MillerCoors Takes Majority Stake in Terrapin
A reporter recently asked me: Is the MillerCoors-Terrapin deal a sign that Georgia is getting a bigger name in the craft brewing world nationally.
My thought is no.
Georgia is absolutely getting a bigger name in the craft brewing world nationally (and even internationally); however, I don’t think the MillerCoors/Terrapin deal has much to do with that or is a reflection of the growth of Georgia craft beer.
Rather, GA breweries are winning medals all over the country for their beers – that’s what is putting them on the map in the craft brewing world, not to mention the press surrounding Georgia brewers’ efforts toward passing fairer laws…laws that 48 other states currently have on the books in some form or fashion.
That said, MillerCoors’ purchase of a majority ownership interest in Terrapin most certainly brings a great deal of attention to the craft beer industry in GA.
But I think MillerCoors’ desire to purchase Terrapin stems more from consideration regarding annual barrel production, a 12-state distribution network, and a lot of goodwill behind the Terrapin name that has been built up over the past 14 years by the Terrapin founders and team.
Georgia Craft Beer Lawyer 