Goose Island brewery sold to Anheuser-Busch
Sun-Times Media reports March 29, 2011 3:52PM
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
CHICAGO — Fulton Street Brewery LLC, the Chicago-based company that brews Goose Island beers, has agreed to be acquired by Anheuser-Busch, the company announced Monday.
Anheuser-Busch will pay $22.5 million for a 58 percent share in Goose Island’s holding company, known for its Honkers Ale, 312 Urban Wheat Ale and Matilda beers. An additional $1.3 million will be invested to increase at Goose Island’s brewery production at 1800 W. Fulton this summer.
Anheuser-Busch has distributed Goose Island brands since 2006. The transaction is expected to close in June.
Goose Island founder and President John Hall said he will remain with the company as its chief executive officer. He said the deal will allow the craft brewer to increase its production and distribution in Chicago and the Midwest.
“Demand for our beers has grown beyond our capacity to serve our wholesale partners, retailers and beer lovers,” Hall said. He said the deal’s structure will allow Goose Island to “strictly maintain our recipes and brewing processes.”
The minority owner of the company also sold its stake. Craft Brewers Alliance Inc., a publicly traded brewer based in Portland, Ore., sold its 42 percent stake to Anheuser-Busch for $16.3 million in cash.
Anheuser-Busch is part of Anheuser-Busch InBev, based in Belgium. Its global beer brands include Budweiser, Beck’s and Stella Artois.
Goose Island said it sold about 127,000 barrels in 2010.
“These critically acclaimed beers are the hometown pride of Chicagoans,” said Dave Peacock, president of Anheuser-Busch Inc.
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