ProBrewer.com

An Online Resource Serving The Beer Industry

  • News
    • News From The Breweries
    • Specialty Industry News
    • Major Brand News
    • Legislative & Regulatory
    • Distribution & Retail
    • Quarterly Financial Reports
    • International
    • Commentary
    • General News
  • Events
    • All Events
    • Essential Virtual Resources for the Brewing Industry
    • Virtual Brewing Conference Guide
  • Classified Ads
    • Latest Ads
    • Ads By Category
    • Help Wanted / For Hire
    • Search Ads
    • Post Classified Ad
    • Post Catalog Ad
    • About Classified Ads
  • Jobs
  • Discussion
  • Library
    • Archives
    • Brewery Floors
    • Brewstillery
    • Distilling
    • Distribution
    • ‘DIY’ floor coating
    • Electric Brewing
    • Filtration
    • Hops
    • Kegs
    • Keg Washers
    • Malt
    • Malt handling
    • Nano Breweries
    • Packaging
    • Pumps
    • Refrigeration
    • Shipping
    • Stupid Stuff
    • Turnkey
    • Used Tanks
    • Water
    • Yeast
  • Tools
    • IBU Calculator
    • Beer Specifications
    • Water Chemistry
  • Advertise
    • Advertise & Sponsorship on ProBrewer
    • ProBrewer Advertisers
  • Allied Trade Directory
    • Search Allied Trade Directory
    • Your Companies
    • Submit New Allied Trade Company
  • Login / Register
    • ProBrewer Login
    • Register
    • Password Reset
You are here: Home / News From The Breweries / Goose, A-B Deal Near?

Goose, A-B Deal Near?

News »  News From The Breweriesposted May 20th 04:11:15AM by pbrewadmin

Chicago newspaper reports brewing giant to acquire large stake in Goose Island

The Chicago Tribune reports that the long-rumored deal between Goose Island Beer Co. and brewing giant Anheuser-Busch may close within the next month.

The deal would have A-B purchasing up to 35% of the Chicago brewery and taking over distribution of the Chicago beer.

Neither Goose Island president and founder John Hall nor his son Greg could be reached for comment. An Anheuser-Busch spokesman declined to comment on the deal.

The partnership would benefit Goose Island on the distribution side, where it has struggled since ending a sales and marketing agreement with United States Beverage in 2004.

Industry resources report that beyond the obvious benefits of investing in a growing brand, A-B wants to strike deals with breweries such as Goose Island because its distributors want more popular products to sell. Domestic beer sales fell 1.6% in 2005, compared to 9% growth by craft beers – and 24% by Goose Island.

A-B recently added imports such as Grolsch and Tiger to its portfolio and there are rumors that the company will soon buy the iconic Rolling Rock brand from InBev.

Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association, told the Tribune he didn’t expect Busch’s purchase would hurt Goose Island sales.

“There probably will be some hard-core enthusiasts who become aware of that and make other selections,” he said, but most won’t even be aware of the deal.

Gatza speculated that the deal may be among the first of several that A-B announces this year.

Busch tried to buy a stake in Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewing Co. last year. “They are trying to do these deals because they need to get those products to their wholesalers,” said John McDonald, president of Boulevard Brewing Co.

“If you come out with a product they are trying to sell themselves, they just wouldn’t sell it,” he said. That’s because “even it they only own 35% of your company they have total control of you.”

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
  • Twitter
  • Pocket
  • Email
pbrewadmin

Posted by pbrewadmin

Comments

  1. theburden says

    May 20, 2006 at 5:07 am

    Greg Hall responded to this article and a thread on Beeradvocate discussing the transaction.

    http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/734035/?start=60

    do you guys believe everything you read?

    clearly, some do. well then, believe this:
    Many of the statements in the Tribune article are inaccurate. I don’t know who there source is, but they did not contact the brewery.

    Goose Island is and will continue to be an independently operated brewery. I plan on being here a long time, brewing a wider variety of great beers every year. (Look for Bourbon Aged Imperial Brown Goose in 750’s later this year, maybe another Bret beer too)

    I appreciate all the support we have from the beer community in the face of all the rumors. We will not let you down.

    as for “lots of extra capacity”, we’ve been growing over 20% the last 2 years eating all the extra cap up.

    as for “the Halls cashing out”, i have yet to receive my check, but i did buy a new bicycle.

    cheers,
    Greg Hall
    Goose Island

  2. admin says

    May 23, 2006 at 6:41 pm

    Thanks ‘theburden’ for this post.

    ProBrewer is careful to mention sources when reporting stories if we can not verify the facts ourselves. In this case, as mentioned in the ProBrewer News story, the source was the Chicago Tribune.

    I have known Greg and John Hall for many years and wish them the very best of success, whatever direction they choose.

    Admin

  3. CallerFromLA says

    June 9, 2006 at 6:10 am

    According to Associated Press on June 7, 2006:
    – Goose Island beers will be distributed by Widmer’s distribution arm
    – Widmer could possibly purchase a portion of Goose Island
    – Goose Island now gets the same network at Widmer and A-B
    – Widmer has used the A-B distribution network for 10 years, while remaining independent (A-B owns a minority stake in Widmer)

    Cheers,
    –CallerFromLA

Search

Promoted
G4 Kegs logo
G4 Kegs
A partner you can count on.
Zahm & Nagel Co., Inc. logo
Zahm & Nagel Co., Inc.
100% American-Made
ABS Commercial logo
ABS Commercial
We Have Equipment in Stock!
Front Range Fabrication • Bridgetown Brew Systems

Subscribe to ProBrewer Daily

ProBrewer Subscriptions

View previous newsletters.

Connect With @ProBrewerPage

 Instagram    Facebook    Twitter

 

 

 

Join the ProBrewer mailing list

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy

Connect With @ProBrewerPage

 Instagram    Facebook    Twitter

Go Somewhere Else

News • Classifieds • Help Wanted / For Hire • Discussion • Library • Contact • Advertise • Contact Details • Help

Copyright © 2021 · RealBeer Media · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.