And members of the newly formed Craft Beer Colorado are citing AB-InBev’s voting power as a main reason in the decision to leave the Guild.

The Belgium-based Budweiser parent company acquired Breckenridge Brewery in December. Todd Usry of Breckenridge Brewery is listed as a 2015-16 board member for the Colorado Brewers Guild.

“We felt if we are going to be a craft brewers guild, then there really isn’t any place for international mega-brewers in our organization,” said Doug Odell, founder of Odell Brewing Co.

BEER INDUSTRY: In Colorado, fears about InBev's entry into craft market

Odell was charter member of the Colorado Brewers Guild when it formed in 1996. The current Guild, which has more than 200 members, didn’t respond to requests to be interviewed.

“Our industry has matured in a hurry,” Odell said. “I think we were all very ignorant and not terribly sophisticated back then (in 1996) both in our business practices and our approach to proaction.

“We all hope that once again in the future there can be a unified voice and single organization representing Colorado craft beer.” Doug’s wife Wynne resigned from her position on the Colorado Brewers Guild board. So did Brad Lincoln of Fort Collins’ Funkwerks brewery. “Large breweries (like AB-InBev) have a lot of advantages,” Lincoln said.

“They have purchasing power and there’s challenges with access to the market. “We want a voice for the independent brewers.”

Image Courtesy and full article can be found at source: http://www.coloradoan.com/story/life/food/beer/2016/06/16/budweisers-voting-power-cited-brewers-guild-split/85996502/