Goeler declined to say how many craft brewers Anheuser-Busch intends to snap up around the country. "Second is the culture, the authenticity that the owners have built up." Competition intense "The beer is the center of it all," he said. The Four Peaks owners weren't comfortable with that, and coincidentally that's when Anheuser-Busch called, Ingram said.Īnheuser-Busch has its own hop farm and malt house, not to mention laboratories and other advantages that Four Peaks now will be able to utilize, he said.Īndy Goeler, CEO of craft for the High End, said that what really drew the company's attention to Four Peaks was the beer. "Their plan was to grow aggressively for two to three years and sell or flip us." Ingram said Four Peaks had approached the consulting firm First Beverage Group to find a buyer and spoke with other interested parties, including private-equity groups. Ingram said that Four Peaks and the Arizona Craft Brewers Guild had been working on language for the new law for two to three years before the 2015 Legislative session, long before the company began seeking a partner. Now, people all across the country can experience what we in Arizona have been experiencing for a long time, an ice cold beer from Four Peaks Brewery - made right here in our state." "Big congrats are in order for the team at Four Peaks who worked hard for two decades to get to this moment. “This is truly an Arizona success story, and the American dream in action," Ducey said in a prepared statement after the deal was announced Friday. Doug Ducey signed the bill at Four Peaks' Tempe brewery.
Four Peaks expects to sell 70,000 barrels of beer this year.įour Peaks and Chandler's SanTan Brewing Co., among other brewers in the state, wanted the limits increased so they could produce enough beer to distribute outside of Arizona.
Senate Bill 1030 increased the amount of beer that Arizona breweries could produce annually fivefold to 200,000 barrels a year without having to separate their brewing operations from their popular pubs. A barrel is 31 gallons, or two full-size kegs. It includes craft brands Goose Island, Blue Point, 10 Barrel, Elysian and Golden Road.Ī change in Arizona law this year, which increased the amount of beer that Arizona breweries could produce annually, may have made Four Peaks more attractive to Anheuser-Busch. The High End unit is intended to provide "unique craft and European import brands with autonomy and support for growth," according to Anheuser-Busch. "We can start having a lot more fun here," he said, adding that beers such as bock and a sour-style called gose (pronounced goes-uh) will be more commonly produced at the location.įour Peaks also has restaurants in Scottsdale and in Sky Harbor International Airport.Īnheuser-Busch InBev, best known as the brewer for Budweiser and based in Belgium, did not disclose terms of the deal.įour Peaks is the sixth craft brewer purchased by Anheuser-Busch InBev though a craft beer division called the High End. He said it's likely that most of the flagship beers like Kilt Lifter will be brewed at its second brewery and tasting room on Wilson Street in Tempe, leaving the original brewery for more "stunt" beers. While some customers are concerned the brewery might lower its standards or limit its offerings, Ingram said that won't be the case, either.
The company hopes to have distribution from Texas through Southern California, and if that goes well, move beyond that region, he said.
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