Anheuser- Busch InBev showed today that its intention to seek out growth through craft brewery acquisition is still an important part of its overall business strategy.
Karbach Brewing, the Houston based craft brewery known for its broad portfolio of acclaimed and popular beers, is about to join The High End, a business unit of Anheuser- Busch InBev that concentrates its efforts on craft and import beer brands. The fast growing Houston- based craft beer maker will join Breckenridge, Four Peaks Brewing, Elysian Brewing and several others on the short but growing list of A-B Inbev conquests.
Karbach Brewing co- founders Ken Goodman and Chuck Robertson are more than satisfied with the progress Karbach has made since its founding five years ago and they look to the Anheuser- Busch acquisition to now take the company to even greater levels of success.
“Chuck and I started the brewery five years ago on Karbach Street in Houston, where the warehouse was located for the beer distribution company we started decades before. After watching so much great beer move through our warehouse over the years we decided it was time to add our own to that list,” said Goodman. “Karbach is the heart and soul of our beer industry careers, and we are thrilled about this new partnership with The High End and what it will mean for our dream to give more Texans the most unique, unexpected, and exciting beers they’ll have fun drinking.”
“We are so grateful for the growth we’ve experienced in this first phase of Karbach, but we have maxed out our growth potential on our own, and a partnership with The High End will open doors to keep innovating and experimenting with our unique styles and continue to expand,” added Robertson. “While we are joining a talented and innovative group of craft breweries in The High End, Karbach will retain a high level of independence, and the existing management and brewing teams will continue to drive culture and strategy, all while having fun building our brands.”
Karbach’s quick rise in the craft beer ranks was likely what grabbed the attention of Anheuser- Busch and its High End management team. Karbach had already reached 17,000 barrels of annual production in its second year and then leaped to 40,000 barrels only one year later. To meet demand, Karbach opened a new brewhouse in 2014 and added a restaurant and biergarten shortly afterward. Beer distribution was expanded to the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the summer of 2015, pushing sales ever higher.
Anheuser-Busch wants to capitalize on Karbach’s momentum even further, increasing output as high as 150,000 barrels per year by 2019. Felipe Szpigel, president of The High End, says Karbach Brewing’s great respect and popularity in its home state, along with the excellent leadership and other positive qualities, makes the partnership one that is almost certain to elevate Karbach to even greater heights.
“Karbach has built a unique, thriving brand rooted in the Texas spirit,” said Szpigel. “From the beginning, they have shown creativity and passion with the super beers they brew, and they’ve been able to use their unique offerings to appeal to the laid back lifestyle that resonates with Texans. Pair these qualities with dynamic leadership, an amazing brewing team, and a dream to do more, and you have a recipe for a promising future together.”
Great Beer Now has been an enthusiastic supporter of Karbach Brewing since its founding but, I must admit, the reality of an Anheuser- Busch InBev takeover is a tough beer to swallow. It’s like an unforeseen sucker punch to the midsection- the type that leaves you vulnerable, defenseless, and uncertain. Will Anheuser- Busch leave well enough alone, or will a series of bitch moves follow? Only time will tell.
I won’t be surprised at all when other Karbach Brewing fans vow to shift their allegiance elsewhere once they hear the news. Yes, the classic Karbach offerings such as Hopadillo, Vice Versa Wheat, and Weekend Warrior will continue as before, but with A-B InBev at the helm, the company’s reputation is bound to suffer, at least at first. I will probably continue to enjoy my Karbach beers regardless but I cannot speak for the masses, many of whom are likely poised and ready to leap off of the Karbach ship and drift toward safer, more secure craft beer vessels still locally owned and controlled.
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