On July 26th, several deals were announced in the world of craft beer.  First the good: Brooklyn Brewery announced it purchased a “minority stake” in both 21st Amendment Brewery and Funkwerks.  On their blog, Brooklyn stated:

By our powers combined, we’ll be able to reach new markets, bring an incredible array of beers and styles to drinkers, and continue to grow and invest in all three breweries as independent craft brewers… Yes, that means Brooklyn Lager will someday soon pour in the Bay Area, and 21st Amendment cans will roll forth along the Gulf Coast, and Funkwerks will pop up in Brooklyn.

It is worth noting that this is the same rationale that other craft breweries have used when selling out to Corporate Beer.  The difference in this deal?  21st and FW are finding ways to improve their market position without selling out to the devil, which ultimate would hurt other craft brands.

On the not-so-good side, Short’s Brewing Company announced it had sold a 19.9% stake to Lagunitas, a.k.a. AB InBev.  By the numbers, short’s still qualifies as Craft in the eyes of the BA (and this website).  On their blog, Short’s rationalizes with the usual hogwash:

Short’s will maintain their individual brand image while gaining additional resources for continued opportunity to invest in Short’s staff, the Northern Michigan community, and opportunities to push the boundaries of creativity.

Neither Short’s video nor their blog make mention of the fact that they have in actuality sold a fifth of their company to AB Inbev.  Again one must ask, if this move is so good for their customers, why are they obscuring the essence of the deal?

In the comments section of the Short’s blog, user El Stone puts it perfectly:

 Dress it up and call it a “partnership” if you want if you want. But a huge European conglomerate now owns 20% of a company which was formerly owned and operated 100% in Michigan.

Yep.  Craft on.