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Homebrew -- Brought to You By AB InBev?

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https://www.homebrewtalk.com/anheuser-busch-inbev-acquires-northern-brewer-midwest-supplies.html

The rumors started days ago have ended in the last 48 hours with confirmation direct from Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies today that indeed, they were acquired by Anheuser-Busch InBev, the multi-national super conglomerate that owns Budweiser and Miller. More precise the deal was announced as being completed by ‘ZX Ventures’, the disruptive growth unit of AB InBev. Anheuser-Busch InBev now has market share of 70% of beer sales in the United States after getting Justice Department approval of a merger.Northern Brewer opted for Chris Farley, the listed ‘Founder’ and not the Northern Brewer President to confirm the announcement today.

"Many of you have seen the news that we’ve closed a deal to be acquired by ZX Ventures, the global Disruptive Growth Unit of Anheuser-Busch InBev."


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Why would AB InBev Bother with a Homebrew Supply Shop Like Northern Brewer?

Northern Brewer & Midwest Supplies were likely a sought after purchase due to a reported annual revenue of at least $50,000,000. Some worry this acquisition along with their deep capital could allow them to pivot into the wholesale market in an attempt to gain massive control of the homebrew industry in a vertical growth move.
Many on Homebrew Talk and reddit have speculated on exactly what disruptive growth means to the small and tight-knit homebrew community. Only time will tell what impact they will have on the hobby and smaller retailers that help grow and teach the industry.
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This seems like an odd move to me. It'll be interesting to see how it goes, but I fear that they may try to drive homebrew suppliers out of business and then have control over homebrew supplies. Northern Brewer and Midwest Supplies were my very least favorite of the large online homebrew supply stores, so it will not be hard for me to continue staying away. But what if they now offer bulk sacks of grain for 33% less than MoreBeer and William's Brewing? Will the other large online retailers be able to compete? And if they can't and AB InBev controls the homebrew supply market what will their goal be? There's no way it will represent a significant amount of their overall profits, so it won't be about being the best homebrew supply option out there for brewers like me. Do they even want homebrewing to be a thing? I can't imagine they really do. This is just part of their larger strategy.

I don't like it.
 
Anti-trust is dead in America bro. One more reason we need to elect Trump to shake the system up. I go to Walmart an Target. Same prices. I go to Verizon an t-mobile. Same prices. I go to Lowes am Home Depot. Appliances are literally within 1 penny. Faux wood drapes come in same packaging but differnt names. Identical prices.

Corporate America has bought the injustice department.
 
I just don't see what a company that controls 70% of the beer sales and does more than 60Billion in profits wants to buy a homebrew supply company that does 50M in total sales. Might make a couple million in profit...before homebrewers abandon them because AB InBev is hated in the homebrew community.
 
It's kinda like, why would companies like Apple and Microsoft buy up small start up software companies.


It seems to happen all the time.
 
ONE LOVE said:
It's kinda like, why would companies like Apple and Microsoft buy up small start up software companies.


It seems to happen all the time.
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They but people out for their innovations and patents. There's nothing all that innovative about a homebrew retailer.
 
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