Goose Island Sold to Anheuser-Busch

By Chuck Sudo in Food on Mar 28, 2011 2:51PM

Anheuser-Busch is set to buy Goose Island for a cool $38.8 million, according to the Tribune. For those of us familiar with the beer industry, the news doesn't come as a shock. A-B (through Widmer Brothers brewing Co.) has had a 40 percent stake in the company since 2006. That deal opened the doors for Goose Island to increase its sales by reaching more accounts via A-B's national distribution network.

Goose Island's John Hall told the Tribune's Josh noel that he didn't make the deal so that A-B could "change what we're doing." Hall announced the sale in a letter to the troops this morning and said that the beers they do well, like their expansive line of Belgian style ales and Bourbon County Stout, won't be affected by the move. Also not being affected by the move are the two Goose Island brewpubs, which will still be owned by Hall and his investment team.

Brewmaster Greg Hall is also stepping down. He'll be replaced by Head Brewer Brett Porter, who joined the company last year from Oregon's Deschutes Brewing. Greg hall is set to make an announcement of his future plans in the upcoming weeks.