What the Ekos & Next Glass news means for Brewers

Big news in the brewing world

You might have seen the headlines that Next Glass, the company behind Ollie, Untappd and Hop Culture, has now acquired Ekos.

It’s a big move in brewery software and part of a growing trend across tech: platforms joining forces to share tools, teams and technology.

That sort of change always brings questions, especially for breweries that rely on software every single day. What does this mean for competition? For pricing? For the pace of innovation?

Let’s take a look.

Why companies consolidate

In any fast-moving tech industry, consolidation often happens when businesses want to scale faster or connect different parts of the supply chain. On paper, it can mean shared features, stronger integrations and more investment behind the product.

But there’s another side. When ownership shifts or product portfolios merge, things can feel less personal. The pace of updates might change. Pricing models sometimes shift too.

For brewers, those changes can have a real impact on daily life.

What it means for breweries

Breweries have more choice in software than ever before, which is a good thing. But that choice also depends on variety in the market - big players, small independents, and everything in between.

The real question for most brewers isn’t who owns what, but does my software still fit the way we work?

You might be wondering:

• Can I still get the same level of support and flexibility?
• Are updates focused on the things that make a difference to my team?
• Is pricing still fair and predictable for my size of brewery?

They’re all fair questions. And right now, it’s a good time for every brewery to review what software they’re using to make sure it still feels right.

The value of staying independent

At Breww, we believe independence keeps software honest. It means listening to brewers, not shareholders. It means the people who make the product also talk to the people who use it.

Our users shape what we build through feedback, feature requests and a community that genuinely cares about making brewery life easier.

Being independent lets us stay close to the industry and quick on our feet. When a brewer has an idea for a new feature or innovation, we can explore it. When regulations change, we can adapt fast. And when something isn’t working, we can fix it without layers of approval.

That’s what keeps things simple and transparent for the people who matter most: you.

A quick takeaway

The brewery software landscape is changing, but that’s not a bad thing.
It’s a reminder to check in with what you use, ask questions, and make sure your tools still work the way you do.

Whether you’re sticking with your current system or curious about what else is out there, knowledge is always a good brew.

If you’d like to see what an independent alternative looks like, you can try Breww free for 30 days. No pressure, no card details, just a chance to explore how we help breweries run better businesses.

👉 Start your free trial

About Us

Breww is brewery management software built for the beer industry. We help breweries connect every part of production, sales and compliance in one easy system. Built by brewers, shaped by the community.