Anheuser-Busch to Acquire Texas Craft Brewer

Anheuser-Busch announced the addition a ninth craft brewer to its The High End division with an agreement to acquire Texas' Karbach Brewing Co.

Karbach, launched five years ago in Houston by two long-time beer distributors, makes a flagship Hopadillo IPA along with Love Street kolsch, Weekend Warrior pale ale and Weisse Versa Wheat.

The company more than doubled its brewing production from 17,000 barrels to 40,000 between 2013 and 2014 and opened a new brewhouse that year. Last year, Karbach opened an on-site restaurant and tap room and expanded into the Dallas-Ft. Worth market.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Anheuser-Busch said that it plans to expand Karbach's brewing capacity to 150,000 barrels per year by 2019.  

"We are so grateful for the growth we've experienced in this first phase of Karbach, but we have maxed out our growth potential on our own, and a partnership with The High End will open doors to keep innovating and experimenting with our unique styles and continue to expand," said Karbach co-founder Chuck Robertson.

Karbach joins past High End acquisitions Goose Island, Blue Point, 10 Barrel, Elysian, Golden Road, Four Peaks, Breckenridge and Devils Backbone. The division also includes Belgian giant Stella Artois, AB's Shock Top brand, Virtue Cider and SpikedSeltzer.