Sellouts!

Today’s beer culture reads very much like a David versus Goliath story. Brewers are expected to remain small, brew every batch by hand (literally), share their struggles and successes with sympathetic consumers and colleagues, and raise a fist at those damn big breweries that are out to get them.

But if a small brewer sells out, they’re scorned by their so-called community. Unless the buyer is a “craft” brewer, of course. Then it’s high-fives all around.

Call it what you want, but consolidation isn’t automatically a bad thing, and sometimes it’s necessary. For some, it’s sell or die. The brewery might lack funding to add staff, or equipment. Or maybe it’s a family business, and passing it on isn’t an option. Some brewery owners just don’t have the skills to run a business successfully. Others simply want out.

Besides, the pros for selling are hard to argue:

• Money. Who wouldn’t like a little more of it?
• Easier access to critical resources, from raw materials to quality control.
• Increased distribution, marketing and sales support.

As for the potential cons, there are several to consider:

• Other breweries perceiving an unfair advantage (see pros).
• Giving up full or partial control over a company you founded.
• Losing integrity and recognition as “craft” in the eyes of some.

At the end of the day, consolidation is a natural byproduct of a maturing industry. It’s an inevitable part of the life cycle in nearly every field of business. You don’t have to like it, but you’d better get used to it.

Respect Beer. ■