After the recent news that America’s oldest craft brewery will soon reopen after shutting its doors last year, we’re now hearing rumors about another major shakeup on the craft beer scene.
Reports indicate that Boston Beer Company, the maker of Sam Adams and the second-largest craft brewer in the U.S. after Yuengling, is up for sale. And rumors suggest that the most likely buyer is a massive global whiskey conglomerate.
Is Suntory Getting Into the Beer Biz?
Even if you haven’t heard of Suntory Global Spirits (formerly Beam Suntory), you’ve almost definitely had their whisky (or whiskey).
The company is one of the largest spirits producers in the world, with a brand portfolio that includes such bourbons as Jim Beam, Maker’s Mark and Knob Creek; Japanese whiskies from Suntory like Yamazaki and Hibiki; Scotch labels such as Bowmore and Laphroaig; plus many other spirits like Cruzan rum and Hornitos tequila.
But despite being a major player in the liquor market, Suntory’s beer holdings are basically zero, with its only own house beers falling under its corporate umbrella. Acquiring Boston Beer Company would change that in a big way, as not only would the brand acquire Sam Adams, but also its subsidiaries Dogfish Head — a craft brewing legend in its own right — and smaller craft breweries Angel City Brewery out of L.A. and Coney Island Brewing Co. from New York.
