Odell Brewing is not owned by Anheuser Busch. Odell Brewing Co is an independent craft brewery based in Fort Collins, Colorado. It was founded in 1989 by Doug, Wynne, and Corkie Odell, who started the brewery with a passion for brewing and a commitment to quality. Since its inception, Odell Brewing has remained independent and family-owned, with a strong emphasis on its local community and the craft beer industry.
In 2015, the Odell family made the decision to sell the majority of the company to its co-workers in a combined management buyout and an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP). This unique approach allowed the employees to become co-owners of the brewery, ensuring that the brewery would remain independent and continue to be operated by those who helped build it.
The decision to sell to its employees through an ESOP was driven by the Odell family's desire to maintain the brewery's culture, values, and commitment to quality while also rewarding the hard work and dedication of its employees. By selling to its co-workers, Odell Brewing ensured that the people who had helped shape the brewery's success would have a direct stake in its future.
The transition to employee ownership has been successful for Odell Brewing. The co-owners, or employee-owners, are actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the brewery and have a say in its direction and decision-making. This sense of ownership and pride is evident in the quality of the beer and the brewery's continued success in the craft beer market.
Being a co-owner of Odell Brewing means that each employee has a vested interest in the brewery's success. This often translates into a strong work ethic, a commitment to quality, and a passion for brewing. The employee-owners are not just employees, but individuals who take personal responsibility for the brewery's performance and reputation.
Odell Brewing is not owned by Anheuser Busch. It is an independent craft brewery that was founded by the Odell family and is now majority-owned by its co-workers through an ESOP. This unique ownership structure has allowed the brewery to maintain its independence, culture, and commitment to quality, while also rewarding its hard-working employees.