AB acquired Wicked Weed

[passedpawn]

haha, it's already on wiki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_brands

I'd like to hear how the quality of the of the following beers changed after acquisition. I don't care at all (I've been there, got the glass and tshirt and loved it). I really don't understand why you guys get upset when these things happen.

9.1 Goose Island Brewery
9.2 Blue Point
9.3 10 Barrel
9.4 Elysian Brewing Company
9.5 Golden Road Brewing
9.6 Four Peaks Brewery
9.7 Breckenridge Brewery
9.8 Devils Backbone Brewing Company
9.9 Karbach Brewing Company
9.10 Wicked Weed Brewing

 

[schatzke]

Maybe this means I will get a chance to try some Wicked Weed brews without traveling 2000 miles. Dare to dream!

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

haha, it's already on wiki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anheuser-Busch_brands

I'd like to hear how the quality of the of the following beers changed after acquisition. I don't care at all (I've been there, got the glass and tshirt and loved it). I really don't understand why you guys get upset when these things happen.

9.1 Goose Island Brewery
9.2 Blue Point
9.3 10 Barrel
9.4 Elysian Brewing Company
9.5 Golden Road Brewing
9.6 Four Peaks Brewery
9.7 Breckenridge Brewery
9.8 Devils Backbone Brewing Company
9.9 Karbach Brewing Company
9.10 Wicked Weed Brewing

The flavor changes because they "know". If they hadn't known it'd still be great "craft" beer.

 

[passedpawn]

[I merged two threads related to this. If more pop up, I'll merge them in here too. No offense intended, just trying to keep the place tidy ]

 

[Grannyknot]

For those that don't understand why people would be upset about this, I think Jester King said it best:

With that said, we have some core principles that define who we are as a brewery, and those principles must not be compromised. One of our core principles is that we do not sell beer from AB In-Bev or its affiliates. We’ve chosen this stance, not because of the quality of the beer, but because a portion of the money made off of selling it is used to oppose the interests of craft brewers. In Texas, large brewers (and their distributors) routinely oppose law changes that would help small, independent brewers. We choose not to support these large brewers because of their political stances, and in some cases, their economic practices as well.

 

[BrewKnurd]

I really don't understand why you guys get upset when these things happen.

Because the more AB-Inbev (and other mega brewers) are able to control the market (through deals with distributors, advertising, shelf space, tap handles etc), the harder it becomes for new breweries to get a foothold, and i want it to be easy for the next great brewery to get started, not harder.

 

[arnobg]

The reason I have a bad taste in my mouth is because just less than a year ago when they opened their new production brewery, they claimed to all of their supporters that they did so to be able to produce more beer but still on a local level to keep the hard to get beers special and the quality high. They even mention this in this video.... It is now apparent that it was a complete lie to the people who made them what they are... A slap in the face.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/mone...brewing-anheuser-busch-partnership/309733001/

Quote from the horses mouth from a year ago when they opened the new facility: " We've never envisioned ourselves as a big brewery. We still want to keep the feel that makes our beer and vision intact."

 

[Hanglow]

It'll be interesting to see where all these craft beer brands end up under new ownership - thinking about british breweries and the way so many have been sucked up by regionals then the nationals, I can't think of any that have improved in the long run. Lots of previously great breweries getting closed and simply becoming another brand rebrewed elsewhere, with the beers themselves taking a nosedive

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Because the more AB-Inbev (and other mega brewers) are able to control the market (through deals with distributors, advertising, shelf space, tap handles etc), the harder it becomes for new breweries to get a foothold, and i want it to be easy for the next great brewery to get started, not harder.

This is absolute hogwash LOL
Anyone can start a company in this great country we live in. All it takes is hard work...Start small and work your up the ladder....by the grace of god you'll be bought out for millions and enjoy the fruits of your labor.....or hold out and keep slaving away never spending time with the family....and that would make you the worst businessman in the history of business

 

[Weezy]

Id sell out and run. Start a new brewery on my own dime with no investor pressures.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Id sell out and run. Start a new brewery on my own dime with no investor pressures.

I would not be surprised if there was a no-compete clause for some period of time.

 

[Weezy]

I would not be surprised if there was a no-compete clause for some period of time.

They actually probably have to stay on for a lengthy period; maybe years. The sentiment is the same though...just delayed.

 

[k1ngl1ves]

Sounds like a solid plan for them. Most companies want to grow. Hopefully it won't come back to bite them in the ass later on.

Hopefully they start distributing up north...:rockin:

 

[k1ngl1ves]

@zebradeltaone, Chicago. It was carried at our Jewel grocery stores.

And they inflated the price to $80.


Luckily, Kenwood liquors sold them for $60, and might still have a few in the back room. You have to ask for it. They have quite a few locations .

 

[EcuPirate07]

As a local I hate this. I think they will lose a lot of local support but gain more with a wider distro reach....there goes a lot of my trading power

 

[madscientist451]

I can't really understand why anyone would care if ABInBev bought a brewery. The US passed the 5,000 brewery mark in 2016 and will probably go to 6,000 in a year or so. ABInBev can't buy them as fast as they are opening, there will always be more and more breweries, we aren't anywhere close to having a downsizing of the brewing business.
If Wicked Weed beer changes, there are plenty of other commercial beers to buy.
Or just make your own.

 

[Cape Brewing]

I always love the people who call breweries out for being "sell outs".

I'll tell ya what.... when someone offers you tens of millions of dollars for some sort of business you built... and you turn it down so you don't "sell out", then come back and preach about it. Until then, I think those people look like total jackazzes.

