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(Courtesy Wooden Robot Brewery)
The beer biz never sleeps at American Craft Beer. And here’s just some of what’s been happening in the beer world while you were drinking your way through the weekend.
Wooden Robot Co-Founder Dies In Brewery Fall
On February 20, Dan Wade, co-founder of The Wooden Robot Brewery in Charlotte, NC, died after a fall-related incident at one of the brewery’s two locations, prompting the temporary closure of both taprooms.
Wade leaves behind his wife and newborn son, according to Jacki Keating, who helped organize a GoFundMe campaign for Wade’s immediate family. More than $173,000 has been raised through the online fundraiser reports People.
Josh Patton, who co-founded Wooden Robot Brewery with Wade, confirmed his friend’s death in a statement shared on Facebook. He asked the public to “respect the privacy” of Wade’s loved ones “in this incredibly difficult time.”
“We are all still in shock and need time to process everything, but we will do our best to keep everyone in the loop for when we open up our taprooms again,” Patton added. “Your thoughts and prayers for Dan’s family, his wife, and his son are much appreciated at this time.
Words to Drink By
“‘Just because it happened to you doesn’t mean it’s interesting” Dennis Hopper – American actor and film director
(Image: Jacob Aarup-Andersen, CEO, Carlsberg)
Carlsberg CEO: Russia Stole Our Business
On February 24th 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 2014. That action led many international breweries to sell their operations and exit the authoritarian state.
Anheuser-Busch was able to sell its joint stake with Turkish brewer Anadolu Efe and successfully exit the country. Heineken announced plans to sell off its Russia business after a strategic review concluded it was “no longer sustainable nor viable in the current environment,” and they got out as well.
Like Anheuser-Busch and Heineken, Carlsberg had pledged to cut ties with Russia, but in spite of its announced plans to exit the country by the end of last year, the process of separating operations in Russia from the rest of its business proved challenging.
And after extended efforts by Carlsberg to liquidate its holdings, the two Baltika Breweries were appropriated by Russia, and it remains so today. “ There is no way around the fact that they have stolen our business in Russia,” said Carlsberg new CEO Aarup-Andersen. “We’re not going to enter into a transaction with the Russian government that somehow justifies them taking over our business illegally.”
Aarup-Andersen added that he “cannot guarantee” the Russian brewery will produce Carlsberg products. But “that is our expectation.”
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