Heingunitas? Laneken?

[afro_lou]

Whatever it'll be, it makes me sad...

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/busine...-lagunitas-brewing-to-partner?gallery=4449562

 

[Osborne]

I wonder which will fall next....

 

[brrman]

This isn't a full buy-out, so I don't see the problem. This is the route they are taking to get wide distribution, which does not come easy once you max out regionally.

So Lagunitas will be available internationally. I love nearly all their beers. I hate Heineken, but I can't see any change in Lagunitas' recipes coming.

 

[JoshuaW]

This will get them removed from the craft brewers association.

 

[Hello]

It doesn't make me sad. I think it'll go a lot differently than say Goose Island and AB.
No one is falling. I almost think this is a smart move.

 

[bob1852]

This will get them removed from the craft brewers association.

Nah, they'll just keep changing the definition of "craft" like they always do...

 

[Sammy86]

It doesn't make me sad. I think it'll go a lot differently than say Goose Island and AB.
No one is falling. I almost think this is a smart move.

Agreed, smart business move to continue to grow a brand...can't hate on them for that

 

[JoshuaW]

Nah, they'll just keep changing the definition of "craft" like they always do...

Would hate to see those craft barrel production numbers fall...

 

[A2HB]

This really saddens me, Lagunitas is my favorite craft brewer for quality and price, but seeing this makes me think all that is going to change now. A moment of silence for Laguintas

 

[A2HB]

I wonder which will fall next....

I'm thinking Founders

 

[LandoLincoln]

This really saddens me, Lagunitas is my favorite craft brewer for quality and price, but seeing this makes me think all that is going to change now. A moment of silence for Laguintas

I don't know what makes you think that. The Lagunitas people are all staying put. I don't think the price is going to change any because of this. The only thing that's changing is that people overseas are going to be able to get Lagunitas products.

 

[afro_lou]

You know, it's true that this is just a partnership, and not much here in Petaluma will probably change, and this is undoubtedly a brilliant business decision, it's still a bummer that such a, historically, fiercely independent brewery now no longer has total control of its product. This really goes against the ethos of "Lagunitas."
Having said that, I know a lot of people who work at the brewery, and I'm positive that they will still be cranking out amazing beer no matter what corporate says, so at least there's that. On an even more optimistic note, maybe this will allow the OG brewery here in Petaluma to focus more on their smaller one-off offerings for local distribution!

 

[sablesurfer]

Magee described the agreement with Heineken, a company established in 1864, as a 50-50 partnership. Heineken will have three seats on the Lagunitas board and the Petaluma brewery will retain three seats.

Uhm...you don't run a company without a tie breaker. 50/50 is just asking for problems and Heineken will have a lot of leverage once Lagunitas is in the channel and ramped up to fill that channel. It reminds me of something kinda like the Wal-Mart model

 

[sablesurfer]

I don't know what makes you think that. The Lagunitas people are all staying put. I don't think the price is going to change any because of this. The only thing that's changing is that people overseas are going to be able to get Lagunitas products.

Uhm...so Heineken just gave away all that estimated $1billion? You don't expect them to want to make money on that investment?

 

[1977Brewer]

Uhm...so Heineken just gave away all that estimated $1billion? You don't expect them to want to make money on that investment?

They'll make money by increasing the distribution footprint and selling more beer. I bet the price doesn't budge. It may well go down in some markets thanks to increased supply.

 

[slym2none]

I foresee a few new lagers from Lagunitas...

 

[afro_lou]

I foresee a few new lagers from Lagunitas...

[emoji44]
It's already begun! Imperial Pils...

 

[Psylocide]

All it means is that Lagunitas beers will now be sold in green bottles.

Bring on the skunk.

 

[hunter_le five]

*yawn*

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Uhm...so Heineken just gave away all that estimated $1billion? You don't expect them to want to make money on that investment?

After looking at the Heineken brands list prior to the purchase, I expect they do want to make money. And that they finally have a stake in something people will actually drink.

 

[sablesurfer]

After looking at the Heineken brands list prior to the purchase, I expect they do want to make money. And that they finally have a stake in something people will actually drink.

I expect them to run it like a business and want Lagunitas to start using their sources for ingredients. That way no change in price but big change in costs. This all leads to lower quality ingredients and 'just a minor substitution here' and 'just a minor substitution there' kind of approaches.

 

[bob1852]

'just a minor substitution here' and 'just a minor substitution there' kind of approaches.

Like all breweries do already?

 

[sablesurfer]

Like all breweries do already?

Not if you want your customers to like your beer year over year. I've had this discussion with two breweries...one has done so many 'recipe changes because everyone does them' that I no longer like their beer. The other is rhienhisgabot(?) and doesn't do any substitutions, their beer is good all the time.

There is a HUGE difference between adjusting the amount of a hop to hit AA or IBU....and the idea that just switching between Rahr for Great Western or Breiss is still the same.

It's not.

 

[NickTheGreat]

Sad deal. I'm sure the beer will still be good, but I hate to see these companies bought out. Especially by foreign companies (inbev, SAB, etc)

 

[afro_lou]

Luckily it's not a total buyout, but it will be very interesting to see how a board of 3 from each side works when push comes to shove...

 

[LandoLincoln]

Uhm...so Heineken just gave away all that estimated $1billion? You don't expect them to want to make money on that investment?

They'll make money by selling Lagunitas beers in foreign markets. I really don't think that Lagunitas would go into this if it meant that they had to change their beers in any way. Lagunitas is making money hand over fist and they didn't need a partner to grow moderately. This move is just a way for them to grab greater market share.

 

[Grannyknot]

I just think its funny that a craft brewer who was so adamant about not selling any of their company has now sold half of it.
Not sure how a 50/50 split of the company works.

 

[hunter_le five]

Not sure how a 50/50 split of the company works.

Much like any other joint venture, I'd suspect.

 

[1977Brewer]

http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox...loved_craft_brewery_to_heineken_explains.html

References Nietsche, generally makes his case clear, I'm pretty certain he saw an opportunity to put his beer in front of as many people as possible and took it.

 

[Psylocide]

They'll make money by selling Lagunitas beers in foreign markets. I really don't think that Lagunitas would go into this if it meant that they had to change their beers in any way. Lagunitas is making money hand over fist and they didn't need a partner to grow moderately. This move is just a way for them to grab greater market share.

Funniest part about it... most all of their beers taste the same.