Craft brewers Alliance reports heft profit
Craft Brewers Alliance Inc. turned a modest 2009 profit as shipments to beverage giant Anheuser-Bush In Bev soared by nearly 75 percent.
The Portland-based brewery reported a profit of $887,000 on $131.7 million in sales. That compares to a $33.3 million loss on $86.7 million in sales in 2008.
Sales and profits were driven by a 74.4 percent increase in shipments to Anheuser-Bush InBev, its primary distributor, translating to 573,200 barrels.
CBA handles marketing for AB-owned brewers Widmer, Goose Island, Redhook and Kona Brewing. The company ‘sells’ the products to AB which then distributes through the AB wholesaler network
According to the cover story on the Craft Brewers Alliance in Beverage Industry magazine, Nov. 2008, A-B-Inbev owned 36% of CBA (Widmer-Redhook), and CBA, in turn, owned 40% of Goose Island and 20% of Kona.
Are you saying here that A-B-Inbev now outright owns all 4 companies, rather than just have a minority share in them (along with, of course, the distribution deal[s])? When did that happen?
Hello
I am a brewer for Redhook/Craftbrewers Alliance.
AB ownes roughly 34% of CBAI. It is a non controlling interest in a Publicly Traded company. It is strictly a Distribution Agreement.
I liken it to this. If you start a company and you manufacture a terrific product, you want to find the best distributor in the business to help you get your product to market! This is what we have.
AB has no control over what we brew, who brews it, what we use to brew it, what we brew it on, what we name it, etc. They simply give us the best distribution system in the world enabling us to get our beers to each and every one of you!
CBAI consists of Red Hook, Widmer, Kona and Goose Island.
Swing by one of our plants sometime and check out all the wonderful brews we make.
If you are in the Portsmouth area, come by and ask for Andy. I would love to share a pint with you. Our on-site pubs also serve an amazing selection of Brewer’s Series beers you will find no where else.
Cheers.
Should you have any further questions don’t hesistate to email me directly.
Andy