Founder John Hall Steps Down as Goose Island CEO

Goose Island founder, John Hall, is stepping down as CEO. Hall founded the Chicago company in 1998, though he’s been brewing for nearly 25 years. After building his company from the ground up, starting as a single brewpub, Goose Island was sold to Anheuser-Busch in 2011 for the nice sum of $38.8 million.

Hall stayed on for 18 months after the sale to help things transition smoothly. His son, Greg Hall, says, “He’s 70, had two knee replacements…He’s just reached a point where he’s happy to let someone else have a turn.” Hall says he will just relax, travel and enjoy some time off. After working with Goose Island for the past year Anheuser –Busch veteran, Andy Goeler, will become the new president and CEO on Jan. 1^st.

Chicagoans scared that the change in ownership will hurt the brand need not worry. They are using the same brewers as they were before the purchase. Although they are now owned by a juggernaut, the company promises it will be the same as always. Same brewers, same brewpubs, and at the heart of it the same company that we have grown to love.

Source: Eater Chicago/Tribune