Will the beer ultimately suffer? Probably. The track record isn't too good with these buy-outs... but that's a different topic.

"Sell outs!" LOL! That's awesome.

 

[Harry482]

This tells me you don't know much about this brewery and their attention to detail and use of high quality locally sourced ingredients. Look at Goose Island for example and their 2015 BCBS. The fact is quality WILL suffer.

Yup!

 

[Harry482]

How is AB to blame for infected beer that was subsequently recalled?

AB is renowned for controlling and preventing such things. Are you suggesting they infected the beer intentionally?

How long have you worked for bud?

 

[jmark]

I can't really understand why anyone would care if ABInBev bought a brewery. The US passed the 5,000 brewery mark in 2016 and will probably go to 6,000 in a year or so. ABInBev can't buy them as fast as they are opening, there will always be more and more breweries, we aren't anywhere close to having a downsizing of the brewing business.

If Wicked Weed beer changes, there are plenty of other commercial beers to buy.

Or just make your own.

The concern I think is that shelf space and tap handles are going to be in such short supply and who is going to be able to command that space? The companies that can provide the best deals... hmm... who might that be. It's also confusing to customers who might want to support their local businesses.

What I'd like to see is some industry group offer a 'Certified Craft' designation/logo that independent breweries can apply, and be approved, for which would guarantee a certain quality level as well as a level of independence. Breweries with the designation could use the logo on their packaging etc. which might help consumers make more informed choices.

 

[Harry482]

The concern I think is that shelf space and tap handles are going to be in such short supply and who is going to be able to command that space? The companies that can provide the best deals... hmm... who might that be. It's also confusing to customers who might want to support their local businesses.

What I'd like to see is some industry group offer a 'Certified Craft' designation/logo that independent breweries can apply, and be approved, for which would guarantee a certain quality level as well as a level of independence. Breweries with the designation could use the logo on their packaging etc. which might help consumers make more informed choices.

Progressive idea. Almost like the Trappist seal - for 'Merica!

 

[jmark]

Exactly... big breweries like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium etc. wouldn't need it, but it would be cool to have a seal like this that would represent top quality, independent brands.

 

[rodwha]

It seems a lot of people here don't understand what AB/InBev has done. They are not good for the craft beer business at all.

I don't begrudge anyone for selling their company or have a distaste for big business, though I do prefer to support local and the little guys. It's the business practices I have a problem with.

 

[Braufessor]

It seems a lot of people here don't understand what AB/InBev has done. They are not good for the craft beer business at all.

I don't begrudge anyone for selling their company or have a distaste for big business, though I do prefer to support local and the little guys. It's the business practices I have a problem with.

I agree with this. I just don't agree with folks who somehow "blame" or talk down about the person that sold their business. Good for them - they worked hard and can have a more relaxing and enjoyable life because of it. I don't think they are obligated to slave away their entire life so that some people can be happy about where they buy their beer from.

As for the buyer - AB. I agree completely - I don't like a lot of their practices either and would likely not support the newer endeavor. Or, at least not to level of a truly independent, small, local business. I would generally always go out of my way to support truly local/craft beer.

I can see being bummed to see a local brewery go under AB, and I can see not supporting AB and any of their purchased breweries. But, to the original owners who made good on their investment. Good for them.

 

[Cape Brewing]

Exactly... big breweries like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium etc. wouldn't need it, but it would be cool to have a seal like this that would represent top quality, independent brands.

Topic for another thread, and a debate that could go on a bit, but I would love for someone to explain what they mean by a "quality beer" some day

 

[FatDragon]

I was just in contact with them on Facebook a month or two ago to get some tips on using passion fruit in a beer. The brewer seemed like a nice guy. I didn't end up taking much of his advice because it wasn't very practical for my situation, but I appreciated that he took the time to offer it, not every pro brewer is willing to help out a lowly homebrewer halfway around the world.

 

[jmark]

Topic for another thread, and a debate that could go on a bit, but I would love for someone to explain what they mean by a "quality beer" some day

I'll quickly explain my thoughts and if need be start another thread, but I'm talking about objective measures of quality - shelf stability, consistency of product (where that is actually a goal), brewing practices etc. Subjective measures like awards, "boutique"-ness etc. are ignored.

 

[brick_haus]

They actually probably have to stay on for a lengthy period; maybe years. The sentiment is the same though...just delayed.

Seriously, "Actually probably" ??
Do you know something? If so please give us the details and references. For how long were they actually probably retained?

 

[lschiavo]

This is absolute hogwash LOL
Anyone can start a company in this great country we live in. All it takes is hard work...Start small and work your up the ladder....by the grace of god you'll be bought out for millions and enjoy the fruits of your labor.....or hold out and keep slaving away never spending time with the family....and that would make you the worst businessman in the history of business

You don't think you could ever run into a wall of money and political power once you got big enough to be noticed? Open your eyes. It's not just beer. It happens in every industry.

 

[brick_haus]

The concern I think is that shelf space and tap handles are going to be in such short supply and who is going to be able to command that space? The companies that can provide the best deals... hmm... who might that be. It's also confusing to customers who might want to support their local businesses.

What I'd like to see is some industry group offer a 'Certified Craft' designation/logo that independent breweries can apply, and be approved, for which would guarantee a certain quality level as well as a level of independence. Breweries with the designation could use the logo on their packaging etc. which might help consumers make more informed choices.

I disagree with a few of your other opinions also, but more regulation is not the answer. And if you were to add regulations, rather than make the craft brewer pay to obtain "craft" certification why not have non craft brewers place a "non craft".disclosure on their label. Absurd either way...