Anheuser-Busch

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Headlines

Anheuser Busch acquires Devils Backbone Brewing Company

Anheuser Busch has acquired Nelson County, Virgnia based Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company today, for an undisclosed amount. This is the first brewery purchase by AB InBev this year, after going on a buying streak late last year.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the partnership of Devils Backbone Brewing Company with Anheuser-Busch. While we are joining a creative group of craft breweries in the division, Devils Backbone will retain a high level of autonomy and continue its own authentic DNA within The High End framework,” said Steve Crandall, co-founder and CEO of Devils Backbone Brewing Company. “The existing management team plans to stay on board for many years, while continuing to innovate and bring locally crafted Virginia beer to the nation.”

Devil’s Backbone was founded in 2008 by Steve and Heidi Crandal. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter, 2016.

Full press release is below. We will update this article with more details as we receive them. 

New York and Lexington & Nelson County, VA. April 12, 2016 – Today, Anheuser-Busch announced an agreement to acquire Devils Backbone Brewing Company, the leading and fastest-growing craft brewery in the state of Virginia. Devils Backbone will be the latest partner to join the diverse portfolio of craft breweries within The High End, the company’s business unit comprising unique craft and import brands.

“I am extremely pleased to announce the partnership of Devils Backbone Brewing Company with Anheuser-Busch. While we are joining a creative group of craft breweries in the division, Devils Backbone will retain a high level of autonomy and continue its own authentic DNA within The High End framework,” said Steve Crandall, co-founder and CEO of Devils Backbone Brewing Company. “The existing management team plans to stay on board for many years, while continuing to innovate and bring locally crafted Virginia beer to the nation.”

In 2008, founders Steve and Heidi Crandall opened the doors to Devils Backbone Brewing Company in the Virginia Heartland, after being inspired by a ski trip to northern Italy in 1991 where they had their first taste of Germanic style beer. After success with the first brewpub, Basecamp, the decision was made to break ground on the Outpost facility, in Lexington, Virginia. Originally projected to produce 10,000 barrels of beer in its first ten years, the Outpost produced almost 45,000 barrels in its first three. Steve credits much of this early success to the excellent network of distributors within his system, which is weighted heavily towards Anheuser-Busch.

“I congratulate Steve and Heidi Crandall and the entire Devils Backbone team as they partner with Anheuser-Busch,” said Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.  “Through the strength of Anheuser-Busch’s network of distributors, Devils Backbone’s award-winning craft beer will soon be available throughout the country and beyond. I want to thank Devils Backbone for their immense contribution to Virginia’s world-class craft beer industry, and I look forward to the additional exposure for Virginia as a leading state for craft beer lovers.”

Today, the Outpost Brewery & Taproom in Lexington serves as the primary production brewery while the Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows in Roseland, serves as a visitor destination. Devils Backbone takes full advantage of the scenic 100-acre Basecamp property surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a variety of opportunities for guests to enjoy the outdoors. In 2015, the two locations hosted more than 500,000 guests.

“Devils Backbone has captivated beer drinkers in Virginia since opening its doors eight years ago,” said Felipe Szpigel, President, The High End. “From the beginning, they have shown creativity and talent with the great beers they brew, and they’ve been able to use the authentic offerings at Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows to cultivate a fun, outdoor lifestyle that resonates with everyone. Pair these qualities with dynamic leadership and a dream to do something bigger, and you have the recipe for an even more promising future.”

While best known for its flagship Vienna Lager, which accounted for nearly 60% of Devils Backbone volume in 2015, the portfolio also includes other award-winning year-round favorites like Eight Point IPA and Schwartz Bier. Developing beers with personality and individual integrity of flavor has helped enable Devils Backbone to win four National titles: 2014 Great American Beer Festival Mid-Size Brewery & Brew Team, 2013 Small Brewing Company & Small Brewing Company Brew Team, 2012 Small Brewpub & Small Brewpub Brewer, 2010 World Beer Cup Champion Brewery, and the Virginia Craft Brewers Fest Best of Show medals in 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.

First Beverage Group acted as financial advisor to Devils Backbone Brewing Company. Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with Devils Backbone is expected to close in the second quarter, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. 

 

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Headlines

Anheuser-Busch’s Super Bowl spot calls out small breweries again

A year later, beer drinkers still remember Anheuser-Busch’s Super Bowl spot from 2015. The spot, called “Brewed the Hard Way“, was a direct shot a the surging craft beer market.

Two things still stick out from that advert. The first is the most glaringly obvious. Almost that very same week, A-B InBev had struck a deal acquiring craft brewery Elysian Brewing based in Seattle, Washington. The 60 second spot featured a stereotypical looking hipster sipping a beer, with the words flashing on the screen – “Let them sip their peach pumpkin ales”. Funny thing, A-B’s newest member of the family had a peach pumpkin ale in their arsenal. Anheuser-Busch technically owned a peach pumpkin ale at the time.

2016 brings a continuation of last year’s ad, at least in tone. The world’s largest brewery is running another “Proud to be Macro” spot, complete with Clydesdales, statements of pride to be big, and the hashtag #NotBackingDown.

You’ll find this year’s spot to be a little more tame than the 2015 run, while still digging a little (namely the fruit cup mention). The A-B marketing team said  in the weeks after the 2015 ad, and ahead of the one airing this year, that these spots are not meant to support or build up the rest of the A-B InBev portfolio. Just Budweiser.

In the past year, A-B InBev has purchased craft breweries Golden Road Brewing, Breckinridge Brewery, Camden Town Brewery (UK), and Four Peaks Brewing. Not to mention SAB Miller, the world’s second largest brewery, for more than $100 billion (USD).

