At American Craft Beer, the beer biz never sleeps. And here’s just some of what’s been happening with craft beer, while you were drinking your way through the weekend.

Modern Moves For Modern Times (San Diego, CA) – Last Friday news broke that Modern Times Beer had entered the “brewery-sells-out” parade. But unlike Wicked Weed who opted to partner with Big Beer, Modern Times is selling itself to some of the people most responsible for the brewery’s impressive success – its employees.

Modern Times’ employees currently have a 30% stake in the company but the ESOP (employee stock ownership plan) was designed to allow the brewery’s crew 100% ownership in the future.

Brewery ESOP’s remain a relative rarity in the states, but we hope to see this progressive trend flourish, both here and abroad.

Employee Stock Ownership Plans are currently in place at some of the most forward-looking breweries in the country, including notables like New Belgium in Fort Collins, Colorado, Bend Oregon’s Deschutes and Harpoon in Boston.

Words To Drink By (Milton, DE) – ““Modern Times is proof that a start-up brewery can compete and win in the craft beer market without selling out…all the while taking outstanding care of our employees and rewarding our investors.” – Jacob McKean, founder & CEO of Modern Times

Bell’s Brewery To Upgrade Its World (Kalamazoo, MI) – And Modern Times isn’t the only brewery planning for its future, Bell’s Brewery has all kinds of new improvements coming down the pike. And according to the brewery those upgrade will take place at both their Comstock township loacation and their brewery in Kalamazoo.

Bell’s Comstock Township facility will be adding a new pilot brewery (yay!!!!) as well as a specialty packaging line.

A Smaller Pilot Brewery is also planned for Bell’s original location in beautiful downtown Kalamazoo, adjacent to Bell’s Eccentric Cafe, their celebrated pub and restaurant.

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