Goose Island Brewing announces sale to Anheuser-Busch
Anheuser-Busch today announced it had purchased Chicago’s Goose Island for $39 million.
Founder John Hall will remain as CEO.
Hall also issued a letter to Goose fans this morning on the company’s web site, touting the ability for “growth and innovation” as a result of the deal.
Anheuser-Busch has had a hand in the company since 2006, when the Portland, Ore.-based Craft Brewers Alliance — of which AB has a minority interest — took a minority ownership of Goose. AB has played a role in Goose’s distribution ever since.
Greg Hall will be stepping down and be replaced by head brewer Brett Porter. Porter was previous head brewer of Deschutes Brewery before coming to Goose last year.
Goose’s two brew pubs in the city, on Clark Street and Clybourn Avenue, are not involved in the deal and will continue to be owned by John Hall and a group of partners.