The drink is older than the company by 66 years. Finland’s government commissioned the original long drink, citrus soda and gin, for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, per the announcement of its sale. In 2018 an American, Evan Burns, and a group of Finnish co-founders put it in a can for the US. On April 13, 2026, the company behind White Claw agreed to buy it.
At a glance
| Brand | The Finnish Long Drink, canned gin-and-citrus cocktail, US launch 2018 |
| Co-founders | Evan Burns (CEO), Mikael Taipale (CFO), Ere Manner, Sakari Manninen |
| Celebrity co-founders | Miles Teller, Rickie Fowler, Kygo |
| Buyer | The Mark Anthony Group of Companies (White Claw, Mike’s Hard Lemonade) |
| Reported value | About $325 million including earnouts (Beer Marketer’s Insights) |
| Prior relationship | Mark Anthony was already its exclusive distributor in Canada |
An old drink, a new can
The long drink has been popular in Finland for about 70 years, the release says, and its co-founders wanted to bring it to North America. “We wanted to create a brand rich with tradition for generations to come,” said co-founder and CFO Mikael Taipale. The founders built the brand with famous partners: Food Dive lists actor Miles Teller, golfer Rickie Fowler and DJ and producer Kygo as celebrity co-founders. The release calls Teller “co-owner” and a super fan.
A distributor becomes the owner
The buyer knew the brand well before it bought it. Mark Anthony was Long Drink’s exclusive distributor in Canada, where the release describes it as one of the fastest-growing ready-to-drink offerings. It was the first acquisition under Phil Rosse, who became Mark Anthony’s CEO in January 2026, Food Dive reports, and fits the company’s aim to grow in ready-to-drink cocktails. “Long Drink has already established strong momentum and a clear point of difference in the RTD space,” Rosse said.
Neither side disclosed terms. Beer Marketer’s Insights reported a total valuation of about $325 million, “including multi-year earnouts based off global volume performance.” Part of the price, in other words, depends on how much Long Drink sells after the deal.
The actor who won’t talk numbers
Teller’s share is unknown. “I don’t really talk numbers,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, as quoted by Just Jared. “I was always taught that’s not in good taste.” “I see it more as a handshake and a partnership and the start of something,” he said of the sale, adding that brand awareness is still “in the single digits percentage-wise.” Burns, in the release, said joining Mark Anthony lets the brand “leverage their track record of scaling iconic RTD brands.”
What founders can take from it
- An earnout keeps the founders selling. With part of the reported value tied to future global volume, the founders’ payout depends on how the brand does after the sale.
- Your distributor may be your buyer. Mark Anthony saw Long Drink’s Canadian numbers first-hand before it bid.
- Famous co-founders bring reach, but the founders still run it. Teller is the famous face; Burns runs the company as CEO.
Related founders
- Charlie Morgan, Hazard’s Ballboy, Sells Au Vodka to Sazerac: another 2026 canned-cocktail brand bought by a big drinks group, with a celebrity investor.
- Shay Mitchell Sold Half of BÉIS. Her Job Didn’t Change.: a celebrity-founded consumer brand sale.
- Justin Gill Sold Bachan’s, His Grandma’s Sauce, for $400M: a 2026 sale built on a family recipe.
Sourcing: the April 13, 2026 announcement, the 1952 origin, the 2018 US launch, the co-founders’ names and roles, the Canadian distribution, and the Rosse, Burns and Taipale quotes are per Mark Anthony’s release on PR Newswire. Phil Rosse’s January start, the celebrity co-founders and the RTD context are per Food Dive (Laurel Deppen, April 14, 2026). The ~$325 million valuation and earnout structure are per Beer Marketer’s Insights (April 13, 2026; we read the public teaser). Miles Teller’s quotes are as told to The Hollywood Reporter and quoted by Just Jared (Maddy Lennon, April 17, 2026); we did not open the Hollywood Reporter piece. No portrait is used.
Frequently asked
Who bought The Finnish Long Drink?
The Mark Anthony Group of Companies, the owner of White Claw and Mike's Hard Lemonade, announced on April 13, 2026 that it would acquire the brand. It was already the exclusive distributor of Long Drink in Canada, and plans to expand it across North America.
How much was The Finnish Long Drink sold for?
The companies did not disclose terms. Beer Marketer's Insights reported a total valuation of about $325 million including multi-year earnouts tied to global volume, and Just Jared, citing The Hollywood Reporter, also reported about $325 million.
Who founded The Finnish Long Drink?
Mark Anthony's announcement names Evan Burns, the American co-founder and CEO, and Finnish co-founders Mikael Taipale (CFO), Ere Manner and Sakari Manninen. Food Dive lists actor Miles Teller, golfer Rickie Fowler and DJ Kygo as celebrity co-founders.
How much did Miles Teller make from the Long Drink sale?
He has not said. 'I don't really talk numbers,' he told The Hollywood Reporter, as quoted by Just Jared. His ownership percentage has not been disclosed.
