California Craft Brewers Association Concerned About Global Brewery Merger

SACRAMENTO, CA–(Marketwired – October 13, 2015) – Tom McCormick, executive director of the California Craft Brewers Association (CCBA) issued the following statement today in response to Anheuser Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) pending agreement with SABMiller and the investigation initiated by the U.S. Department of Justice and the California Attorney General.

“The California Craft Brewers Association will carefully review any industry movement or change that might limit the growth, access to market or vibrancy of the craft brewing industry in California.

“The core purpose of the CCBA is to ensure our members have access to a fair and open marketplace. In addition to its global interest in SABMiller, AB InBev’s recent acquisitions in the manufacturing and distribution tiers in California have given rise to questions about the company’s long-term intentions.

“This has caused concern among our members. At the very least, it establishes the critical need to preserve self-distribution for small brewers and demonstrates the need to preserve and protect a fair and equal marketplace. The CCBA has been and will continue to be involved in this issue.”

About The California Craft Brewers Association:

The California Craft Brewers Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association protecting the political and legal rights of the California craft brewing industry. The association was formed in 1989 and is the oldest state craft brewers’ trade association in the country. To learn more about the craft beer industry in California, please follow California Craft Brewers Association on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook or online at www.californiacraftbeer.com.