Goose Island to be aquired by Anheuser‑Busch

[newcigarz]

CHICAGO (March 28, 2011) - Chicago-based Goose Island, one of the nation's most‑respected and fastest-growing small brewers with sales concentrated throughout the Midwest, today announced it had agreed to be acquired by Anheuser‑Busch, its current distribution partner, in a move that will bring additional capital into Goose Island's operations to meet growing consumer demand for its brands and deepen its Chicago and Midwest distribution.

full article:

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/3645461

[RevSmoke]

That is too bad. Everytime micro- or craft-brewers are joined to big brewing companies (Miller, A-B, Coors, etc..), the quality of their brews drops significantly.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

That is too bad. Everytime micro- or craft-brewers are joined to big brewing companies (Miller, A-B, Coors, etc..), the quality of their brews drops significantly.

If that happens, that sucks. GI makes several of my favorite beers and seasonal releases.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

That is too bad. Everytime micro- or craft-brewers are joined to big brewing companies (Miller, A-B, Coors, etc..), the quality of their brews drops significantly.

Originally Posted by icehog3

If that happens, that sucks. GI makes several of my favorite beers and seasonal releases.

I happened to Leinenkugel when it was bought out by Miller. Great beers became watered down pee-water.

I pray it doesn't happen either, for I enjoy a number of Goose Island brews.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

[CoreyD]

I'm still awaiting for someone to piss on the great tasting New Glarus Brewing Company that same way they did leinies

[IBQTEE1]

This is not going to be a good thing. I am going to hold on to my bottles of Bourbon County Stout.

[kaisersozei]

Isn't this similar to the A-B/Redhook deal a few years ago? My memory is fading, but IIRC Redhook was challenged in getting their product distributed much past the Rockies so they did a deal with the devil and it ultimately helped them out.

[kydsid]

I can only hope they see the light and do what Yuengling did and walk away. As noted above I don't think a single merger of a craft brewery to one of the major two breweries in the US has done anything but ruin the craft beer.


RIP

Rolling Rock
Leinenkugel
Posted via Mobile Device

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by kaisersozei

Isn't this similar to the A-B/Redhook deal a few years ago? My memory is fading, but IIRC Redhook was challenged in getting their product distributed much past the Rockies so they did a deal with the devil and it ultimately helped them out.

From what I remember Redhook was mediocre before and mediocre now

I would imagine that GI will benefit for a while but some of the special stuff, like BCBS Rare, might be in trouble if the beers are deemed to not have enough financial reward for the effort it takes to make them.

[BeerAdvocate]

I hope they dont start brewing with Corn & Rice!

[awsmith4]

Looks like the first big change has already taken place

http://www.gooseisland.com/pages/pre...8_2011/216.php

[Zeuceone]

the local micro brewery has anhesuser-busch distribute there product 100miles away from the brewery.

[icehog3]

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

the local micro brewery has anhesuser-busch distribute there product 100miles away from the brewery.

So will it still be an independant brewery with A-B just involved in distribution?

[Zeuceone]

Originally Posted by icehog3

So will it still be an independant brewery with A-B just involved in distribution?

thats what they said. a lot of people brought up the point about them still being independant. they responded with A/B just distributing for them.

[MikeyC]

Originally Posted by BeerAdvocate

I hope they dont start brewing with Corn & Rice!

Adjuncts =

My understanding is that Coors doesn't even use rice anymore they use some kind of liquid adjunct.

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

the local micro brewery has anhesuser-busch distribute there product 100miles away from the brewery.

Almost every state by law require a 3 tiered alcoholic beverage distribution system. Here is how it works:

Brewer -> Distributor -> Retailer -> Consumer

The brewer has to sell to the distributor who in turn sells to the retailer. It's the stupidest most antiquated system in all of retail sales. They spend a lot of time talking about it in the documentary "Beer Wars." AB happens to own a large number of distributorships across the country. It doesn't mean they have any hand or ownership interest what so ever in the beer they are distributing. They basically just act as a middle man in the sale of the beer.

Originally Posted by awsmith4

From what I remember Redhook was mediocre before and mediocre now

Reedhook is TERRIBLE. I thought I had read that AB had a small ownership interest in GI before this anyway. Yeungling should have sold to AB their lager tastes like a high-end Bud anyway.

Originally Posted by RevSmoke

That is too bad. Everytime micro- or craft-brewers are joined to big brewing companies (Miller, A-B, Coors, etc..), the quality of their brews drops significantly.

And you just recently introduced me to an excellent Goose Island Root Beer.

[RevSmoke]

Originally Posted by mariogolbee

And you just recently introduced me to an excellent Goose Island Root Beer.

Yes, I also hope that it doesn't touch the sodas. We will wait and see.

[backwoods357]

Maybe some of it will start to show up out here in the south.
Great PNW beer is what I miss most. I've only been able to find Rouge and Stone out here and only for a small fortune, unless I'm willing to drive a long way. I really wish I could get my hands on some of the smaller brewery's stuff.

[awsmith4]

Originally Posted by backwoods357

Maybe some of it will start to show up out here in the south.
Great PNW beer is what I miss most. I've only been able to find Rouge and Stone out here and only for a small fortune, unless I'm willing to drive a long way. I really wish I could get my hands on some of the smaller brewery's stuff.

We have a fantastic selection here in GA. I agree GI would be a welcome addition we definitely get better than just Stone and Rouge.

I am not sure of the stores close to you but within 10-15mins you could be at any of these: Mink's on Delk has a good selection and a pretty knowledgeable staff. Sherlocks and Total Wine on Barrett near the mall have good selections and Micheal's over by me on Whitlock has a good selection too. While we may not get GI and Deschutes we do get Bell's, Founders, Oskar Blues, Hoppin Frog, Terrapin, Sweetwater, Southern Tier and a good list of others. If you are willing to go into town, Green's and Hop City have amazing selections.

[backwoods357]

Wow! I've been to total wine, haven't heard of any of the others. I'll have to check them out. TW had a decent selection of imports but many of the single bottles were in the $5-8 range. When i was there I grabbed a couple decent oatmeal stouts. I loved Sweet Water's winter seasonal, I'm pretty impressed with some of their brews. Thanks Albert!