USA: AB InBev’s Golden Road Brewing to build new brewery in Northern Carolina

AB InBev’s Golden Road Brewing, one of formerly craft-beer brands that AB InBev gobbled up in the summer of 2015, is coming to North Oakland, NC, The East Bay Express reported on March 24.

Permits filed with the city of Oakland this month show that Golden Road is planning to open a 7,000-square-foot brewery and beer garden in North Oakland, which will take up three lots on 40th Street between Broadway and Manila Avenue.

According to this application with the Planning and Zoning Division, Golden Road intends to brew on site, serve food, and also feature an outdoor beer garden with fire pits. The entire structure will be constructed out of shipping containers.

There are several locally owned breweries within a mile of the proposed Golden Road site, including newly opened Temescal Brewing and Drakes Dealership.

The AB InBev incursion into Oakland isn't its first announced foray into Northern California. Last year, the corporation released plans to open a similar Golden Road beer garden in Sacramento's Midtown neighborhood. AB InBev also purchased Oakland-based Horizon Beverage Company, a distribution outfit, in 2015.

Last year, Tom McCormick, head of statewide advocacy group the California Craft Brewers Association, said the No. 1 threat to the thriving craft-beer industry is AB InBev's takeover of independent breweries:

"If you were to ask me the greatest threat to our industry now, that is far and away it," he said of macro beer. "And it is clear now what their strategy is: If you can't beat them, buy them."

Last year, AB InBev paid more than $100 billion to absorb its chief competitor, SABMiller.

24 March, 2017