Posted By: Stevie Caldarola
Please excuse my profanity, but I could think of nothing else to title this article. According to Adam Nason of BeerNews.org, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. will buy Goose Island Beer Company and brewmaster Greg Hall is stepping down.
What a sad day for the craft beer community.
Who will be next?
A million questions run through my mind… “Should we have seen this coming with the purchase of Goose Island by the Craft Brewer’s Alliance?” ”Will AB still operate Goose Island under the guise of being a craft brewery?” ”Will the quality of Goose Island’s product ever be the same?”
“Who will be next?”
Check out this letter from John Hall, founder of the Goose Island brand.
If I could respond to Mr. Hall, here is what I’d say:
Dear John,
If you think you had to limit the production of your “classic and medal-winning styles” before AB was running the shots, just wait to see what Big Corporation will do to you now.
While I appreciate your tenacity, who are you kidding? If you think you had to limit the production of your “classic and medal-winning styles” before AB was running the shots, just wait to see what Big Corporation will do to you now.
Sincerely,
Red
If you could write to Mr. Hall, what would you say?
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the letter from John Hall reads like a corporate form letter. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve read the same letter in the 15 years I’ve worked in corporate America, just replace the names and places.
That letter was pre-written by InBev A-B for any company they will acquire.
If it was genuine, they would have allowed comments and feedback right below it. HA!
very disappointing
Totally appalled by this. I am scared, honestly. Yes change in inevitable with anything, and in many ways change is good. I don’t see how this can be good. Yes they have the money to expand and pay people to be creative, but will they? I can’t blame John or Greg for their decision. Money is money. But it doesn’t mean I have to support it.
I posted on this too…
Why do you think Greg is stepping down and leaving his fathers business? He knows his father is a sell-out.
Always follow the money. Sad but true.
Joeyz