Lagunitas sells to Heineken , another good brewery sells their soul to corpor...

[Murphys_Law]

I didnt read the article but I hope he/she/they sold for big bucks and are enjoying rum drinks in their new, big boat.

Face it. Any one of us could mortgage our house and open a "craft" to "help craft beer" but we're all bitching and crying because these people DID IT and are reaping the rewards for their risk and effort.

You don't like it? Raise some captital, grow a beard, buy a hip flannel shirt and brew beer. Call it "Alturistic IPA" or some nonsense and don't worry about leaving an inheritance!

I say God Bless them. Don't buy their beer but don't judge them until you walk that walk.

 

[Dcpcooks]

You forgot this...

Nope I knew you'd come through!

 

[mashinary]

I'll still buy their beers if the quality is the same. I still enjoy stuff from Ballast Point, and others that have "sold out". ****, a local brewing co-op where I live was bought by the same VC group that owns Oscar Blues, Cigar City, etc. Outside of the new parent company ****ting on the branding/marketing, the beer is the same. I can also now get beers that were unavailable before, from the other brands they own. Eventually, I imagine this VC will eventually "sell out" to make money from a larger VC/conglomerate. That's what they do...

 

[IndyBlueprints]

Don't get me wrong...If opened a brewery, I would hope to sell it someday. And preferably to either the highest bidder, or to a family member, if I thought it would be in the families best interest. I own two businesses now, a custom home building business, and a home design business. The purpose of building a business is to use it to have a career and a job for you and family members, but the to eventually sell it and profit and/or retire. That's it. Bottom line.

That's Capitalism, it's the American Way, and I'm all for it. However, I can still boycott a business if they are bought out by AB-INBEV, and feel completely OK with it.

 

[worlddivides]

Every single time this happens, a bunch of cry-babies come on and go "How dare they! I'm never ever ever buying another beer by X!" I think these people just come across as a joke. Does their logic really follow through to everything, though? Not shopping at Kroger, Safeway, Target, or their equivalent? Not buying products from Apple, Samsung, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Dell? Not watching movies by Paramount, Universal, 21st Century Fox, Warner Brothers, Columbia, MGM? And on and on and on to every single facet of life. If you live a hermit's life, then fine, but you can't blame a craft brewery for taking an opportunity like this. If I were in their shoes, I would do the exact same thing.

Although I despise BMC beers, it's not because they're big and corporate. It's because I don't like the "American light lager" style. I wouldn't buy it if my favorite brewery made their own American light lager (though I might try it if I were at the brewery). I'm sure there are beers I like that aren't American light lagers that people would consider in the same vein as BMC, but there is no philosophy behind what I enjoy.

I support what I like, regardless of whether it's a local mom and pop store or a multinational conglomerate. And, sure, I've always really liked Lagunitas's beers (particularly Aunt Sally and Espresso Stout), but even if I didn't like them, there are tons of craft breweries that I do like that have been bought by much larger companies. And if ones I like that haven't got bought out did eventually get bought out, I'd still keep buying them. Besides, it's in no company's best interest to buy a company and change everything about the place so their fans stop liking it.

 

[govner1]

There are still so many great craft brewer out there. I'm able to purchase & enjoy their beers when my own run low or I'm curious.
No need to add to the coffers of AB and others. Eventually the uniqueness and quality will suffer & they'll be just as uninteresting as Buschhhhhhh!

 

[olotti]

As long as quality doesn't change I'll still buy hop stoopid, sucks, Waldo, high westified, etc. but if and this is prob obvious quality suffers and they decide to ramp up prices I'll prob be out. But hey good for them or any small start up company that can cash in on their quality work.

 

[Scturo]

List of breweries who have Sold Out, either partially or entirely. Feel free to add any missed

Ballast Point
Goose Island
Golden Road
Lagunitas (50% Sold)
Wicked Weed
Elysian
10Barrel
Hop Valley
Terrapin
Revolver
St Archer
Firestone Walker
Ommegang
Boulevard
Founders (30% Sold)
Brooklyn Brewery (24.5% Sold)

 

[IndyBlueprints]

Lagunitas is now 100% sold to Hienekin.

List of breweries who have Sold Out, either partially or entirely. Feel free to add any missed

Ballast Point
Goose Island
Golden Road
Lagunitas (50% Sold)
Wicked Weed
Elysian
10Barrel
Hop Valley
Terrapin
Revolver
St Archer
Firestone Walker
Ommegang
Boulevard
Founders (30% Sold)
Brooklyn Brewery (24.5% Sold)

 

[Singletrack]

I don't blame successful brewers for taking a big pay day, if that's what they think they want. But...


1. I think it is naïve to suggest that this trend will not change the craft beer landscape. It seems reasonable to think that no one would buy a successful craft brewery and then ruin it with changes, but have you ever worked for a large corporation? When some know-nothing middle manager suggests a stupid change that saves a little money, who is going to stop him? How many times can these pinheads be stopped before changes must happen? Then, when the people with the passion decide to leave over it, we get meh beer that no one really cares about.


