These are frothy times for craft beer as more brewers reach out to big-beer industry peers as well as private equity investors to help foot the tab for expansion. While Budweiser and Bud Light are still the top U.S. sellers, craft is quickly gaining ground and is now the fastest-growing part of the beer market. Recent deals include Firestone Walker joining forces with Duvel, of Belgium, and Lagunitas selling a 50% stake to Heineken. Global No. 1 AB InBev has led the buying spree, starting with Chicago’s Goose Island in 2011. Buyout shops are also stepping in, taking stakes in SweetWater of Atlanta and Uinta of Salt Lake City. So far this year, there have been eight U.S. craft deals and one in the U.K., with more expected as the sector continues to wow.
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