Four Walls names new CEO
Four Walls, the Irish-American whiskey brand founded by three of the stars of hit comedy show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, will have spirits industry veteran Malte Barnekow at its helm. The post Four Walls names new CEO appeared first on The Drinks Business.
Four Walls, the Irish-American whiskey brand founded by three of the stars of hit comedy show It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, will have spirits industry veteran Malte Barnekow at its helm.
Launched in 2022 by Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day, Four Walls is something of a tribute to Paddy's Pub, the Irish-themed bar where their characters spend far too much time.
Since then, the brand has gone on to sponsor Wrexham AFC, the football club which McElhenney co-owns with Ryan Reynolds, and has expanded its distribution across the US – indeed, it will be arriving in Texas this month.
And now Four Walls also has a new CEO. Barnekow, whose CV includes his time as president of Casa Azul Spirits, his cofounding of RTD brand New York Cocktail Company, and his work on Pernod Ricard-owned Absolut Vodka, is perhaps most notable for co-founding Fords Gin in 2010, which was acquired by Brown-Forman in 2019.
Banekow said of his new role: "Four Walls has an incredible brand foundation thanks to its founding team, which has built a whiskey with real purpose and cultural resonance. In what has been a challenging year for the industry, they’ve created something truly special, and I’m excited to lead the brand into its next phase of commercial growth."
"We’re thrilled to have someone with Malte’s expertise join us. It’s an exciting time for the brand, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead," read a statement from co-founders Howerton, McElehnney and Day.
Among the other new appointments at Four Walls is the brand's commercial and trade strategy leader Andrew Brimer being made chief commercial officer, and marketing and communications head Ashley Purdum being named chief brand officer.
Launched in 2022 by Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney and Charlie Day, Four Walls is something of a tribute to Paddy's Pub, the Irish-themed bar where their characters spend far too much time.
Since then, the brand has gone on to sponsor Wrexham AFC, the football club which McElhenney co-owns with Ryan Reynolds, and has expanded its distribution across the US – indeed, it will be arriving in Texas this month.
And now Four Walls also has a new CEO. Barnekow, whose CV includes his time as president of Casa Azul Spirits, his cofounding of RTD brand New York Cocktail Company, and his work on Pernod Ricard-owned Absolut Vodka, is perhaps most notable for co-founding Fords Gin in 2010, which was acquired by Brown-Forman in 2019.
Banekow said of his new role: "Four Walls has an incredible brand foundation thanks to its founding team, which has built a whiskey with real purpose and cultural resonance. In what has been a challenging year for the industry, they’ve created something truly special, and I’m excited to lead the brand into its next phase of commercial growth."
"We’re thrilled to have someone with Malte’s expertise join us. It’s an exciting time for the brand, and we’re looking forward to what’s ahead," read a statement from co-founders Howerton, McElehnney and Day.
Among the other new appointments at Four Walls is the brand's commercial and trade strategy leader Andrew Brimer being made chief commercial officer, and marketing and communications head Ashley Purdum being named chief brand officer. 
