AB InBev to open craft beer bar in London

12-Dec-2016 - Last updated on 13-Dec-2016 at 09:31 GMT

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Brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is to open its first food-led bar in London based on the US beer brand Goose Island.

The Vintage Ale House will launch in Balham on 16 December and is billed as being the UK’s first pub dedicated to American craft beer.

John Hall, who founded Goose Island in Chicago in 1988, said the Balham site would be the brand’s ‘spiritual home’ outside the United States.

“We have spent the best part of 30 years honing our craft and how is the time to bring that craft to the UK – we are truly excited to share what we have created," he said.

Craft beer boom

Goose Island’s beers, some of which are aged in bourbon and wine barrels, are designed to pair with foods such as Porter and Molasses-glazed Beef Cheek; and Roasted Cod and Seafood Fregula – which will be on the menu in the UK.

AB InBev is the largest brewer in the world and owns brands including Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois.

The group acquired Goose Island for $38.8m in 2011, kicking off a series of deals which saw major beer producers scooping up their smaller craft beer rivals.

Growing consumer interest in craft beer has been credited as helping slow the rate of pub closures in the UK, with the number of insolvencies falling seven per cent in the past year.

A study by BigHospitality's sister site MCA found diners were increasingly keen to see more craft beers stocked in restaurants.