Interesting.....I find it difficult to believe this will keep craft beer out of stores. The retailers know that the demand is there for ever more variety. If a distributor can't fill that demand, I would think another one would.
Seems they are targeting the high volume craft brewers, SN, Stone, Lagunitas, etc....
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They just don't get it.
Inbev believes it can constrict demand for craft by restricting its distribution. I don't think that's going to work, long term. Once someone takes a liking to craft, they don't revert back to macro, at least to the same degree. And, that conversion has happened in a large segment of the beer drinking demographic, and especially with millennials. Them asshats love the craft beer.
So, with pent up demand for craft having no macro outlet, new distributors will pop up, specializing only in craft. In Indiana - Starlight opened in 2011, and only sells (I believe) craft beers from smaller brewers, is one example. Its simple economics.
And, SN, Stone, Lagunitas will find a way around it, too.
Craft beer is not going anywhere.
I do find it odd, though, the Inbev and Miller / Coors don't do the obvious - brew craft beers. They have the skill set, and they are excellent brewers - they brew a consistent beer time after time. They just brew an adjunct lager that isn't as good (to me) as craft beers.