New definition of craft breweries in Texas
Are they holier than thou? Only hours after Revolver announced that it had been sold to MillerCoors, the Texas Craft Brewers Guild on 11 August 2016 released a new set of requirements defining what it takes to be a member brewery.
Now, breweries wanting to join the guild, which currently has 205 member breweries either in-planning or already operating, have to be independent and not owned or partially controlled “by an alcoholic beverage industry member”.
According to the Brewers Association, which represents craft brewers nationwide, to qualify as a craft brewer, the ownership stake of a Big Brewer must be less than 25 percent.
Being more radical than the BA’s, the Texan definition is seen as a direct response to the purchase of small breweries by Big Brewers and private equity firms.
The guild’s Executive Director, Charles Vallhonrat, was quoted as saying: “The primary reason is that we want to make it clear we’re focused on supporting the smaller independent breweries of Texas. We’re pleased with our members that find financial success and opportunities that suit them, but they don’t need assistance with regulatory and legislative work. It’s those smaller guys we’re trying to help.”
With this update in membership to the Texas Craft Brewers Guild, Revolver can no longer be a member. Neither can Independence Brewing Company, based in Austin, Texas, which sold a minority stake to Lagunitas earlier this summer. Lagunitas is 50 percent owned by Heineken.
But the guild also announced that it is creating an associate membership for Texas breweries like them that “wish to be involved with guild activities such as member meetings, educational activities, and promotional work, but do not meet the criteria … to be a voting member,” according to the guild.
One of the primary goals of the guild is to advance the interests of state breweries. In 2013, the Texas Craft Brewers Guild successfully lobbied for changes in Texas law, including the ability for production breweries to sell their beers on-site.
