After building something of a cult following on Nantucket and in the Boston area, due in part to the popularity of its Whale's Tale Pale Ale, the owners of Cisco Brewers are looking to expand beyond their home base.

That's why the company just signed an agreement with Craft Brew Alliance Inc., of Portland, Ore., one that puts the larger brewer in charge of Cisco's distribution, giving it a much broader reach.

The deal will also make Craft Brew Alliance's Portsmouth, N.H., brewery a new manufacturing hub for Cisco's beers.

The company is also negotiating to buy a minority stake in Cisco Brewers, said Craft Brew Alliance's Andy Thomas. The chief executive said purchasing a controlling stake could be a possibility, but that type of deal isn't being discussed. For now, Cisco's five owners will maintain control.

Read More at Source | Boston Globe