Which craft brewers will “sell out?”
Brooklyn Brewery Co-Founder and President, Steve Hindy, thinks some will…
SND: What are the biggest challenges facing craft brewers today?
Hindy: The issue of succession is a big concern for my generation of craft brewers. Some have answers to it, but I think others will sell out to bigger brewers. All of the big brewers who aren’t in this category are interested in entering it, and those that are already in it are aiming to expand their craft presence.
via Shanken News Daily.
Breweries: The Brooklyn Brewery
Succession planning is important in any industry and all sectors: business, government, or nonprofit. I’m sure this could be something that a fair amount of brewers are overlooking. However, it will take proper planning to ensure that breweries are passed on to the right people who will maintain integrity and remain independent. Successful brewers concerned about their legacy will ensure that this happens. Cynics looking for a cash grab will consider selling to AB-InBev to be their retirement plan.
You can’t ensure the future of your brewery after you leave it. What happens at that point is in the hands of others.
I am not sure I would call the founder of Goose Island a cynic.
Ok, maybe cynic was a little rough of a word, but you CAN ensure what happens to your brewery after you retire IF you have a succession plan. By making sure you have the right people in the right positions before you decide to hang it up, you can continue the legacy of locally produced, independent craft beer and maintain the integrity of the brewery and brand that you created. It’s all about identifying talent, both within your organization and, if need be, from the outside. How many assistant brewers out there would love to take over as the head brewer of an established brewery and help to carry on the tradition of a local independent brewery? To me, selling to AB-InBev is a lazy cash grab, and someone who really cares about what the lasting legacy of their brewery will be would not do that. And look at Goose Island…they’ve tabled a whole bunch of their highly regarded bigger beers this year in favor of a lager program…
When did AB buy part of Goose Island? (Not the recent full purchase.) In my mind Goose Island has always been AB, so Patrick’s comment has sparked an interest.