October 17, 2016
Quality Wine & Ale Supply
Anheuser-Busch / InBev Acquires Northern Brewer & Midwest Supplies
The Justice Department approved the acquisition, gives conglomerate 70% market share of beer sales in the United States
After nearly a week of speculation, it has been announced by the founder of Northern Brewer, Chris Farley, that the homebrew supply store, along with its sister company Midwest Supplies, has been acquired by the worlds largest beer company. The 107 billion dollar deal received the go ahead from the Justice Department, after the merger caught the attention of antitrust and DOJ officials last fall.
The announcement comes on the heels of several Anheuser-Busch acquisitions, including the purchase of many craft breweries around the country.
The company will keep its existing leadership and employees, Todd Jackson of Northern Brewer has confirmed, however, it has many in the homebrew industry, both craft breweries and homebrewers alike, asking how this take over of the countrys largest homebrew shop will affect the homebrew community.
There is much speculation and worry within the homebrewing community that Anheuser-Buschs deep capital could allow them to pivot into the wholesale market in an attempt to gain massive control of the homebrew industry in a vertical growth move.
What are the possible implications of one of the worlds largest conglomerates taking control over a small, tight-knit community? Only time will tell.
