In 2011 when AB Inbev bought Goose Island life forever changed for me. Before that time I would drink Bud or Coors, if that was all that was available. I compared it to stopping at McDonald's. Sometimes you just want something that’ll get the job done. I was very forgiving of macro breweries. They stayed on their side and they pretty much left craft beer alone, with the exception of Blue Moon and Shock top, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out who made them.

Then the media started poking the tiger. Article after article about InBev’s market share shrinking. Documentaries exposing their business practices at grocery stores. We got cocky, so they played a card that they always had and were just waiting to use. As Don Corleone famously said “I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse”, but instead of a horse’s head, it was just a lot of money.

Once Goose Island was purchased, as a craft beer drinker you had to pick sides. This went for them and all the other companies that defected shortly after. Either you were with them, or you were against them. It wasn’t as simple as that though. There were plenty of half assed ways that people were with them without actually saying they were with them. A lot of people made excuses for them. They said “the quality is still there, the same brewers are there and nothing has changed”. I say, who gives a fuck. These people are pulling what we call the Lando Calrissian. You sold us out to Vader and now you’re going to tell us you had no choice? You always have a choice. Vote with your dollar. Are you telling me you can’t avoid AB InBev products? Next you’re going to tell me that you can’t stop yourself from eating lead paint chips. Don’t be such a coward. Stand for something in your pathetic excuse for a life.