“We might have just been one of the first dominoes to fall,” said Ricardo Norgrove, the former owner of Bear Republic, known for its Racer 5 IPA. “You’re seeing a lot of breweries look at consolidation right now.”
Five years ago, it was ‘what can this brand do for me in the marketplace?’ ” Watson said. “Now a lot of brewers are being thoughtful about how these deals can help them run a more efficient business.”
Various factors are driving this slowdown. Breweries that rely on distribution — selling their beers to stores, restaurants and bars — have more competition than ever, not only from other breweries but also from hard seltzer, canned cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and other alternatives.
People don’t just saddle up to a craft beer bar to try the 10 beers on tap like they used to,” Long said. She sees the successful taprooms as the ones that offer additional entertainment — live music, destination-worthy food, comedy shows.- From Regan Long of Local Brewing Co. in San Francisco
So this definitely a national story that might be growing. Sucks.
Hey Doug, I don't know if you had a chance to read this, but an article today in SF Chronicle about this very topic. https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/craft-beer-bay-area-merger-18092324.php
Some highlights:
“We might have just been one of the first dominoes to fall,” said Ricardo Norgrove, the former owner of Bear Republic, known for its Racer 5 IPA. “You’re seeing a lot of breweries look at consolidation right now.”
Five years ago, it was ‘what can this brand do for me in the marketplace?’ ” Watson said. “Now a lot of brewers are being thoughtful about how these deals can help them run a more efficient business.”
Various factors are driving this slowdown. Breweries that rely on distribution — selling their beers to stores, restaurants and bars — have more competition than ever, not only from other breweries but also from hard seltzer, canned cocktails, nonalcoholic drinks and other alternatives.
People don’t just saddle up to a craft beer bar to try the 10 beers on tap like they used to,” Long said. She sees the successful taprooms as the ones that offer additional entertainment — live music, destination-worthy food, comedy shows.- From Regan Long of Local Brewing Co. in San Francisco
So this definitely a national story that might be growing. Sucks.