Did The Bruery Sell Out..and I'm Kind of OK with It. | Beer Geek Nation Craft Beer Reviews

[@nwoking666]

Two thoughts. 1. is price. There have been multiple times I have wanted to buy The Bruery but a $29.99 price tag (or more) is a major turn off for a beer that I haven't tried yet (despite great reviews by others) and may not like compared to cheaper bottles. 2. I wonder if this is for international distribution, since as you said a CA craft beer company already has distribution into most of the east coast (at least Mid-Atlantic region PA, DE, DC, MD and VA I've seen The Bruery).

[@richardsavila]

Castanea Partners is a private equity firm. These are the goals of a private equity firm. 1) an initial public offering (IPO) - shares of the company are offered to the public, typically providing a partial immediate realization to the financial sponsor as well as a public market into which it can later sell additional shares; 2) a merger or acquisition - the company is sold for either cash or shares in another company; 3) a recapitalization - cash is distributed to the shareholders (in this case the financial sponsor) and its private equity funds either from cash flow generated by the company or through raising debt or other securities to fund the distribution." That being said, It's not far fetched to say that The Bruery will be "streamlined" and "leaned out" (code word for layoffs) in the near future to make it more attractive for potential buyers like AB IN-BEV or SAB Miller-Coors and maximize their profits in the sale for their investors.

[@XTheSonofTheSunX]

sounds like their backs were up against the financial wall, and this was the best option that they were able to find. cheers

[@MrRealgib3]

I just pray the money goes to a new bottling format. Sooooo much of their stuff sits on shelves and never gets touched because of the giant bottles.

[@surfing636]

I've noticed the supermarket section for beer has increased the In-Bev selection, which leaves less space for others, Boycott In-Bev & by the others!

[@gorequillnachovidal]

Full disclosure, Chris works for Castanea. :P

[@rocketsauce77]

Maybe they did to lower their ridiculous prices.

[@brandongerringer5058]

Agreed. Their shit just sits on the shelf here.

[@Amocoru]

7 swans a swimming sold like hot cakes here. I barely even got two before it sold out right away.

[@mitch89014]

I agree, never buy old beer, most people do not even check the dates, amazing!!!

[@ras124]

whether its ab inbev or a takeover company, everyones looking to get into the craft beer "craze". that's where the growth is. bain capital is the biggest culprit of this activity. the problem with bain is they lay off half the company after the takeover.

[@Shawn-in-da-Canyon]

That's to bad. The Bruery is my favorite brewery. As popular as they are, how could they not be making good money? Or do they just want to make a boatload more? I don't get it. You give up three out of five seats and they will find away to get the last two. That's ok, I'll be saving s lot of money. Their beer isn't exactly cheap.

[@Perfect5Recurve]

I agree with you on rather it being an investor over InBev/Heineken et al.but I'm not so sure I see this as a bad thing. I'm not too far from you and I know two spots in central NY that I can find their beers and with that being said, i don't know what they're thinking. I love The Bruery but I don't like paying $20+ per bottle just to enjoy their stuff.

[@shwiger]

It's worrisome. At some point the investors will want to cash out. Who will they sell their stock to?

[@erwinsembrano2302]

i hope the best turns out for them and for the consumers, hopefully more black tuesday and other hard to get beers. maybe more distribution? sure. and i hope they do not sell out and or get bought out.

[@mitch89014]

I think are right, it is about distribution, I only know what brewery that does care about that, it is Russian River, and maybe they want to expand and not wait, timing is a key component in craft beer, has became quite trendy of late, example, just a very few years ago. beer geeks we're seeking out west coast style beers, now it is the east coast style, what's next? But these breweries are aware that what is current and sought out get change very quickly, Cheers Chris!!!

[@wolco003]

That's what Lagunitas said...and Crest fills our shelves in Socal with 2 month old shit that never moves.

[@TimFitzwater]

There are so many good breweries - I don't think this is terrible news - but I'll stick to the true independents. Maybe in the grand scheme it makes no difference - but I'll give me money to the little guys for my own piece of mind. I live right by Hoppin' Frog - better than the Bruery and similarly priced big bottles.

[@pole_barn_builder]

The beer pour is too loud at the beginning, drowns out the new music!!

[@uwood83]

Really...they just started offshoot beer that specializes in hazzy ipa. i didnt see this coming either

[@b0ssbeerreviews83]

That Hammer Of The Beast is killer, eh? Cheers

[@mitch89014]

No review on Born again yesterday???

[@DanABA]

We have to remind ourselves of why we think it is bad that ABInBev buys craft breweries (here is a great article that has some worthwhile speculation: goodbeerhunting.com/blog/2017/5/5/watch-the-hands-not-the-cards-the-magic-of-megabrew). Now, we know who the enemy is, and we know why. We have to figure out if these investments companies belong in that category. For now, I don't see a reason why we should. The bottom line is that ABInBev wants to out-compete craft and gain back its growth. That means that larger craft breweries like Stone, New Belgium, and DogfishHead, are their target for taking shelf space, tap handles, and market share away from. Let's toss these investment companies in there as competitors to ABInBev: Oscar Blues/Cigar City, Bruery, etc. Until ABInBev buys out these investment companies themselves, I don't think they are a threat, but instead, an ally because they can help compete against ABInBev!

[@ZiggyCrosby]

How many of these great brewers are great business people or have one by their side? When industries boom like craft beer does, there comes a point where competition tests their business skills. Its only natural many will be taking on investors.

[@wolco003]

New music and Beard...Getting an "A"...

[@Ryansbbqnbrew]

Yea agreed $30 for a 750ml no thank u.

[@Krelianx]

The Bruery puts out good beer for exorbitant prices. But just good. Other than their anniversary series, and a few other big ones, their beers aren't really worth what they charge for. They put out a gazillion gimmicky beers, and several plain bad ones. So people have genuinely lost interest in them. Their sour program has never struck me as that good, to be honest. And their big beers are great, but difficult to come by, and insanely priced. I'm not surprised they are in financial trouble. They just ain't that good.

[@yamadawg619]

Krelianx X yup several bad ones. And it's not like you pay 11 to 15 bucks for it. Most of em start at 21 and work up from there. But yes several bad ones

[@mar-i-o]

With the amount of unique brands they push a year ill take a few bad ones. You take the hit on a L’Deracola or a Kyuri Dragon every now just to get through their catalog. A '14 sourrento and a madeira sucre have been some of my most memorable beer tasting experiences. Not to include the pours by the bruery and their brethren happening at the anniversary festival every year :)