Opinion On AB Purchase of Goose Island

Look everyone, I am a craft beer freak and will continue to support the industry until I die but lets get real for a minute. First of all the quality of the beer will not change at all. AB has some of the finest Brewers and beer minds in the industry employed at their disposal. If anything the quality and consistency will get better over time because of the facility upgrades. Also keep in mind that the current brewer is stepping down May 1st to help with branding and other things and they announced that Brett Porter from Deschutes will take over the position as head brewer.Second it will still be marketed and distributed over a larger area so those never having such a fine quality beer will now have a chance to do so.Third I am tired of this whole selling out thing! The bottom line is The big guys like AB and SAB Miller are loosing market share to the craft beer industry. It is much easier to buy a quality existing craft brewery that has a following than develop brand and market a new line. Then you also have to convince Craft Beer lovers to buy it despite being made by the Antichrist large brewery. These guys are so good and have so much money that they could make any type of beer to rival any top craft brewery but the stigma of being one of the big guys will prohibit them from selling enough to make it profitable. The best thing is to buy in like they did with Goose Island and run it like it is a separate entity and it will be a win win for all. We get more distribution of one of our favorite beers, the quality remains the same if not better and the AB digs back into the market share a little. Get used to it my friends because this is only the start of what is surely to become a normal thing over the course of the next 5 years or so. Can you blame Goose Island? They worked hard,made great products and are now cashing in on it. Everyone gets into business for the big payday at the end so kudos to Goose Island. All we can do is continue to love and support or local,regional and national craft brewers. When they make it to the big time or "Sell Out" Give them a hug,wish them well. We are in good shape and for every one craft brewer that cashes in there will be 100 new ones opening up. Cheers!!