The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, a global beverage company known for brands including White Claw Hard Seltzer, announced plans to acquire The Finnish Long Drink, a fast-growing ready-to-drink beverage brand.
The acquisition is expected to accelerate the growth and distribution of The Finnish Long Drink across North America, while expanding Mark Anthony’s presence in the competitive ready-to-drink category. The company has already supported the brand’s expansion in Canada as its exclusive distributor and will now scale its reach more broadly.
The Finnish Long Drink has gained significant traction in the United States since its launch in 2018, building a strong consumer following driven by its distinctive taste and heritage. The product traces its origins to Finland, where “long drinks” were first created for the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics and have since become one of the country’s most popular alcoholic beverages.
Founded by Finnish entrepreneurs Mikael Taipale, Ere Manner, and Sakari Manninen, along with American co-founder Evan Burns, the brand has positioned itself as a differentiated offering within the ready-to-drink market. In recent years, it has emerged as one of the fastest-growing brands in the category, supported by a loyal customer base and increasing market awareness.
As part of the transaction, The Finnish Long Drink will leverage Mark Anthony’s experience in building and scaling beverage brands, including its success with White Claw and other ready-to-drink products. The partnership is expected to enhance distribution, marketing, and operational capabilities while maintaining the brand’s identity and consumer appeal.
The brand has also attracted notable supporters, including actor Miles Teller, who is a co-owner and advocate of the product.
Founded in 1972, The Mark Anthony Group of Companies has grown from a wine import business into an international beverage company with a portfolio spanning premium wines, spirits, and ready-to-drink products.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our focus has always been on building and scaling brands that stand out in their category and resonate with consumers. Long Drink has already established strong momentum and a clear point of difference in the RTD space, and we see a meaningful opportunity to build on that success by expanding its reach and bringing it to more consumers.”
Phil Rosse, CEO, The Mark Anthony Group of Companies
“Long drinks have been around in Finland for generations. When we set out to launch The Finnish Long Drink, we wanted to create a brand rich with tradition for generations to come.”
Mikael Taipale, Co-Founder and Chief Financial Officer, The Finnish Long Drink
“We’ve got an incredible fanbase and team that has propelled The Finnish Long Drink to be one of the breakout RTD brands, but many consumers are still yet to try it. Joining The Mark Anthony Group of Companies to leverage their track record of scaling iconic RTD brands gives us a huge opportunity to accelerate growth and introduce Long Drink to a much broader audience.”
Evan Burns, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, The Finnish Long Drink
“I first came across Long Drink as a fan — it felt different from anything else out there. With The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, we have the right partner to introduce the brand to even more people without losing what made people enjoy it in the first place.”
Miles Teller, Actor and Co-Owner, The Finnish Long Drink
