Elysian Brewing Company has been part of the Seattle brewing scene for close to 20 years, and today it was announced that they would be sold to Anheuser-Busch. The acquisition includes all four of the company’s brewpubs and the production brewery.

Joe Bisacca, Elysian CEO and co-founder, said in a press release, “For two decades, we’ve welcomed guests into our brewpubs and served them creative and impeccably crafted beers. After a lot of hard work, we’ve grown from one Seattle brewpub to four pub locations and a production brewery. With the support of Anheuser-Busch, we will build on past successes and share our beers with more beer lovers moving forward.” Bisacca and partners, Dick Cantwell and David Buhler, will all stay on board with Elysian after the acquisition is complete.

Andy Goeler, CEO, Craft, Anheuser-Busch, had this to say of the purchase. “Elysian’s story includes everything we look for in a partner. The team has spent their careers brewing distinctive beers in the thriving West Coast beer community and building unique venues that celebrate beer. As the fastest growing brewer in Washington, their recipe is working. Elysian’s brands are an important addition to our high-end beer portfolio, and we look forward to working together.”

Craft beer fans are stunned by the announcement. Many have taken to social media, badmouthing Elysian for ‘selling out’. This acquisition comes just a few months after Oregon's 10 Barrel Brewing was sold to AB, which created a similar uproar at the time.

Photo via Elysian Brewing