Are you really sure you’re enjoying a craft beer? Check the list below to make sure, you might be surprised!
AB InBev
Aside from the water with malt flavored Bud & Bud Light, AB InBev owns:
- 10 Barrel Brewing Co.
- Alexander Keith’s
- Best Damn Brewing Company
- Blue Point Brewing Company
- Breckenridge Brewery
- Elysian Brewing Company
- Devils Backbone Brewing Company
- Four Peaks
- Golden Road
- Goose Island Brewery
- Hoegaarden
- Karbach Brewing Company
- Wicked Weed
- Shock Top Belgian White
- Stella Artois
AB InBev also has a nice little stake in the Craft Brew Alliance, which owns:
- Redhook
- Widmer Brothers Brewing
- Kona Brewing Co.
- Omission Beer
- Appalachian Mountain Brewery
- Cisco Brewers Inc. (Booooooooooo!)
- Resignation Brewery (I remember when The Chive was good…)
MillerCoors
And we’re not done! Let check out who MillerCoors owns:
- Blue Moon
- Crispin cider
- Foster’s
- Killian’s
- Leinenkugel’s
- Red Dog (this is still a thing!)
- Red’s Apple Ale
- Saint Archer
- Smith & Forge Cider
- Steel Reserve (don’t get too broken up)
- Terrapin
- Third Shift
Other Quick Hits
- Sadly, Ballast Point Brewing is owned by Constellation Brands, the same company that brews Corona in the US.
- Just recently, Heineken N.V. went full in on Lagunitas, buying the remaining 50% they didn’t already own. Heine also owns Strongbow cider as well.
- According to most qualifications, Guinness also isn’t a craft beer.
- Technically speaking Founders Brewing isn’t considered craft, as they are 30% owned by Mahou-San Miguel Group.
And I’m sure there are some missing and some that may unfortunately decide to buy in. I’m not telling you that you should never consume these beers. I know damn well I’ll probably have Goose Island, Ballast Point, Lagunitas, Founders probably even Blue Moon & Leine again. But if you care about your independent craft brewers, it’s usually pretty easy to find a replacement for any of the beers listed above, and probably a superior quality one at that.
