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I’ve been staring at blank page all morning trying to get my hands around last night’s startling news that Firestone Walker had chosen to combine their company with Belgian brewing giant Duvel Moortgat. I’ve close friends in Paso Robles and was recently there covering their impressive Invitational. And although I’d heard rumors that they might be looking around for partners to further their growth – I’d largely dismissed them as just that- rumors…. So I was blindsided and stunned by last night’s bombshell announcement.
Some immediate thoughts on this thing…And I’m sure we’ll have more on this as events unfold.
Firestone Walker Is In Business
I wish that Firestone Walker had stayed independent – we’re fiercely independent here at ACB – and I just trust that more. At the same time, they’re in business, as we are. One of the reasons that this brewery has been so successful (in addition to the incredible beers that they brew) is that David Walker and Adam Firestone have built their company on solid business principles. And if growth is one of your goals (and why shouldn’t it be, if that’s what you choose for your organization) then difficult choices sometimes have to be made.
Duvel Moortgat Is A Decent Fit
It took me forever to realize that Ommegang was part of Duvel Moortgat’s international family. They continue to brew beers with integrity and they’ve a solid sense of self – farmhouse brewery specializing in Belgian style beers in Cooperstown New York. Boulevard Brewing is also now under the Belgian beer company’s umbrella – and guess what? They’re still brewing great beer and lost little of that Kansas City that so defines them.
I expect that both those associations factored mightily in Firestone Walker’s decision to align themselves with Duvel Moortgat. And unlike Elysian’s recent acquisition by AB InBev, I’m just more comfortable with this alliance (whether I’m being fair or not).
Craft Beer Is Fast Becoming A Global Force
And were excited about that. The fact that London is consistently a Top-5 city for us here at ACB speaks to the tremendous popularity and growing economic power of American Craft Beer abroad. It’s no mistake that Stone is building a destination production facility in Berlin. Or when Founders sold a 30% stake in their company to Spanish brewer, Mahou San Miguel. Increased production and wider distribution are clearly some of the things that Firestone Walker would hope to get out of this new arrangement. Is European production and distribution conceivable in the future? After all, David Walker’s a transplanted Brit and Duvel Moortgat is in Brussels…Just sayin’
We Will See More Moves Like This
This is but the beginning.
