Can a big beer company buy up a small microbrew and maintain the same quality and standards. Sure they say they're keeping some of the same people. But down the road, will the beer be the same?

I ask this because Anheiser Busch (aka Inbev), just bought Goose Island.

Curious to know what you think.

down the road aways i see rice(cheap filler) in the future...but in the next few years hopefully the BCS production(hopefully unchanged) will be ramped up,also keep in mind that this buyout coincides with a new brewmaster

Sam Adams is mass Produced...they put out a good Product consistently

Sam Adams is mass Produced...they put out a good Product consistently

Yeah, but Sam started out as the small guy and grew as demand increased. I think AB buying up a smaller brewery is different than that. Although, they already threw their hat in the craft brew ring with Shock Top a few years ago. I'd give them the benefit of doubt until they prove differently.

My basic argument was that good beer CAN be mass produced....so it can happen. Whether they decide to or not remains to be seen.

My basic argument was that good beer CAN be mass produced....so it can happen. Whether they decide to or not remains to be seen.

true Surly one of the highest rated brewerys around is all in the can:rotf2:

Yeah, but Sam started out as the small guy and grew as demand increased. I think AB buying up a smaller brewery is different than that. Although, they already threw their hat in the craft brew ring with Shock Top a few years ago. I'd give them the benefit of doubt until they prove differently.

Agreed on Sam Adams. Jim Koch started the company and it's still in his hands. From what I've read, Goose Island decided to sell in order to expand. Case of growing too fast? You then have Dogfish Head, who's just pulled out of RI, in order to keep from overextending themselves.

Time will tell what happens with Goose Island. Hopefully, they don't mess up a good thing.

If you ever go to Chicago, stop into the Goose Island Brewery and restaurant.It's worth the trip.

Interesting read on Discovery's sudden cancellation on their Brewmaster's Series:
Anheuser-Busch is said to have coerced Discovery Channel into canceling Brewmasters
Was Brewmasters Killed by “Big Beer”? Beer & Whiskey Brothers Blog (http://beerandwhiskeybros.com/2011/03/30/was-brewmasters-killed-by-big-beer/)

You have to ask yourself....do I really trust InBev? Well, do you? Or SAB for that matter. Driven solely and completely by $$$$$$$. So what do you get?

So what do you get?

Beer to mow your lawn with......

From what I am hearing Goose Island is neither the first nor the last. A very disturbing trend is afoot.

You have to ask yourself....do I really trust InBev? Well, do you? Or SAB for that matter. Driven solely and completely by $$$$$$$. So what do you get?

I't not like they're being forced to sell. Don't you think that the smaller breweries who are selling to the big boys are doing it for the $$$$$$? They may have gotten into brewing the micros as a labor of love, but at some point they were hoping to make a nice living doing it. I bet most of the real small brewers would love to be the next Sam Adams.