I don’t quite know what to make of all this:
London Pride maker Fuller, Smith & Turner, better known as Fuller’s, is to sell its entire beer business to the European division of Japanese brewer Asahi.
In a deal which values the division at £250million, the London-based brewer will sell the production and distribution of its well-known beers, including its flagship drink London Pride, as well as its ale, stout, porter, craft lager and cider brands.
Considering that London Pride is my second-favorite beer (after Wadworth 6X), I can only hope that Asahi won’t look at Pride’s miniscule U.S. distribution and decide that it’s not worth it.
On the other hand, they might also think that Fuller are a bunch of morons for not getting Pride greater exposure in the U.S., with the result that I could soon buy it at Kroger.
So it’s “wait and see”, not something I typically enjoy doing.
Gah. I hate change.
Kirin bought Four Roses (Bourbon Distiller) and if there’s any change domestically, it’s not noticeable. The tour guide did say that some of the product is distributed exclusively in Japan, but that might have been the case before.
Check out Oasis Brewery’s (Austin) London Homesick, if you run across it.
One of the few thing we do better up here in Canada is get access to British beer. Below is a list of Fuller’s stuff I can walk 2 blocks to buy.
1845 Celebration Ale
Bengal Lancer IPA
Bengal Lancer IPA (Keg)
Black Cab Stout
Extra Special Bitter
Extra Special Bitter (Keg)
Imperial Stout
Imperial Stout (Keg)
India Pale Ale
London Porter
London Porter (Keg)
London Pride
London Pride (Keg)
Winter Ale 30l Keg
Fullers Black IPA
Fullers Blackberry Gose
Fullers Brit Hop
Fullers Damson Porter
Fullers Imperial IPA
Fullers Organic Honey Dew Beer
Fullers Session IPA
Fullers Vintage Ale
Fullers Vintage Ale 30l Keg
Even though it’s Fuller’s, I’m not going to try the heretical Honey Dew beer.