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Big Beer dresses up in craft brewers' clothing
Posted on 11/16/12 at 8:39 am
Posted on 11/16/12 at 8:39 am
Interesting Article. Sheds some insight to those that don't understand why we craft beer enthusiasts and home brewers don't like BMC (Bud, Miller, Coors)
LINK
Gee, an AB rep thinks craft beer has "a little more flavor", and that's what makes it a craft beer. I'm not surprised.
I guarantee within 3 years, goose island will be a former shell of what it used to be.
Another bit of misinformation to feed the uninformed masses. Craft brewers did not come from AB, some may have, but majority have been home brewers.
LINK
quote:
What's noteworthy about these forays into the craft segment is the way these brands are purposely distanced from their Big Beer parents. You won't find the Coors name on a bottle of Blue Moon. Rather, you see the name Blue Moon Brewing Company. The same goes for a bottle of Anheuser-Busch's Shock Top. To distance their craft products from their billion-dollar household brands, the big brewers have gone so far as to create separate divisions to house their specialty brands: MillerCoors has created Tenth & Blake Beer Company while Anheuser Busch (BUD) has the Green Valley Brewery.
quote:
"We kind of look at allowing the consumer to define what he considers craft beer. As we look at our businesses, craft generally refers to beers that basically provide a little bit more flavor intensity and a little bit more distinctiveness in regards to experimentation and styles."
Gee, an AB rep thinks craft beer has "a little more flavor", and that's what makes it a craft beer. I'm not surprised.
quote:
Yet Anheuser-Busch sees it as a win-win for the brewery and the drinker. "We were very impressed over the years with the amazing reputation of the Goose Island brand," says Paul Chibe, Anheuser-Busch's vice president of marketing. "And that brand was built upon extraordinary beer with amazing innovation. And what we've been is an enabler. So as Goose Island has needed capacity, we've given them the capacity. The thing that people can be confident in is that the Goose Island brewers are still the ones leading the brewery."
I guarantee within 3 years, goose island will be a former shell of what it used to be.
quote:
Chibe argues that critics of Anheuser-Busch fail to see the big picture. "You go look at the craft brewers -- how many of them are former Anheuser-Busch people? I think there's a bit of pride on our part in that we are able to be the school for many craft brewers that started their careers here … and they're bringing that great tradition to the craft industry."
Another bit of misinformation to feed the uninformed masses. Craft brewers did not come from AB, some may have, but majority have been home brewers.
quote:
That distribution system is a complex one, with a tangle of varying state regulations, some of which date back to the repeal of prohibition. Most states operate on a three-tier system of brewer, distributor, and retailer. This system was created after prohibition to prevent an imbalance of power, specifically from allowing the bigger breweries of the time from manhandling small mom-and-pop bars.
quote:
Based on that goal, the system works. But the middle tier -- the wholesalers -- are not nearly as independent as intended and are often in the pocket of the big brewers. Getting access to the market is tightly controlled by the powerful players. As many people I spoke to put it, the big brewers will "ask" their wholesalers to focus more on their portfolio of products. This pressure takes many forms, but as an in-depth investigation by Crain's Chicago Business found in 2010, it is sometimes in the form of illegal pay-to-play practices. And even though some wholesalers may see opportunity to grow their business by pushing more craft brands, they also know better than to bite the hand that feeds them.
quote:
"Anheuser Busch can snap their fingers and the distribution network will get it on shelves and get it on tap handles and knock off other brewers who have been on those tap handles," says the Brewer's Association's Gatza. "In an ideal world, those decisions would be made by the beer drinker…
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Posted on 11/16/12 at 8:46 am to BugAC
quote:
And the powerful lobbying of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) works hard to keep things as they are. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, the NBWA Political Action Committee contributed $2,721,000 to political candidates for the 2012 elections, the second most by any PAC.
quote:
On tap at the local pub were the usual suspects: Bud, Miller, Coors, and maybe an import like Heineken. In 1979, there were 44 brewing companies in the U.S. Today, there are 2,126. For the most part, there was one kind of beer available: what is derided in craft circles as "fizzy yellow beer" -- also known as "adjunct" or "corn" lagers. Adjunct refers to the addition of cheap ingredients (corn, rice) to lighten a beer's taste or lower production costs. Adjunct lagers are the boxed-wine of the craft beer world.