2. The big boys don't fight fair. To them, beer is business, and business is about making money. If destroying everyone else makes more money, then prepare to be destroyed. One of the things I like about small craft brewers is that their passion for the beer is more important to them than their desire to make money in any way that could be viewed as unfriendly to their peers. That's going away.


The business of business is business. I understand that, but I'm still saddened about the possibility of good beer packaged in green bottles with black and white stripes.

 

[radwizard]

At least this stuff wont effect my life in any way!

 

[curtisbrewer]

I don't blame successful brewers for taking a big pay day, if that's what they think they want. But...


1. I think it is naïve to suggest that this trend will not change the craft beer landscape. It seems reasonable to think that no one would buy a successful craft brewery and then ruin it with changes, but have you ever worked for a large corporation? When some know-nothing middle manager suggests a stupid change that saves a little money, who is going to stop him? How many times can these pinheads be stopped before changes must happen? Then, when the people with the passion decide to leave over it, we get meh beer that no one really cares about.


2. The big boys don't fight fair. To them, beer is business, and business is about making money. If destroying everyone else makes more money, then prepare to be destroyed. One of the things I like about small craft brewers is that their passion for the beer is more important to them than their desire to make money in any way that could be viewed as unfriendly to their peers. That's going away.


The business of business is business. I understand that, but I'm still saddened about the possibility of good beer packaged in green bottles with black and white stripes.

hit the nail on the head . cheers brother

 

[Norselord]

I don't blame successful brewers for taking a big pay day, if that's what they think they want. But...


1. I think it is naïve to suggest that this trend will not change the craft beer landscape. It seems reasonable to think that no one would buy a successful craft brewery and then ruin it with changes, but have you ever worked for a large corporation? When some know-nothing middle manager suggests a stupid change that saves a little money, who is going to stop him? How many times can these pinheads be stopped before changes must happen? Then, when the people with the passion decide to leave over it, we get meh beer that no one really cares about.


2. The big boys don't fight fair. To them, beer is business, and business is about making money. If destroying everyone else makes more money, then prepare to be destroyed. One of the things I like about small craft brewers is that their passion for the beer is more important to them than their desire to make money in any way that could be viewed as unfriendly to their peers. That's going away.


The business of business is business. I understand that, but I'm still saddened about the possibility of good beer packaged in green bottles with black and white stripes.

1. Yes I have. I have worked for a successful company that was bought and sold a few times by bigger companies. Typically what happens is that the only change is that another top level of management changes, but the core company stays the same. There is a reason we were bought; we were very successful. They didn't buy us to change us, they bought us because they looked who we already were. As an aside: don't every marry someone because you like who they might become - marry them because you like who they already are...

2. It is more profitable for the big guys to buy craft brewers than to spend money trying to destroy the craft competition. The big brewers are passionate about beer too; i know this because i work with someone who was an apprentice brewer at a Miller and Budweiser plant. There are more people who think Miller and Budweiser taste good than people who think Old Rasputin or DFH90 or Westvletern 14 taste good. BMC aren't trying to make 'bad' beers, they are trying to meet a market demand. I have heard that at Budweiser the most important characteristic of a beer is 'drinkability'; i.e. do you want to have another after the one you just finished. As much as i might enjoy a IIPA or Imperial Stout or some other 'crafty' beer, they are not 'drinkable' by Budweiser standards.

I am willing to wager that you think the government is out to screw the average citizen too...

 

[RevKev]

Excellent write up by Chris Herron. Gives a deeper perspective into why AB Inbev is going in this direction.

I get tired of people just throwing up the... 'If someone through millions at me I'd take the money and run too!' Of course we would, but anybody that truly cares about the industry can find some great insight in this article.

http://goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2017/5/5/watch-the-hands-not-the-cards-the-magic-of-megabrew

Sharing this from the AB bought WW thread. Everyone should read this and the point made above I agree with, BMC or otherwise they all care about beer .. some may be more passionate then you would have ever thought

 

[Kharnynb]

meh, they can buy what they want, something new tends to spring up.

At least heineken is no where near as nasty as inbev in their distribution strategies.

 

[BigEd]

I may be wrong but isn't inbev Budweiser and Heineken?

No, Heineken is their own company and not a part of InBev or SAB/Miller or whatever the current conglomeration is.

 

[Singletrack]

1. Yes I have... don't every marry someone because you like who they might become...

2. It is more profitable for the big guys to buy craft brewers than to spend money trying to destroy the craft competition.

3. I have heard that at Budweiser the most important characteristic of a beer is 'drinkability'

4. I am willing to wager that you think the government is out to screw the average citizen too...

1. I said this trend will change the craft beer landscape, so I guess you're saying it won't. Time will tell, but if you're looking for a wager...
...and don't tell me who or why to marry.

2. Sure, but that misses the point. They are going to both acquire and destroy competition.

3. A focus on "drinkability" is what led to decades of nothing but tasteless lager in the U.S. With the craft buyout trend, we will get the beer that appeals to the masses, and if a small minority want something different, that's tough -- not profitable enough. Not saying it will be all light lagers again anytime soon, but choices will dwindle.

