Well I'll throw my 2 cents in. I agree in part with those that say let the beer speak for itself. And eventually it will. If AB InBev approaches buying craft beer as a way to increase their overall profits rather than as a craft beer model, then the beer will suffer. AB InBev is in business to make the most profit they can, period. That's what a modern cooperation does. They must profit in order to provide their shareholders a return on their investment. To that end, a company like AB InBev cannot truly understand the craft beer model because craft beer requires risk, experimentation, and in turn more costly ingredients to produce its product. It does not involve things like adjuncts to make the end product cheaper to produce.
Now I could be proved wrong? Sure. Even a very large craft beer company, Sam Adams for example, goes to great extent to acquire ingredients from around the world to add to their products. So, it can be done. But again, that's not the AB InBev business model. Imagine for a moment trying to produce Utopia on a scale that would justify the cost, maintain the profit margin AB InBev is used to and still maintain the origins and quality of the original product. For the board of directors, not likely There's just not enough consumers interested in the end product to justify the expenditures. For the homebrew and craft beer aficionados it's worth every penny.
So where does that lead us in the discussion? Goose Island's owner reached his financial limit and felt as a business venture, the buy out was a way he could further his beer's reach. Maybe so. And in doing so, he could also justify taking the profit for his life long work in craft brewing. I have to solute him for his business savvy. If, as a craft beer, Goose Island dies a horrible death from lack of craft inherent within the AB InBev business model, then those that knew and loved the beer for what it was, were very lucky to have enjoyed it. Businesses come and go. Can we clone it? Ya, someone can get close or even may have gotten hold of the recipe. And in the home brew scene it will live on in that sense. Will some other up and coming brewer start another craft beer brewery which will take it's place? Well, look around my friends. Craft breweries are springing up everywhere. As far as I can tell, we are in the middle of the revival of the local brewery scene. Every neighborhood that will allow one, will have one. Micro brews. Nano brews. You name it. Out of that fray will come exciting/experimental beers that will spark the imagination and tastes of consumers. If there is a demand for a particular beer that will justify someone producing it, they will. And if the financing is available to produce more than what the neighborhood uses, you will be able to buy it, taste it and no doubt enjoy it! Although they will try, AB InBev can't buy them all.
BN Army // 13th Mountain Division 
