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Anheuser-Busch buys Goose Island Brewery

Posted in Consume blog by Julia Kramer on Mar 28, 2011 at 9:23am

Photo: Erica Gannett

Monumental changes were announced this morning for Goose Island Brewery, Chicago's much-loved local brewery. Beer giant Anheuser-Busch, Goose's current distributor, has acquired the craft brewery for $38.8 million, "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," according to the press release.

Goose Island founder John Hall will continue as the CEO, while in a tandem piece of news, the company has announced that Brett Porter, who has spent the last five years at Deschutes Brewery in Bend, Oregon, will take over for Greg Hall as head brewmaster. Hall will remain with the company as a consultant "on strategic direction, beer styles, marketing and brand positioning," according to the release.

The acquisition means nothing for the two brewpubs (which were not a part of the sale), and Goose Island production will remain Chicago-based. In the immediate future, the Fulton Street brewery will receive $1.3 million in improvements early this summer. And no doubt this is a huge coup for Busch, which now has a coveted piece of the growing craft-beer market.

03/28/2011

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Good and informative story, Julia -- Thanks! But Anheuser-Busch itself hasn't existed since November 2008. The sale was to the $36.3 billion/yr Belgian behemoth Anheuser-Busch InBev N.V., makers of Stella Artois, Beck's, and many other brands as well as Budweiser. http://www.ab-inbev.com/go/about_abinbev/our_company/ab_inbev_company_profile

By Andrew Patner (not verified) on 3/28/2011 at 11:01 am

I wonder what this will mean for the future of goose island's beers. I've enjoyed them thoroughly for the past few years, and I'd hate to see the craft taken out when the big corporation moves in. On the other hand, this could mean greater distribution, which could introduce more people nationwide to the brand we've known and loved. It's disappointing and concerning that Greg Hall has already stepped down as brewmaster. Only time will tell what effect this will have on my favorite beer company.

By Matthew Smith (not verified) on 3/28/2011 at 11:33 am

Duck duck goose, who's next to fall into line with ABINBEV future goals to take over all the shelf space at convience stores and supermarkets. Sad day, but hey they worked their butts off to get something and they got it. Btw distribution deals are with individual distributors not big breweries. Too bad everyone thinks all beer that INBEV distributes their own beer, that's impossible they are too big, they sign exclusive deals to distributors to carry their product and give them trucks and help when needed. So bottom line, less shelf space for local brands and just wait for goose islands beer to only be bonkers ale.

By Anonymous (not verified) on 3/28/2011 at 9:30 pm

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