4. Political. Reported. Well, my response would be political, so I can't respond properly, but you're way off base. Like most people, I'm complicated. It's best not to judge too quickly ...because it's judgment that defeats us.

Black and white stripes? Nothing?

 

[OleBrewing]

No, Heineken is their own company and not a part of InBev or SAB/Miller or whatever the current conglomeration is.

yeah its to much to keep straight of which company is buying which company now days. I could do an internet search but honestly I knew somebody would know on here.

 

[Singletrack]

 

[wischwm]

I don't really buy beer anymore. Just beer ingredients. My biggest concern is when they scarf up the Homebrew supply stores and start controlling prices and availability.

 

[maxxxx]

It's not like they sold for chump change. Also heni has been 49% owner for like 5 years, they finally just sealed the deal and bought the rest.

 

[liunam]

My thoughts on this is "who cares?" If you do not like their business decision, then do not patronize them.

There's just too many local breweries in my area now that when Devil's Backbone "sold out" to InBev, then I decided to stop buying their products. I prefer to support my local breweries (I buy too many products from Amazon and other out-of-state Internet companies that I feel compelled to buy local when it comes to beers ).

When I visited Asheville last year, Wicked Week was one of my favorite stops. I probably will not visit them if I ever visit Asheville again. But then again it is not like we do not have plenty of choices. There were so many good breweries there that I did not visit because they were "too far" from the downtown area.

I have not bought a Lagunitas beer in a long time for the same reason - too many choices. I used to like their Wild Sumpin' and Brown Shugga. Probably will not buy from them anymore unless I need to have a beer and that's all the bar has.

 

[daytraitors]

I'm with you. I think big beer can make craft products. Microbreweries can make plain lagers and lite beer.

The venting about entrepreneurs cashing out to big companies that want to acquire the business they built. . . please. That's the point behind starting the business and growing it. If you're just interested in the art, then be content with home brewing.

You know every time I see threads like this one thing comes to mind...you're basically saying that someone who started a business from the ground up isn't entitled to a life changing pay day...who are we to judge?

Are you honestly telling me that if you owned a business and someone approached you to buy your business with an offer that basically sets up your family for generations you wouldn't take it?

It's like people giving the owner of Ballast Point crap for taking the deal of 1 billion dollars. What we seem to forget is that beer is still a business...the object is to make money and the opportunity presented itself and he made the deal...who cares if you're not going to buy their beer anymore?

There are currently 5,300 breweries here in the states...you're really trying to tell me me that the sale of this one craft brewery is going to hurt the craft beer movement? Please, the craft beer movement is doing just fine and another brewery will step in its place.

 

[Rynolee]

I live down the street and know the brewery very well. Tony McGee will still operate Lagunitas and still design future beers but now under Heineken. Their goal is to create a "craft beer" division, which will be under Lagunitas for worldwide distribution. They mainly just operate out of Petaluma, CA and Boston right now with more in he works in Europe, potentially Amsterdam.

But it is sad to see a small local brewery grow so large and be bought out by a corporation as large as Heineken. C'est la vie!

At least we still have Russian River Brewing Company

 

[jchfl]

I think it's time to admit that the "craft beer" label has been co-opted into something that very few of us actually mean.

I prefer "independent brewer". Pretty much says what it means. "Craft" now embodies what those expressing remorse of the big boys buying all of "our" brewers are getting at. If that describes you (as it does me) then "Independent" brewers are what we should be supporting.

 

[mmmbeer90254]

everybody has a price. if a beer is good, drink it. if everytime i stopped drinking my favorite beer because they "sold out", i would be drinking piss.

congrats to lagunitas. stopped drinking their **** way back when they threatened to sue sierra nevada after the hop hunter debauchle.

 

[JakeSparrow]

Kinda strange when Lagunitas was basically founded on sticking it to the man and being rebels. However, big stinkin' deal, this is just another reason to homebrew! I'm more interested in all the local breweries opening up. In my area (Temecula, Murrieta, it's just north of San Diego if anyones curious) there have been a good amount of breweries opening up in the last couple years and even some taprooms. So all is well in the world of craft and homebrew will never die.

 

[JasontheBeaver]

I may be wrong but isn't inbev Budweiser and Heineken?

No

 

[malhal]

I find it interesting reading the posts by people who aren't concerned by this. InBev wiped out craft beer in Belgium and England, destroyed the livelihoods of thousands involved in breweries and pubs and left generations drinking fizzy yellow water and brainwashed by marketing. USA is next. Luckily you have Stone, and Brewdog now too, and they won't go down without a fight, so maybe this time can be different?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Another one of these threads....yawn

I guess those against it have:

Never had Taco Bell and only buy from the guy on the corner
Never had Burger King and only eat at "craft burger" joints
Never been to a single big box store
And NEVER not even once bought something online to save money including homebrew stuff

Re....Tard....ed