Producer of Bud Light and Budweiser Anheuser-Busch announced today that they plan t
Producer of Bud Light and Budweiser Anheuser-Busch announced today that they plan to acquire Devils Backbone Brewing Co. in Nelson County.
The large and popular brewery is the latest to be added to Anheuser-Busch’s craft beer portfolio of craft breweries within The High End, the company’s business unit comprising craft and import brands.
“While we are joining a creative group of craft breweries in the division, Devils Backbone will retain a high level of autonomy and continue its own authentic DNA within The High End framework,” said Steve Crandall, co-founder and CEO of Devils Backbone Brewing Company in the release. “The existing management team plans to stay on board for many years, while continuing to innovate and bring locally crafted Virginia beer to the nation.”
Crandall announced on the brewery’s Facebook that Devils Backbone has been looking for a long-term solution to expand their business for the past year.
Devils Backbone opened its brewpub, Basecamp, in 2008 in Roseland, Virginia followed by their Outpost Brewery & Taproom in Lexington which serves as the primary production brewery.
The High End was created to support growth of craft and European import brands while maintaining their autonomy. Their unit includes Stella Artois, Shock Top, along with craft breweries Goose Island, Blue Point, 10 Barrel, Elysian, Golden Road, Virtue Cider, Four Peaks and Breckenridge Brewery.
Felipe Szpigel, President, of The High End said in the news release that they choose Devils Backbone for its creative offerings.
“From the beginning, they have shown creativity and talent with the great beers they brew, and they’ve been able to use the authentic offerings at Basecamp Brewpub & Meadows to cultivate a fun, outdoor lifestyle that resonates with everyone. Pair these qualities with dynamic leadership and a dream to do something bigger, and you have the recipe for an even more promising future.”
Anheuser-Busch’s partnership with Devils Backbone is expected to close in the second quarter, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
