Pamela and Oliver Brulotte are retiring and have sold a majority stake in Icicle Brewing. The new majority owners are Shelly and Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms, a fifth-generation hop farm in the Yakima Valley. CLS is a family-owned farm, and also happens to be part of the Icicle family, so to speak. Short version: Oliver Brulotte and Eric Desmarais are second cousins.
While this news is fresh, and details are forthcoming, all appearances suggest this is good news for all parties involved. A positive exit outcome is not easy to achieve in today’s craft beer industry. Pamela and Oliver have built a great brewery and deserve to move on happily, on their own terms. Beyond the beer, Icicle Brewing has been a force in the industry. The Washington Beer Blog is happy for Pamela and Oliver, and we look forward to learning what lies ahead.
FOUNDERS OF ICICLE BREWING COMPANY PASS THE TORCH TO LONGTIME FAMILY, HOP INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND FRIENDS
Leavenworth, Wash. June 9, 2026 – Icicle Brewing Company announced today that founders Pamela and Oliver Brulotte are retiring and selling their majority ownership to Shelley and Eric Desmarais of CLS Farms, a fifth-generation family-owned hop farm based in Yakima, Washington.
The ownership transition marks the culmination of a thoughtful succession plan designed to preserve the culture, independence, and values that have defined Icicle Brewing Company since its founding. The brewery will continue to operate as an independent company under the leadership of CEO Joel Martinez, VP of Wholesale Operations Jason Leal, and VP of Sales & Marketing Chris Danforth, all of whom will maintain their ownership interests and continue leading day-to-day operations.
“This is not a decision we came to lightly,” said Pamela Brulotte. “Icicle has never been just a business to us. It has been a purpose, a passion, a gathering place, and a shared labor of love. When we began thinking about retirement, our priority was finding people we trusted to carry forward what makes this brewery special. Shelley and Eric share our values, understand our industry, and care deeply about our people and community.”
The relationship between the Brulotte and Desmarais families spans generations. Oliver and Eric are second cousins, and their fathers were lifelong friends. Both families have deep roots in Washington agriculture and the hop industry. Over the years, CLS Farms and Icicle Brewing have collaborated closely through hop sourcing, brewery collaborations, charitable initiatives, and a shared commitment to supporting independent craft beer. Pam and Shelley have also worked together for many years on the One in Eight breast cancer fundraising initiative, supporting those facing breast cancer diagnoses.
“Long before ownership discussions began, there was friendship, trust, and a shared belief in the importance of family-owned businesses,” said Shelley Desmarais. “What attracted us to Icicle was not only the quality of the beer and the strength of the brand, but the people. The team has built something special. We are excited to support that success and help ensure Icicle remains a strong, independent brewery for generations to come.”
The ownership transition comes during a successful time for the brewery. Despite a challenging environment for independent craft brewers around the country, Icicle Brewing has achieved five consecutive years of double-digit growth in distribution. In addition, they have earned six World Beer Cup medals in the past four years and were named Large Brewery of the Year at the 2023 Washington Beer Awards.
“This transition is happening from a position of strength,” said Joel Martinez, CEO of Icicle Brewing Company. “Our team has worked incredibly hard to build momentum, expand our distribution footprint, and continue raising the bar for quality. What excites me most is that the things that matter most to our employees, customers, distributors, and community are not changing.”
“For our employees, distributors, retail partners, and customers, the most important message is that the team they work with every day remains unchanged,” said Chris Danforth, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “The foundation of Icicle’s success has always been its people. We’re excited to continue building on that success alongside Shelley and Eric while staying true to the values and culture that brought us here.”
As part of the transition:
- Icicle Brewing Company will remain an independent brewery.
- Icicle will continue brewing beer in Leavenworth and operating from its existing brewery and taproom facilities.
- CEO Joel Martinez and the existing management team will remain in place.
- Employee ownership held by Joel Martinez, Jason Leal, and Chris Danforth remains unchanged, preserving leadership continuity across brewery operations, wholesale operations, taproom operations, and sales and marketing.
- Employee positions, compensation programs, and benefits remain unchanged.
- Distributor, retailer, supplier, and community relationships remain unchanged.
“Our role is not to change what is working,” said Eric Desmarais. “The brewery has a proven leadership team, outstanding employees, and a track record of growth and excellence. We believe in the people who have built Icicle into what it is today, and we are excited to support them as they continue writing the next chapter of the brewery’s story.”
Looking ahead, Icicle Brewing and the Desmarais family share a vision centered on innovation, quality, community, and long-term sustainability. Together, they will continue strengthening the connection between farmers and brewers while preserving the independent spirit that has defined both organizations for decades.
ABOUT ICICLE BREWING COMPANY
Founded in 2010 by Pamela and Oliver Brulotte, Icicle Brewing Company is an award-winning independent craft brewery and brewpub located in Leavenworth, Washington. Guided by its mission of inspiring connection and joy by crafting exceptional products and fostering meaningful experiences that respect our world and enrich our communities, Icicle remains committed to quality, sustainability, and community. Today, the company is proudly family- and employee-owned and remains dedicated to brewing great beer and creating memorable experiences for the communities it serves.
ABOUT SHELLEY AND ERIC DESMARAIS
Shelley and Eric Desmarais own CLS Farms, a fifth-generation, family-owned hop farm based in Yakima, Washington. Guided by a commitment to stewardship, innovation, and family values, they have helped build CLS into a leading supplier of premium hop varieties, partnering with breweries around the world to help create exceptional beer. Through their work in agriculture, brewing, and community involvement, Shelley and Eric remain dedicated to supporting the long-term success of independent brewing and the communities it serves.
