i think this does really get to the core of the issue with "reviving" this brewery - no offense but why? the only reason i could imagine, is that it was a regional thing, but i kind of doubt that. if they revive it, i mean they'll probably have to completely change it conceptually or it wont work anyway. so.... ![Huh ???](http://www.homebrewersassociation.org/forum/Smileys/default/huh.gif)
Billionaires can do whatever they want. We have zero comprehension of how meaningless money is to a billionaire. Nobody might buy the beer and he doesn't need to care. At least the Christmas Ale will sell well, wherever it is distributed, hopefully broadly.
unrelated but this kind of purchase reminded me of buying pabst blue ribbon. which is now a virtual brewery ie. there is no pabst brewery in the world.
contract brewing is growing rapidly. more and more and MORE (i have to add emphasis here, its shocking tbh) import brands from everywhere in the world have had agreements made to be contract brewed in canada, and they are making far inferior products.
just had a contract brewed lion stout the other day. it was not terrible, but very different from the original product from sri lanka, which i have probably drunk 20 litres of in my life over decades. the original had a strong campfire smoke taste, way smoother and lighter carbonation (it was bottle carbed) and a smoother taste, presumably from more time in tanks or bottles.
this one is just a strong generic imp stout wth the lion stout label on it in a can, force carbed.
its interesting and relevant how the state of the beer industry continues to change in ways people never anticipated, and that more and more homebrewing is going to be important IMHO when your choices are taken away by the core element of business - profit.