Craft brewers concerned over new A-B InBev distribution incentives

Craft brewers are concerned new distribution incentives from Anheuser-Busch InBev may push products from the shelves.

Under the program announced by A-B InBev last month, U.S. independent distributors could receive as much as $1.5 million in reimbursements if 98 percent of beers sold belong to the world’s largest brewer.

Oregon-based craft brewer Deschutes has already been dropped by St. Louis’ Grey Eagle Distributors. Meanwhile, A-B InBev is broadening its craft brand portfolio through acquisitions, including the October purchase of Toronto’s Mill Street Brewery.

The estimated average annual benefit per distributor under the program is $200,000, according to the St. Louis Business Journal.

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