Dive Brief:
- Anheuser-Busch InBev will be acquiring Elysian Brewing Company in Seattle. The purchase additionally comes with four brewpubs.
- BevNet notes this is AB InBev's third craft brewery purchase in the past year and its fourth since 2011. Food Dive reported on AB InBev's 10 Barrel acquisition back in November.
- "With the support of Anheuser-Busch, we will build on past successes and share our beers with more beer lovers moving forward," said Elysian's CEO and co-founder Joe Bisacca in a news release.
Dive Insight:
"Throughout our journey we've been focused on brewing a portfolio of both classic and groundbreaking beers and supporting innovation and camaraderie in the beer industry through collaboration and experimentation. By joining with Anheuser-Busch we'll be able to take the next steps to bring that energy and commitment to a larger audience," said Elysian's co-founder and Head Brewer Dick Cantwell.
John Craven of BevNet makes an important point, and tweeted:
Has any brewery that's been acquired by AB-InBev taken a turn for the worse post-acquisition?
— John Craven @ BevNET (@BevNETCraven) January 23, 2015
This news comes as AB InBev is closing down its bottling facility in Newark, NJ. The world's biggest brewer announced job cuts in November.