The Baptist is working wonders. Epic Brewing which started in Utah and later expanded to Denver has bought a home in California now, in Santa Barbara’s Telegraph Brewing.
The press release and details have been discussed and dissected since the news came out but now that the news has had time to settle, I want to add my perspective.
1. Epic had been shopping for 18 months and they end up in California. The price must have been right or the perceived market size was too large to pass up. Should we be more bullish on the future?
2. Why is hazy seen as the way forward? Especially for a brewery known much more for Belgian and sour offerings? Bad choice in my eyes, because supply will soon dim the cachet of these brewery only offerings.
3. On the purchase, Telegraph’s founder was quoted thusly, it is a “right fit both strategically and culturally.” Let’s hope so. It can be fun to collaborate on one beer but when you are calling HQ each week, it can be less so.
4. Getting some foeders and new equipment will end up being a great thing for Telegraph and should allow them to take another step with their wild beers. Even more important will be the new access to a larger market that Epic has grown.
This deal makes Telegraph a California brewery to watch in 2018.