Breckenridge Brewery Swallowed by Mammoth Anheuser-Busch InBev

Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B InBev), the world's largest brewery conglomerate, has acquired Breckenridge Brewery, Porch Drinking reported. The Belgian owned mammoth is swallowing the Breckenridge brand, brewing facilities, and tap rooms.

The Breckenridge-Wynkoop Restaurant Group will get to keep its other businesses, which include Denver's Ale House at Amato's, Breckenridge Colorado Craft, Wynkoop Brewing Company, and the Cherry Cricket; Fort Collins' Mainline; Colorado Springs' Phantom Canyon Brewing Co.; and Grand Junction's Breckenridge Ale House.

This latest acquisition is the last in a string of major purchases by A-B InBev that include SAB Miller, Four Peaks Brewery, and London's Camden Town Brewery.

Brewmaster and President of Breckenridge Brewery J. Todd Usry released this statement:

Today's announcement of our acquisition by Anheuser-Busch's craft and import division may come as a surprise to many of you. We want to share with you how we came to this decision, what it means to Breckenridge Brewery and to those who've supported us for so long.

We've been in this creative and dynamic industry for over 25 years, loving everything about it. That won't change. The passion for quality and culture that got us where we are today isn't going anywhere. We're proud of the fact that you can find our beers in 35 states; we've worked hard to get our beers to as many of you as possible throughout the years. The High End, Anheuser-Busch's craft and import division, shares the same excitement for our category and commitment to quality. We will join a group of established and innovative craft brewers as part of The High End, and we look forward to what opportunities these relationships will bring to us.

Our brewpub in Breckenridge, our Littleton brewery and its Farm House restaurant are all part of this new entity. Other properties under the Breckenridge-Wynkoop umbrella will continue to be owned and operated by B-W and are not part of this arrangement.

Of course, the same great team who helped build Breckenridge Brewery won't be going anywhere. We are excited about the opportunity this partnership brings to all of us. We'll continue to own decisions about the beers we create and the ingredients in them. What people relate to in this industry is authenticity. If there were plans to come in and change our employees, our culture, and our recipes, well, that would completely undermine the reason for the partnership at all. What this new partnership does offer us is access to resources that will help us continue to innovate and bring our beer to more people.

We ultimately owe our success to you, our followers and supporters. I hope you will give us the chance to prove to you over time that we will continue to be Breckenridge Brewery.

Sincerely,

J. Todd Usry

President, Breckenridge Brewery