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Headlines

Anheuser-Busch purchases Breckenridge Brewery

Anheuser-Busch has purchased their third brewery in 7 days- Colorado-based Breckenridge Brewery. To be a part of their “high-end” line.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed. (As usual)

“Breckenridge Brewery has a long history of innovation and they continue to brew new and exciting beers, from their specialty brews like the Mountain Series that celebrates the brewery’s origin as a ski town brewpub, to their planned nitro can series,” said Andy Goeler, CEO, Craft, The High End. “They are innovative and have built an amazing business that’s enabled them to get their great beers to fans across the country. We look forward to even more growth together.”

The deal will close by the end of the 1st quarter. In the last 7 days, A-B InBev announced the purchase of Four Peaks Brewing in Arizona, and Camden Town in London, England.

The partnership includes Breckinridge Brewery’s new production brewery and Farm House restaurant in Littleton, plus the brewpub in downtown Breckenridge.

The current management group, Breckenridge-Wynkoop will still run the Ale House at Amato’s in DenverBreckenridge Ale House in Grand JunctionBreckenridge Colorado Craft in Denver; The Cherry Cricket in Denver; Mainline in Fort Collins; Phantom Canyon Brewing Co. in Colorado Springs; and Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver.

Breckenridge Brewery is currently available in 35 states, with an annual production of 70,000 barrels.

Article in progress. Updating, check back.

 

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Golden Road Brewing

Anheuser-Busch Acquires Golden Road Brewing, deal closed today

We’ve been waiting to find out who was the next purchase for Anheuser-Busch. The answer comes today – Golden Road Brewing.

Today, Anheuser-Busch InBev has purchased Golden Road Brewing, based in Los Angeles, California.

As Andy Goeler, CEO of Craft and Anheuser Busch InBev states in the video above, this all started with the Goose Island partnership (purchase) 5 years ago. Building off of that success, A-B InBev purchased Elysian, Blue Point, and 10 Barrel Brewing.

Brewery founder Meg Gil explains how impressed she is with A-B’s work with the “craft brands” prompted the deal, despite the 100% growth since they opened four years ago. She wanted to be with a “winning team”.

Goeler states the beer, the Golden Road culture, and the brewery’s pioneering of the craft scene in L.A. made the purchase a no brainer.

From here, Golden Road will go to Anaheim and Grand Central markets in California, with some hints of national distribution coming soon. A new Golden Road pub will be built in Los Angeles, and a second pub and production location coming to Anaheim in 4th quarter 2016.

Currently, Golden Road produces 45,000 barrels of beer (1.4 million gallons) annual. Details of the deal have not been disclosed. Brewery founder Meg Gil tweet moments ago, the deal with AB InBev has officially closed today, November 18th in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Anheuser-Busch releases Bud Light Apple, in one state only

Bud Light Apple

Anheuser-Busch has joined the “apple train” with the addition of Bud Light Apple. A-B InBev’s biggest competition MillerCoors has found great success with the addition of Redd’s Apple Ale. So much so, that the brand extension has added Strawberry, Sweet Tea, and Cranberry editions.

You’ll recall this isn’t the first time that Anheuser-Busch has released a spin on their most popular brand Bud Light. Specifically, the Bud Light “Rita” Series, with Lemon-Ade-Rita, Mang-O-Rita, Lime-A-Rita just to name a few.

The Rita Series was such a popular addition for A-B that it prompted Dos Equis to release Dos-A-Rita.

Anheuser-Busch has launched this new beer, in the state of Georgia only as a limited release. Interestingly, since the first mention of this beer appeared on Beer Street Journal, the brewery agreed to acquisition terms with SABMiller. If that deal goes through, the mega-brewery would own both Redd’s Apple Ale, and Bud Light Apple.

Let’s not forget the Anheuser-Busch marketing team’s strike against peach pumpkin ales, and this summer’s shot at watermelon wheat beers. I guess the Anheuser-Busch market research has proven that people cheer when you bring apples to the party. Just ask MillerCoors.

Style: Light Lager (w/ Apple)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, 16oz Aluminum Bottles, Draft.
Release: November, 2015

4.2% ABV

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Coming Soon, Headlines

Anheuser-Busch is launching their own hard root beer

Best Damn Root Beer

Update: Just as soon as this post went live, pictures showed up of Best Damn Root Beer out in the wild. Anheuser-Busch/Best Damn Brewing will be rolling out Best Damn Root Beer. Nationally by December.

Back in July, Anheuser-Busch purchased the BestDamn.com, and shortly after, Best Damn Apple Ale became the landing page.

At the time, it looked like A-B was looking for a new way to compete with the MillerCoors product – Redd’s Apple Ale. (That they will own soon.)

Now there’s this – Best Damn Root Beer . Pabst’s Small Town Brewery’s Not Your Father’s Root Beer is making millions, and it looks like that has caught Anheuser’s attention.

Best Damn Root Beer is a new label registered to Best Damn Beer Co., via Anheuser-Busch, Saint Louis, Missouri. The root beer’s tagline – Ale aged on vanilla beans, 5.5% ABV.

Best Damn Root Beer is available in 12 ounce cans, and draft, thanks to these pictures from a Beer Street Journal reader.

Developing…

Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Headlines

U.S. Dept of Justice is reviewing Anheuser Busch distributor purchases

The California Attorney General and the United States Department of Justice are reviewing Anheuser Busch distributor purchases.

Over the past few months, the world’s largest brewery has purchased five distributors in three states. A move, that many craft breweries have said, make it harder for them to sell their products.

The craft breweries and the Department of Justice could have a case, if it can be proven that smaller breweries have lost access to a local market, and the ability to compete, due to the A-B InBev distributor acquisitions.

Additionally, A-B InBev attempting to purchase SABMiller, the world’s second largest brewery, more than $100 billon dollars.

Developing…