The Globalization of Local Craft Beer
By Julian HaydaThe Globalization of Local Craft Beer
By Julian HaydaWith Octoberfest upon us, many are turning to their favorite brews to settle into the fall. In the past, those interested in good beer would search high and low for their favorite microbrew or craft beer. Sometimes the beers were made in the same venues where they were consumed, or could only be purchased in select stores in a specific region. But in recent years, many craft brewers have been bought out by large multinational conglomerates. Chicago’s own Goose Island is now owned by Brazil and Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev. Goose Island is now served on every continent. Lagunitas, whose flagship brewery opened on the south side of Chicago in 2012, is now wholly owned by Heineken International. To discuss trends in international consolidation in the beer industry, we’re joined by the Chicago Tribune’s beer and spirits columnist, Josh Noel. He’s the author of Barrel-Aged Stout and Selling Out: Goose Island, Anheuser-Busch and How Craft Beer Became Big Business.