Craft beer drinkers might have felt their stomachs flip-flop when news broke that Belgian brewing giant Duvel Moortgat and California’s Firestone Walker signed an agreement to combine their U.S. operations.
We’ve already seen corporate giant InBev purchase brewery’s such as Elysian in Seattle, Wash., and 10 Barrel Brewing Company in Bend, Ore., so we can’t fault craft beer purists for being a little apprehensive about this newest partnership.
David Walker and Adam Firestone later released a statement on the agreement that (hopefully) eased concerns:
“The riddle for us lately has been how to maintain [our] founding traits while serving a growing demand for our beers. It became increasingly clear that we needed a partner and brewer to solve this problem and to secure our brewing legacy for the future. But we held off, searching for the right match, specifically one with similar values, culture and independence.”
The statement went on to add that Firestone Walker “will continue to operate independently in Paso Robles as we have always done,” and that the brewery “will not miss a beat.”
The transaction is expected to be final later this year, and no financial details have been disclosed.
Craft beer drinkers like to support the locals, the little guys, so when news like this breaks, there is always concern that industry giants with loads of cash will come in and try to change things. That doesn’t seem to be the case with Duvel Moortgat.
Firestone Walker fans shouldn’t see any noticeable effect on the product they love as a result of this agreement. If anything, it should have a positive impact as Firestone Walker continues its growth. Duvel Moortgat is already partnered with Brewery Ommegang (2003) and Boulevard Brewing (2013), and both breweries are still producing quality beer with no signs of slowing down (or losing street cred).
Firestone Walker has spent the good part of 20 years perfecting its craft and building its brand. The folks behind it aren’t going to throw all of that away for a quick payday. Firestone and Walker even mentioned as much in their statement, saying this was about securing their “brewing legacy for the future.”
This isn’t the end for Firestone Walker. It’s the beginning of what can hopefully be a fruitful partnership for both parties, and craft beer drinkers should be excited for what’s to come. With strong financial backing, who knows what the future might hold for Firestone Walker?
