Seattle Brewery Sold: Elysian Brewing Is Now Owned By Anheuser-Busch

The Seattle-based Elysian Brewing company was founded in 1995 by Dick Cantwell, Joe Bisacca, and David Buhler. Over the next twenty years, the brewing company expanded to include four bars and a central brewing building. It was announced Friday that Anheuser-Busch will add Elysian to it’s growing collection of craft brewing companies.

Not to worry, though. Cantwell, Biascca, and Buhler will be staying on with Elysian in Seattle. Biascca is the CEO of Elysian and hopes that having the backing of a large company will help the small brewery expand its customer base.

“For two decades, we’ve welcomed guests into our brewpubs and served them creative and impeccably crafted beers…With the support of Anheuser-Busch, we will build on past successes and share our beers with more beer lovers.”

The Seattle Times reports that Eylsian sold more then 50,000 barrels of beer in 2014. It became the second-largest microbrewery in Washington. Seattle Times notes that the deal will be closing in the near future.

“Anheuser-Busch’s purchase of Elysian is expected to close in the next three months. Terms were not disclosed, but the owners say the Elysian brand will stay the same.”

Cantwell, co-owner and head brewer, assures customers that Elysian will still remain the same.

“Our aim is to keep everything the way it is with all the ridiculous and varied beers.”

According to Seattle PI, Anheuser-Busch looks forward to the partnership.

“Elysian’s story includes everything we look for in a partner. The team has spent their careers brewing distinctive beers in the thriving West Coast beer community and building unique venues that celebrate beer. As the fastest growing brewer in Washington, their recipe is working. Elysian’s brands are an important addition to our high-end beer portfolio, and we look forward to working together.”

Those brands include the popular Immortal IPA and Loser Pale Ale. Loser brazenly showcases a label that shouts “Corporate beer Still Sucks,” a reference to a shirt Kurt Cobain once worse stating “Corporate Music Still Sucks.”

Do you think Anheuser-Busch will allow Loser Pale Ale to still be made?

The Seattle Times answers that question.

“The founders say the new owners will not change the popular Seattle company. The Loser Pale Ale with the slogan, ‘corporate beer still sucks,’ will still be produced; the annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival is still on the schedule for the first weekend of October; and the beer will still be made by the same Seattle brewers who live in Seattle.”

Is this a good move for Elysian?

[Images via commons.wikipedia.org]