Know Your Craft Beer; Big Beer Vs. Craft

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With the incredible amount of craft beer choices in today’s world, it may be hard to truly identify what is a craft brewery. “Big Beer”, or corporations who make mass produced beer brands, have been buying smaller craft breweries in troves. By doing this, there can be confusion for consumers on who is truly a craft brewery.

The one definition of craft beer that is widely used by the industry comes from the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit organization who’s purpose is “To promote and protect American craft brewers, their beers, and the community of brewing enthusiasts.”

So what makes up a craft brewery? These several factors play a key role:

Small

Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to rules of alternating proprietorships.

Independent

Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.

Brewer

Has a TTB Brewer’s Notice and produces beer.

The infographic below showcases just how much “big beer” is behind brands that were once considered craft.

The Illusion of Choice in Consumer Brands

Big Beer “Craft” Brand Purchases

Below showcases some of the big beer brands and craft purchases they have made throughout the years.

Anheuser-Busch InBev

AB InBev is a big beer conglomerate based in Belgium, they have been acquiring breweries since 2011.

2011 – Goose Island Brewing Company (IL)
2014 – Blue Point Brewing (NY)
2014 – 10 Barrel Brewing (OR)
2015 – Elysian Brewing (WA)
2015 – Four Peaks Brewery (AZ)
2015 – Golden Road Brewing (CA)
2016 – Breckinridge Brewery (CO)
2016 – Devil’s Backbone Brewing (VA)
2016 – Karback Brewing (TX)
2017 – Wicked Weed Brewing (NC)
2019 – Platform Beer Company (OH)
Shock Top (Created by AbInBev)
Veza Sur (Created by AbInBev)

MillerCoors

MillerCoors is the US big beer arm for Molson-Coors. Their first American craft brewery purchase was back in 1988.

Below is the list of breweries and the year they were acquired by MillerCoors.

1988 – Jacob Leinenkugal Brewing Company (WI)
2015 – Saint Archer Brewing (CA)
2016 – Hop Valley Brewing (OR)
2016 – Terrapin Brewing Company (GA)
2016 – Revolver Brewing (TX)
Blue Moon (Created by Miller Coors)
Colorado Native Lager (Created by Miller Coors)

Constellation Brands

Constellation Brands is the largest big beer importer in the United States. Their first American craft brewery purchase was in 2015.

Below is the list of breweries and the year they were acquired by Constellation.

2015 – Ballast Point Brewing (CA)
2017 – Funky Buddha Brewery (FL)
2018 – Four Corners Brewing (TX)

Craft Brew Alliance

Craft Brew Alliance started in 2007 when Redhook Ale Brewery and Widmer Brothers Brewery merged. Since the merger, Anheuser Busch InBev has become a 31.3% owner of Craft Brew Alliance.

Below is the list of breweries and the year they were acquired by Craft Brew Alliance.

2007 – Redhook Ale Brewery (WA)
2007 – Widmer Brothers Brewery (OR)
2010 – Kona Brewing (HI)
2012 – Omission Brewing
2018 – Appalachian Mountain Brewery (NC)
2018 – Cisco Brewers (NH)
2018 – Wynwood Brewing (FL)

North American Breweries

Also know as NAB & Florida Ice & Farm Co, they have a few purchases of craft beer in their history.

In 2008, Magic Hat Brewing (VT) purchased Pyramid Brewing (WA) and Portland Brewing (OR). In 2010, all 3 were purchased by North American Breweries. In 2012, NAB was then bought by Florida Ice & Farm Co.