Todd Haug resigns from Surly Brewing

Makes sense. Why make other people money when its your own recipes that made them the money? At a certain point, life happens, and relationships strain. In NM, the craft beer brewing tree is pretty interesting to look at. Many learned early on to go as far as they felt comfortable, and then create their own venture. Lots of successful places that have branched out from the "big boys".

One always has to have their future and best interest written on the back of your palm, so to speak.

Just speculation. But it all seems the same anymore. Why give Mr. Todd a raise when his recipes will make so and so company money for years to come. It's a tough game out there. And we're seeing it more than ever before we get too saturated.

A head brewer, anymore, is replaceable with the addition of nearly 95% computer operated systems. New beer creation is another beast, but most places now a days see immense growth and stability in their core offerings, which have been established for years. As a company makes millions, the true artisan brewer is lost (if he isnt already an owner or co-owner).

Unless I'm off base here and he had a minority interest in the company or some sort of vested interested, he was always only known as the head brewer? I feel that can wear thin on a person when, again, others are making money off your own sweet and tears.

Craft beer isn't so kitten and puppy doll friendly as we envisioned. The ugly side is that many many owners are already millionaires who want to make money at all costs. The craft 'umbrella' is losing its strength. I'm not sure how Surly was structured but just reading aloud, it appears no different than many larger breweries who lose their top man.

 

Never had one of their beers. Always liked the name though. No distro around here amazingly.

Enjoy

 

It could just be that it was time to move on for Todd. I don't know Todd personally and only have talked to him a few times and for very short amount of time (well, and my wife actually asked about what he does for his skin care regiment since she thought he had very nice skin). But, he seems like a real down to earth, hardworking and hands on guy. It could just be that Surly has outgrown Todd. There are stories of him doing a lot of work setting up the original brewery in Brooklyn Park, things like welding and metal work.

Todd seems like he would be more at home at a smaller operation, where he is do a lot more of the hands on and day-to-day work.

 

My guess is that he is furious about it. #dadjoke

 

Maybe Todd sees something coming...

AB InBev, perhaps?

The things you hear on the street...

 

...in Germany?

 

They were a part of MN movement started by Mark Stutrud, Ted Marti, James Page, Bill Burdick Scott Johnson, and Tom Keim.

 

This is my guess too.

 

Man, I could see that, but it would be so disappointing. Surly just seems so opposite to macros with their independent ethos and aggressive beers and branding. That said, Stone gave into investors, so who knows?

 

They make some of my favorite beers. You want to go belly up screw around with Furious, Abrasive, or Darkness. I could survive quite easily on these. A killer trio any brewery would be proud to have in house.

 

There are rumors in the industry that Omar is looking to sell, and this seems to be an indication of that.

Don't be surprised is this brewery is swooped up by the King in the coming months

 

Ever hear of Lagunitas?

 

This is the dilemma, you hate smaller breweries to get brought into say the InBev umbrella, but with their financial abilities and distribution network I might expect Furious and Abrasive on my shelves. I wouldn't hate that, and they would from day 1 have a portfolio of great hoppy beers that are definitely legit. They could sell and still manage the day to day. I could see why this is an attractive option for smaller craft brewers in a killer competative market.

 

Well, Mitch Steele left Stone Brewing earlier this year too, right? What's the latest word from him? Todd Haug looking into other opportunities within the industry like Mitch said he was. Could this be the joining of Mitch & Todd to start a brewery?

 

Mitch Steele's new brewery is coming to Atlanta, Georgia

 

I thought AB signed something when buying Miller that said more craft investments are going to get more difficult. Not to say that another big guy isn't out there buying but I thought AB was going to have to slow down.

 

The only thing I recall related to buying distributors, but I didn't exactly study the issue....

 

ABinBev's agreement with the DoJ (which required it to sell SABMiller's share of MillerCoors) said that:

In theory, they could still approve other purchases of US breweries by ABInBev based on the local market. It had nothing to do with "craft investments" specifically.