Karbach Acquired

Houston craft brewer gobbled up by beer giant but vows to stay independent

Karbach Brewing has a new owner.

Photo courtesy of Easy Tiger/Facebook

The wave of acquisitions that has swept the craft beer industry reached Houston Thursday morning. International brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev announced it has purchased popular Houston brewery Karbach Brewing Co. for an undisclosed sum.

Karbach will join ABInBev's The High End portfolio of craft and import brands, which includes Goose Island, Elysian, 10 Barrel, and others. The company plans to grow Karbach from its current production levels of 50,000 barrels in 2015 to 150,000 barrels per year by 2019.

As one of the leading companies in Houston's craft beer scene, Karbach has seen explosive growth since it opened five years ago. Last year, the brewery completed a massive expansion that allowed it to expand to Dallas and Ft. Worth. The new facility also included a restaurant and beer garden.

"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 co-founder Chuck Robertson in a statement. "While we are joining a talented and innovative group of craft breweries in The High End, Karbach will retain a high level of independence, and the existing management and brewing teams will continue to drive culture and strategy, all while having fun building our brands."

While Robertson and co-founder Ken Goodman have expressed enthusiasm about the deal, the reaction from the local craft beer community has been mixed. Comments on Karbach's Facebook announcement are both pro and con. Writing for the Houston Beer Guide, the local blog that was first to report the story, Nathan Miller expresses the concerns of many people who fear what these acquisitions mean for the future of craft beer.

"While many drinkers view such acquisitions with a 'meh' attitude, the realities of the destruction caused by ABI’s purchases are real," Miller writes. "There should be no doubt that ABI’s desire to own all beer production globally represents an anti-competitive and dangerous goal. There are countless examples . . . of ABI using its influence to stagnate the growth of craft, including by buying distributors or leveraging their influence with distributors to hurt craft, by influencing legislation or, through their acquisitions and subsequent price-cutting or pay-for-play, by a 'Trojan horse' strategy of acquiring more shelf space and a greater number of tap lines."

Kevin Floyd, co-owner of craft beer bar The Hay Merchant, expressed similar sentiments on Facebook. "It's a sad day. I wish I could say I was surprised....but I'm not," he writes. Beginning today, Hay Merchant will run a special to divest itself of all Karbach currently on-site by selling it a rock bottom prices.

Could Saint Arnold be next? Don't count on it. Back in February, founder and head brewer Brock Wagner told CultureMap that he would only sell the company for a billion dollars.

craft-beer breweries

Stay trill, owls

Bun B serves up smash hit smash burgers at Houston's Rice University

Photo by Quit Nguyen

Bun B is bringing Trill Burgers to Rice University.

Faculty, students, and staff at Rice University will have a fresh new dining option when classes resume for the fall semester. Trill Burgers will open its fourth Houston-area location on campus beginning Monday, August 17.

Located at the Rice Memorial Center, the new Trill Burgers will serve the restaurant’s signature smash burgers, which are available in either beef or vegan versions. That starts with the OG Trill Burger, made with two smashed beef patties, pickles, caramelized onions, Trill Sauce, and American cheese on a Martin’s potato roll. A vegan version uses plant-based smashed patties, vegan sauce, and vegan cheese. Burgers will be sold individually or as a combo with fries and a drink. Students will be able to use their campus dining dollars (Tetra) to purchase their meals.

Bun B, a Houston hip-hop legend and co-founder of Trill Burgers, has long had ties to Rice University. In 2011, 2013, and 2015, he served as a distinguished lecturer, co-teaching Religion and Hip-Hop Culture with Anthony Pinn, the Agnes Cullen Arnold Distinguished Professor of the Humanities.

“This is truly full circle for me,” Bun B said in a statement. “To bring this brand to Rice University where I once taught is a major moment for Trill Burgers and for myself.”

In addition to Trill Burgers, Rice is also home to locations of breakfast favorite Dandelion Cafe and salad and sandwich concept Local Foods Market.

“We are excited to build upon this long-standing relationship while giving the Rice community an authentic taste of Houston,” Beth Leaver, Rice’s assistant vice president of housing, dining, and hospitality, added. “Trill Burgers brings a distinctive and celebrated part of Houston’s culinary culture to the Rice campus. I am often asked about adding a great burger option, and this partnership fills an important gap in our dining portfolio.”

While the restaurant is open to the general public, its proximity to the original Trill Burgers location (3607 S. Shepherd Dr.) means it will likely appeal primarily to people who are already on campus. Initially, the restaurant will be open from 11 am-5 pm.

Opening at Rice comes at a time of continued growth for Trill Burgers. In December, the restaurant opened in Missouri City. It is expected to open a new location at Westheimer and Hillcroft (7616 Westheimer Rd.) as soon as this month.

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