quote:
Federal restrictions on home brewing were lifted in 1978, leading to increased amateur experimentation. Meanwhile, a handful of pioneering breweries demonstrated the viability of craft beer as a regional business. In 1984, Jim Koch founded The Boston Beer Company and started brewing Samuel Adams Boston Lager, the beer that arguably kicked off the craft beer renaissance of the 1990s. "You gotta remember, this was a totally different world," says Koch. "In 1984, if you were an American beer drinker, you could not get a great glass of beer. You could get mass-produced beers, which are fine for what they are, but they're not trying to be great."
quote:
A Harvard grad, Koch (no relation to Greg Koch, mentioned above) left a job at Boston Consulting Group to pursue his family trade. Koch's grandfather was a brewmaster at Anheuser-Busch. "My personal experience with them began in January of 1996. In 1996, they began a yearlong, full-scale attack campaign focused on doing as much damage as they could do to my business. And it began with kicking us out of virtually all of the Anheuser-Busch wholesalers. And then they started a PR campaign, which attacked Sam Adams."
quote:
The story illustrates what Jim Koch sees as a cultural difference between the craft industry and the big brewers. "Their view of business is not cooperative or collaborative. Craft brewers are very different." Citing an example, Jim Koch says that in light of a current shortage of certain types of hops needed for specific beer styles, his company decided to share some of its excess inventory. "We gave up some of these scarce hops so that 200 other craft brewers could make more of their beer, in a sense compete with us, and that mentality is completely foreign to big companies."
A good reason why i love craft beer.
quote:
Less diplomatic, but more succinct, Stone Brewing Company's Greg Koch puts it this way: "If you want to listen to Milli Vanilli., I suppose that's a choice you get to make. Just know that you're making that choice."
Posted on 11/16/12 at 8:50 am to BugAC
quote:
Craft brewers did not come from AB, some may have, but majority have been home brewers.
In St Louis there has been quite a few craft breweries pop up lately that were started by former AB people. I look at it differently than AB does though. They think it's a product of their training that allowed it to happen. I see it as, they've got the resources and talent to do better, but they actively choose not to, which is why those people left and started the craft breweries.
But I would think you are correct as far as numbers go. I doubt there were even enough AB employees to start the amount of craft breweries that there are all over the country.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 8:56 am to ProjectP2294
quote:
But I would think you are correct as far as numbers go. I doubt there were even enough AB employees to start the amount of craft breweries that there are all over the country.
Yeah. I also believe that the majority of craft breweries were started more by people from larger craft breweries than AB. But, obviously, as in St. Louis, it depends on location.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 9:10 am to BugAC
Read that one yesterday, and it's a great article. It goes hand in hand with the Beer Wars documentary from a few years back.
Unfortunately, most consumers just don't care. They think beer = Bud, Miller, or Coors. The marketing machine has won them over and nothing is going to convince them otherwise.
Unfortunately, most consumers just don't care. They think beer = Bud, Miller, or Coors. The marketing machine has won them over and nothing is going to convince them otherwise.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 9:50 am to BMoney
I was actually hoping for something new out of that article and was slightly disappointed when I finished it. Regardless I am torn on the issue.
One hand: F BMC
and their big business ways, cutting out the small guy from wholesalers and such.
Other hand: If the beer is good, who cares who makes it. Case in point Coors' Batch 19. Good solid beer.
One hand: F BMC
and their big business ways, cutting out the small guy from wholesalers and such. Other hand: If the beer is good, who cares who makes it. Case in point Coors' Batch 19. Good solid beer.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 9:55 am to Fratastic423
quote:
If the beer is good, who cares who makes it. Case in point Coors' Batch 19. Good solid beer.
Principle. That's the only reason i won't buy it.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:00 am to Fratastic423
quote:
Other hand: If the beer is good, who cares who makes it. Case in point Coors' Batch 19. Good solid beer.
