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Has craft beer reached a point where there is too much out there?

Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:17 pm
Posted by Pierre
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
5289 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:17 pm
I've been drinking craft for three years now. No flame, but a serious question about the business model of small breweries.

With so many options how can one make a profit?

Even in Louisiana I find myself buying a multitude of different product and don't like to buy the same thing twice. Of course Louisiana is limited so you do end up being a repeat customer, but in other areas with many brands and varieties to choose from how do you keep loyal customers.

Again, serious question, no flame intended.

Thoughts?

Posted by Btrtigerfan
Disgruntled employee
Member since Dec 2007
21666 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:18 pm to
quote:

Thoughts?


First thought, wine.
Posted by Pierre
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
5289 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:20 pm to
Solid point. The more customers you can move to the craft product the more breweries it can support. Fair point. Educate the masses, yes?
Posted by Pierre
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
5289 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:24 pm to
The question hit me in whole foods in laffy today. They had coolers full of craft and 1 cooler of bmc. That's a good thing for me, but I had so many options, another good thing for me.... Maybe it is like the wine industry. Never thought of it that way. Thanks

Posted by 8thyearsenior
Centennial, CO
Member since Mar 2006
4280 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:25 pm to
No

You will eventually try most everything you care to or get sick of trying and then find yourself buying the same 6 packs or bombers over and over again. I buy a shite ton of Dales Pale and other Oskar Blues products. OB appeals to me because they make hoppy beers that I like but they sale a lifestyle. The lifestyle is bikes, beer and food. They make their own bikes and support weekly rides by bringing beer. They have several restaurants and even a farm.

Also there are a ton of guys starting breweries who shouldn't and they will be weeded out. Even here in Denver we have like 5 breweries opening a month, most are just bad and will close in a year. Just because you can brew a good 5-15 gallon batch doesn't mean you can brew good on a 7 barrel system. Or if you can it doesn't mean you are a good enough business man to make it.
Posted by Pierre
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
5289 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:33 pm to
I 'm kind of like that also, but at the same time there seems to be a wine element like the last poster brought up. shite ton of wine on the shelf and people buy it. That doesn't make me feel warm and fuzzy inside, though.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38814 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:38 pm to
All you have to do is look at Portland where craft beer has been booming for way longer than in La. They have a gazillion local breweries and new ones opening all the time. Craft Beer seems to be doing pretty well out there. I used to think like you especially as it pertained to lesser beer cities like Dallas where I am. But in the last 2 years craft beer has become unbelievably mainstream. The ditzy, hot, uptown barbie blondes even drink craft beer now.
Posted by 8thyearsenior
Centennial, CO
Member since Mar 2006
4280 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:42 pm to
quote:

But in the last 2 years craft beer has become unbelievably mainstream. The ditzy, hot, uptown barbie blondes even drink craft beer now.


yep, here you see old men walking out of liquor stores with 12 packs of Dales or New Belgium. I can't remember the last time I was behind someone at the checkout line and they were buying BMC with a valid id.
Posted by Jax-Tiger
Port Saint Lucie, FL
Member since Jan 2005
24819 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:45 pm to
quote:

They had coolers full of craft and 1 cooler of bmc.


It used to be the other way around.

Also, the thing you don't mention is home brewers. In addition to all the craft beer on the shelves, there is more great beer being produced by home brewers than ever before. Yet, it keeps growing.

Like 8YS said, when the market is over saturated, the bad brewers will fall by the wayside.
Posted by Pierre
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2005
5289 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 9:49 pm to
That's great, and it really has moved into the mainstream. I was amazed years ago when I visited Europe how many different styles they had and loved them all. Whole Foods had a whole bottom cooler and I didn't even touch them, because I have grown to enjoy more of the American Crafts. But I don't even know that those couldn't compare, I just don't have enough time to take in all that variety.

What are some good European beers? Or should I stick to American? I feel like the American Craft has taken a leap ahead. Am I wrong?
Posted by TheChosenOne
Member since Dec 2005
18542 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:01 pm to
I agree with pretty much everything else said in here. There will be some breweries that fail, but that will be due to crappy product or poor business plans.
Posted by lilsebastian
South of Nowhere North of Nothing
Member since Dec 2013
22 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:02 pm to
A leap ahead in innovative but not quality. Not by a long shot.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38814 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:03 pm to
quote:

What are some good European beers?


You should try the belgian trappist beers that are easily available....Chimay, Westmalle, Rochefort and Orval. And then Mikkeller brews some good stuff....and some bad stuff and its all pricey. His "Its Alive" is good and seems to be easy to find.....well....don't know if you can get it in La.

quote:

I feel like the American Craft has taken a leap ahead. Am I wrong?


This is pretty much true. The belgians would have something to say about this though. And many parts of Europe are catching on to the craft beer boom. I have had some really good Dutch, Danish and English craft beers while traveling over there.

ETA: And canada has Ommengang which brews great stuff.
This post was edited on 2/11/15 at 10:05 pm
Posted by 8thyearsenior
Centennial, CO
Member since Mar 2006
4280 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:24 pm to
quote:

And then Mikkeller brews some good stuff.


come on man, cut the bullshite. He brews a bunch of way overpriced garbage. You are lucky to get one good beer out of ten he brews. And once his ipas make it to US shelves they are old. I agree about your other recommendations and will add Duval, Tilquin, St Bernardus, Drie Fontein, and Cantillon to the list.
Posted by Zappas Stache
Utility Muffin Research Kitchen
Member since Apr 2009
38814 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:44 pm to
quote:

come on man, cut the bullshite. He brews a bunch of way overpriced garbage. You are lucky to get one good beer out of ten he brews


Don't misquote me. I made that qualification.

quote:

will add Cantillon to the list.



Don't send the guy on a snipe hunt.
Posted by TheCoveBR
Baton Rouge
Member since Apr 2014
352 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:54 pm to
No such thing as too much.
Posted by 8thyearsenior
Centennial, CO
Member since Mar 2006
4280 posts
Posted on 2/11/15 at 10:55 pm to
quote:

Don't send the guy on a snipe hunt.


well since we legalized it here Curious George's drug patrol has nothing better to do
Posted by Degas
2187645493 posts
Member since Jul 2010
11419 posts
Posted on 2/12/15 at 12:08 am to
It's never enough until I can purchase Bell's in Louisiana.

Posted by traveler9
BR
Member since Dec 2014
52 posts
Posted on 2/12/15 at 3:03 am to
who writes this stuff?
Posted by BottomlandBrew
Member since Aug 2010
27177 posts
Posted on 2/12/15 at 5:57 am to
quote:

Also there are a ton of guys starting breweries who shouldn't and they will be weeded out.


Every Tom and Dick homebrewer that opens up a 10 bbl brewery and only makes a mediocre blonde, pale, and porter should get weeded out here in the next few years. Only so many taps available at the local watering hole. On the plus side, maybe in a few years I can pick up a nice used 1 bbl system for my farm.
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