Koch says that the Department of Justice’s allowance of overseas brewing giants AB InBev and SABMiller to take ownership of established craft breweries in America may force small breweries out of business.
Koch said: “When it comes to protecting American companies and workers, at least in beer, our government does make bad deals.
“The Department of Justice is allowing the damage to continue by greenlighting these two big brewers to extend their duopoly into craft beer by acquiring craft brewers.”
AB-InBev Has Acquired Karbach Brewing Co. https://t.co/hg4LAJwKdJ pic.twitter.com/nZOn6ec7Hk
— Drink DC (@drinkdc) 27 December 2016
Around 90% of American beer production is owned by the two overseas companies. This has increased the price of beer and led to job cuts in the US, while keeping their profits offshore with reduced tax bills.
Koch added: “We are headed for a time when independent breweries can’t afford to compete, can’t afford the best ingredients, can’t get wholesalers to support them, and can’t get shelf space and draft lines.
“If we continue down this path, we may be witnessing the beginning of the end of the American craft beer revolution.