Supporting these faux craft beers, knocks smaller breweries off the shelf and keeps the big business chugging. I refuse to support any bmc products.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:06 am to rutiger
quote:
I refuse to support any bmc products
You going to stop buying Terrapin or Goose Island?
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:09 am to rutiger
I love craft beer and am always in favor of supporting the little guy over the corporate giants. 80% of my beer purchases are toward craft breweries.
However there is a time and a place for BMC beers. I can't say I don't enjoy a bud light every now and then, normally when at a bar or party. No matter what you do, BMC will still be around. It's like living with that step-dad you don't like, don't have to like it....just tolerate it.
However there is a time and a place for BMC beers. I can't say I don't enjoy a bud light every now and then, normally when at a bar or party. No matter what you do, BMC will still be around. It's like living with that step-dad you don't like, don't have to like it....just tolerate it.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:13 am to Fratastic423
quote:
Posted by Fratastic423 quote: I refuse to support any bmc products You going to stop buying Terrapin or Goose Island?
Since neither gets distributed here, sure.
Plus its different imo. Those breweries started on their own and have some control over their product.
For the most part, the other stuff is a veil to fool consumers and screw the competition.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:13 am to Dav
quote:
It's like living with that step-dad you don't like, don't have to like it....just tolerate it.
Meh
I actually have 4 bud lights at my house. It's for my dad when my parents come over. He is a product of his generation of when the only beer, was anhauser busch, and getting him to drinks something different is challenging.
Other than Sam Smith organic lager, anyone got a suggestion for a craft brew light lager.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:14 am to Dav
quote:
However there is a time and a place for BMC beers. I can't say I don't enjoy a bud light every now and then, normally when at a bar or party. No matter what you do, BMC will still be around. It's like living with that step-dad you don't like, don't have to like it....just tolerate it.
I disagree. There is zero place in my life for bud light or any other bmc product. To each his own, i'd rather drink water than bud light.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:17 am to rutiger
quote:
Plus its different imo. Those breweries started on their own and have some control over their product.
For the most part, the other stuff is a veil to fool consumers and screw the competition.
Ehh, its still all about the money.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:22 am to rutiger
quote:
I disagree. There is zero place in my life for bud light or any other bmc product. To each his own, i'd rather drink water than bud light.
You literally just said that you are still going to drink Goose Island which is now 100% a BMC product. While its not Bud Light it still falls under the BMC portfolio, as does Bass, Hoegaarden, Pilsner Urquell, etc.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:28 am to Fratastic423
quote:
You literally just said that you are still going to drink Goose Island which is now 100% a BMC product. While its not Bud Light it still falls under the BMC portfolio, as does Bass, Hoegaarden, Pilsner Urquell, etc.
Semantics, you know what i mean.
Speaking of goose island, this just in:
Just in this morning from A-B, who also confirmed shortly after that John Hall is stepping down as president of Goose Island to take a new role as founder of the Anheuser-Busch Craft Advisory Board. Tony Bowker (Goose Island’s COO) and John Guerra (A-B) will be joining Hall on the board. Andy Goeler (A-B) will be taking over day-to-Day operations at Goose Island.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:30 am to BugAC
At first I was like
Then I clicked your link and went back to reading your blocks of quotes.
Then I clicked your link and went back to reading your blocks of quotes.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:34 am to Fratastic423
quote:
pilsner urqell
a crappier beer I have not tasted
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:42 am to BugAC
I think this is going to be great for Goose Island's business...
New CEO.
Probably doesn't have the slightest idea of what makes a beer but they'll probably have some "funny" commercials on the superbowl.
New CEO.
quote:
Since 1995, Mr. Goeler has held various positions in the Sales and Marketing Divisions at A-B, including responsibility for managing the marketing efforts behind A-B’s flagship brands, Budweiser and Bud Light.
Probably doesn't have the slightest idea of what makes a beer but they'll probably have some "funny" commercials on the superbowl.
Posted on 11/16/12 at 10:43 am to rutiger
quote:
Semantics, you know what i mean.
True but that is where it gets blurry to me, hence why I say if the beer is good the drink it.
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