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Author Topic: Wicked Weed purchased by AB  (Read 13810 times)

Offline Phil_M

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2017, 10:14:35 am »
To be clear, I don't begrudge somebody for selling their brewery. It's part of free enterprise. Just not gonna buy from ABI craft breweries.

Again, I agree. I don't believe for a minute that "big beer" is evil, I just think ABI is evil. Guinness's recent work with the Maryland Brewer's Association is a great example of big beer helping out everyone.
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Offline majorvices

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2017, 10:53:17 am »
Breweries looking for an exit? I don't believe it!
   Would you turn your nose up at a billion dollars? A hundred million dollars? Ten million dollars?

If the payout was right I would sell out in a heart beat.

narvin

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2017, 10:57:47 am »
They've been open for what, 4 years?

Seems like startup mentality.  Make a company just to get bought out.  I thought they were better than that.

Offline darwin18

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2017, 12:04:58 pm »
My wife and I went to their brew pub location a couple years ago and the Funkatorium last fall.  We had a great time and enjoyed all of their great beers.  The evening we were at the brew pub they were selling Pernicious for $2.50 a draft.  That said, I find this incredibly disappointing.

I don't begrudge any business owner from making a business decision and I understand the sale of Wicked Weed is ultimately a business decision.  Good for the owners for building a successful business and selling it for  what I presume is a massive windfall.

This still feels like a punch in the gut, however.  I'm also sure the City of Asheville is just thrilled to have ABI in the heart of their downtown right now.  I will not be purchasing any more Wicked Weed products going forward.  There is a plethora of great, GREAT craft breweries in North Carolina that aren't owned by ABI.  Jade IPA by Foothills is just as good if not better than Pernicious.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2017, 12:05:21 pm »
Breweries looking for an exit? I don't believe it!
   Would you turn your nose up at a billion dollars? A hundred million dollars? Ten million dollars?

If the payout was right I would sell out in a heart beat.
Damn it Keith. My unwarranted romanticized vision of you has been ruined.

narvin

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2017, 12:07:05 pm »
Are they going to brew it the hard way now?

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Offline dmtaylor

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2017, 12:13:43 pm »
Breweries looking for an exit? I don't believe it!
   Would you turn your nose up at a billion dollars? A hundred million dollars? Ten million dollars?

If the payout was right I would sell out in a heart beat.

Damn it Keith. My unwarranted romanticized vision of you has been ruined.

FWIW, my retirement is available to be bought at any time for the low low price of $5 million.

Wicked Weed is one crazy busy brewery.  I remember spending 15 minutes trying to find a legal place to park, couldn't, parked illegally, took one step in the door, saw how incredibly busy the place was with nowhere to sit or stand, turned around and went back to my illegally parked car, and drove away.

Their beer is okay, but not worth the hype.  But if I can get it on every street corner in near future, I might, but only if the price comes down to less than $30/case.
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Offline BrewBama

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2017, 05:11:03 pm »
It's just business. No guarantees the breweries bought will continue to brew or not.


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Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #23 on: May 03, 2017, 05:34:26 pm »
It's just business. No guarantees the breweries bought will continue to brew or not.


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Just to put on the tin foil hat for a minute, maybe that's part of the plan,  paying someone to go away. Unfortunately ABI's motives are suspect and ripe for cynicism. Hat off now.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #24 on: May 03, 2017, 05:37:59 pm »
I really don't think that's their end game. Too many great to exceptional breweries out there to buy them all up.

I think brands and credibility are their game.

Offline BrewBama

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Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #25 on: May 03, 2017, 05:42:18 pm »
If AB can buy the brewery or the distribution contract they control the retail availability. Classic business model.


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« Last Edit: May 03, 2017, 05:46:13 pm by BrewBama »

Offline HoosierBrew

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #26 on: May 03, 2017, 05:46:04 pm »
I really don't think that's their end game. Too many great to exceptional breweries out there to buy them all up.

I think brands and credibility are their game.


I mostly agree. But if a few fail along the way, seems like a win-win to me.
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Offline Stevie

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #27 on: May 03, 2017, 05:47:08 pm »
Are you saying they buy with the intention of removing the brand from shelves?

Offline majorvices

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Re: Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #28 on: May 03, 2017, 05:58:31 pm »
They are buying portfolios to fill up grocery store shelves and restaurant taps to squeeze local breweries out. Obviously that is the only game they are playing.

Offline Stevie

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Wicked Weed purchased by AB
« Reply #29 on: May 03, 2017, 06:00:58 pm »
They are buying portfolios to fill up grocery store shelves and restaurant taps to squeeze local breweries out. Obviously that is the only game they are playing.
Right, because those brands have value and credibility. "Beer snobs" are the minority. Average Joe's see something new or something they heard of and want to try it. They don't know AB is the owner.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2017, 06:05:28 pm by Stevie »