In 2018, Anheuser-Busch InBev added a previously independent company to its beverage portfolio. It’s a familiar story, especially for craft beer industry observers. In this case, however, the company the beverage giant was buying was in a different spirits industry – specifically, it was beverage distributor and publisher Master of Malt. Now, at a time when AB InBev is divesting itself of some of its beer subsidiaries, it’s doing the same with Master of Malt.

What’s a little more surprising, however, is who the buyer is. As Olivia White of VinePair reports, Master of Malt will return to the hands of its founder, Justin Petszaft. The sale isn’t just limited to Master of Malt; instead, White says, it includes the entire Atom Group, which also includes Atom Brands and Maverick Drinks.

In comments to The Spirits Business, Petszaft spoke of AB InBev’s “unparalleled professionalism and decency in recognizing that Atom could only reach its full potential as an independent, founder-led company and in facilitating the transition back to independence.”

In the same interview, he also spoke about his goals for the new independent company. “We can now focus on building a beautiful ecosystem that encompasses every link in the premium spirits value chain and is also open to the rest of the industry as a platform and service provider,” Petszaft told The Spirits Business.

This is a moment in the industry where some big takeovers for previously independent companies have not ended well – the closure of Anchor Brewing last year is perhaps the most prominent example. So it’s refreshing to see a situation like this, where Master of Malt’s original owner is back in charge – and hopefully the company’s future looks brighter.