moved into a loft above the winery and began producing beer at the site. Brewing took place almost entirely outdoors, apart from the cold-room facilities. This informal production arrangement was characterized as a nanobrewery and became the foundation for Cisco Brewers. The company later moved to the Mortan Building in 1996. Construction-related restrictions meant that Cisco could not sell beer during July and August of that year, an especially significant interruption for a Nantucket business dependent on seasonal activity. The episode inspired the slogan “Nice beer, if you can get it,” which became part of the brand’s early character. The operation expanded into distilled spirits during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Dean Long applied to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1997 for a license to manufacture high-proof spirits. Approval arrived in the fall of 2000. The distilling plan included Notch Whiskey, designed to mature for five years. Because whiskey would not immediately generate saleable inventory, the business also produced vodka. The vodka operation was named Triple Eight Distillery after Nantucket well number 888, whose water was used in its production. The company also raised capital for the whiskey program by allowing customers to purchase futures on barrels of Notch Whiskey. Cisco Brewers subsequently developed a relationship with Craft Brew Alliance. In 2015, Craft Brew Alliance purchased a minority stake and took on a larger role in manufacturing and distribution. Cisco beer began to be produced at Craft Brew Alliance’s facility in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and Craft Brew Alliance became Cisco’s master distributor. This arrangement gave the Nantucket brand access to a more scalable production and distribution infrastructure while preserving its island-based identity. In 2018, Craft Brew Alliance completed the acquisition of Cisco Brewers for $23 million. Two years later, in 2020, AB InBev acquired Craft Brew Alliance. As a result, Cisco Brewers became part of AB InBev through the ownership chain, although the brand continued to be identified with Nantucket and with its combined brewery, distillery, and winery model. The company’s partnership with OCEARCH added an environmental and marine dimension to its public identity. Cisco Brewers supported OCEARCH’s shark research work, and a great white shark tagged near Nantucket in October 2016 was named Cisco. The brewery also produces Shark Tracker Light Lager in support of that relationship. This activity illustrates how Cisco has connected product marketing with Nantucket’s maritime setting and conservation-related themes. Across its development, Cisco Brewers has remained a multi-category craft beverage brand. Its product scope includes beer, spirits, and wine, while its positioning emphasizes local provenance, seasonal destination culture, and a hands-on production heritage. The company’s ownership and distribution structure have changed substantially since its nanobrewery beginnings, but its public identity remains anchored in Nantucket.
- 2020
Cisco Brewers enters the AB InBev portfolio
[1]AB InBev acquires Craft Brew Alliance, indirectly bringing Cisco Brewers under AB InBev ownership.
- 2018
Craft Brew Alliance completes acquisition
[1]Craft Brew Alliance wholly acquires Cisco Brewers for $23 million.
- 2016
OCEARCH partnership gains a named shark
[1]A great white shark tagged near Nantucket is named Cisco in recognition of the brewery’s support for OCEARCH research.
- 2015
Craft Brew Alliance takes a minority stake
[1]Craft Brew Alliance invests in Cisco Brewers and assumes manufacturing and distribution responsibilities for the beer brand.
- 2000
Triple Eight Distillery begins production
[1]After receiving approval in the fall, the distilling operation begins producing vodka and developing Notch Whiskey.
- 1997
Application for a high-proof spirits license
[1]Dean Long applies to Massachusetts authorities for a license to manufacture high-proof spirits.
- 1996
Move to the Mortan Building
[1]Cisco Brewers moves to a new building and temporarily loses the ability to sell beer during July and August because of construction.
- 1992
Cisco Brewers begins brewing on Nantucket
[1]Randy and Wendy Hudson begin producing beer at the Nantucket Vineyard site in an outdoor nanobrewery.
- 1981
Nantucket Vineyard is founded
[1]Dean and Melissa Long establish Nantucket Vineyard, the winery associated with the later development of Cisco Brewers.
Products and positioning
A Nantucket-rooted craft beverage brand combining beer, spirits, and wine with destination hospitality and maritime environmental associations.
Beer · 1992
Cisco beer
Cisco Brewers’ original and central product category, developed from the outdoor Nantucket nanobrewery established in 1992. The beer portfolio represents the brand’s craft-brewing heritage and is associated with the island setting, seasonal tourism, and a locally rooted identity. Production later expanded through Craft Brew Alliance’s Portsmouth, New Hampshire, facility.
Beer
Shark Tracker Light Lager
A light lager associated with Cisco Brewers’ support for OCEARCH shark research. The product links the brewery’s beer business with marine conservation and Nantucket’s coastal identity, and takes its name from shark-tracking activity supported by the partnership.
Vodka · 2000
Triple Eight vodka
Vodka produced through the company’s distilling operation, which became known as Triple Eight Distillery. The name refers to Nantucket well number 888, whose water was used in production. Vodka was introduced as an immediately saleable spirit while the company’s whiskey matured.
Whiskey · 2000
Notch Whiskey
A single-malt whiskey developed by the distilling operation associated with Cisco Brewers. The original plan called for the whiskey to age for five years. Because maturation delayed revenue, the company supplemented the program with vodka and offered barrel futures to help raise capital.
Wine · 1981
Nantucket wine
Wine produced through the Nantucket Vineyard operation associated with Cisco Brewers. Because local conditions were unsuitable for growing grapes at commercial scale, the winery used grapes imported from California, Washington, and New York.
Marketing campaigns
- 2016OCEARCH shark research partnership
United States
Cisco Brewers supported OCEARCH’s research into sharks and helped connect the brand with marine conservation. A great white shark tagged near Nantucket in October 2016 was named Cisco.
Outcome. The partnership produced a direct connection between the Cisco name and a tracked great white shark, and supported the Shark Tracker Light Lager product.
Brand decisions
2020
Become part of AB InBev through Craft Brew AllianceM&ABackground
AB InBev acquired Craft Brew Alliance, Cisco Brewers’ corporate parent at the time.
Action taken
Cisco Brewers entered AB InBev’s portfolio through the acquisition of Craft Brew Alliance.
Aftermath
The ownership chain connected the Nantucket brand to a global brewing group while its public identity remained centered on local beer, spirits, and wine production.
2018
Sell Cisco Brewers to Craft Brew AllianceM&ABackground
After the minority-investment and distribution relationship established in 2015, Craft Brew Alliance moved to acquire the entire business.
Action taken
Craft Brew Alliance completed the acquisition of Cisco Brewers for $23 million.
Aftermath
Cisco Brewers became part of Craft Brew Alliance and later entered AB InBev’s portfolio when AB InBev acquired Craft Brew Alliance in 2020.
Acquisition price. $23 million (2018)
2015
Accept minority investment from Craft Brew AllianceM&ABackground
Cisco Brewers sought a broader production and distribution platform while maintaining its Nantucket-rooted brand.
Action taken
Craft Brew Alliance purchased a minority stake, began producing Cisco beers at its Portsmouth facility, and became the master distributor.
Aftermath
The relationship led to Craft Brew Alliance’s full acquisition of Cisco Brewers in 2018.
Recent events
Reported
Cisco Brewers releases Summer Rays Golden Ale[3]
Cisco Brewers released Summer Rays Golden Ale, a summer seasonal beer and the first release featuring the refreshed brand design and 16-ounce pack size. It was available in twelve-packs of 12-ounce cans and four-packs of 16-ounce cans.
Reported
Cisco Brewers unveils refreshed logo and packaging[3]
Cisco Brewers unveiled an updated logo and packaging design for its seasonal and year-round beer lineup. The rollout across New England was planned for spring and summer, with a full transition planned by fall.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/cisco-brewers · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled