re: Craft Beer drinkers - what would you do to change the industry?

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In theory. A lot of the small guys would still depend on someone for distribution.

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That should be entirely up to the small guy. Again, everyone wants to put in rules to "help" someone else. If the small guy needs a distribution contract, he'll sign one. If not, he shouldn't be forced to.

No evidence that the "big boys" are strong arming people in markets that allow self distribution - like where I am. In fact, if they did, and people found out about it, the brewer would probably be damaged in that market. It would not be a wise idea for the larger brewers to try and use underhanded practices to try and hold market share.

Craft beer is a very collaborative business. Most breweries are supportive of other breweries. They know that cultivating more craft beer drinkers helps all of them. They do collaboration beers all the time. Big boys like Stone, Rogue, and Deschutes help out the little guys all the time.

If some breweries start putting the squeeze on distributors, bars, and restaurants, then we can add some regulations later. But I think the best thing would be to lift them and see what happens.

BTW, it is my understanding that a lot of the problems with distribution occur with the distributors, themselves, not the big breweries. The distributors make more money from their biggest accounts and try to make sure to please them. Many of them act on their own accord to squeeze out their marginal accounts without any pressure from the brewers themselves.

ETA: Nobody is saying eliminate the distributors, they are just saying that it shouldn't be mandated by law that you have to have a distribution contract. If the mandate were eliminated, probably some of the smaller players might drop their contracts, but most would keep it as is. The biggest difference would probably be that some of the small brewers that don't distribute because they don't make enough beer would start sending their kegs to local taprooms and the like.

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Big boys like Stone, Rogue, and Deschutes help out the little guys all the time.

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I'm talking big boys like AB, millercoors, et al. They are not afraid to strongarm and would likely absorb their distribution network and nothing would really change for them.

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BTW, it is my understanding that a lot of the problems with distribution occur with the distributors, themselves, not the big breweries. The distributors make more money from their biggest accounts and try to make sure to please them. Many of them act on their own accord to squeeze out their marginal accounts without any pressure from the brewers themselves.

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Yeah beer distributors are kind of assholes in the market. They have far too much power.

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ETA: Nobody is saying eliminate the distributors, they are just saying that it shouldn't be mandated by law that you have to have a distribution contract. If the mandate were eliminated, probably some of the smaller players might drop their contracts, but most would keep it as is. The biggest difference would probably be that some of the small brewers that don't distribute because they don't make enough beer would start sending their kegs to local taprooms and the like.

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This is more in line with what I think would be the best way. The people who get hurt by regulations are the small guys. Cards are stacked against the in the beer world.

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what would you do to change the industry?

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mandate half pour options at all drinking establishments

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We just didn't go that way...

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so i've been told

You think back just 10 years ago and beers like Ruination, HopSlam, and KBS were just otherwordly creations. Nearly impossible to get your hands on and you were willing to pay pretty much whatever price your local B&M was gouging you for.

These days? The amount of amazing beer is absolutely ridiculous. There are probably 40-50 IPAs available around the country today that are as good, if not better, than HopSlam. And yet Bell's still want to hit me for $18-20 for a sixer? GTFOH.

If consolidation in the industry results in lower prices for consumers, I'm all for consolidation. It makes me sick how cheap Budweiser is compared to, say, Two Hearted Ale. I understand it's a bit more expensive to produce THA, but should it be enough to more than double the retail price of Bud?

In summary, I want to pay less for good beer given how ubiquitous and oversaturated the market has become.

I've been saying it for some time, that draft beer in Portland seems cheaper than most places, and I would attribute it to more beer, plus more taprooms. Now Portland has an extremely competitive taproom scene, so places have to charge less.

I'm working in Denver, and the average price is a dollar or two more per pint on tap. Denver has plenty of breweries, but doesn't seem to have as many taprooms as Portland does, so maybe prices are just lower in the taprooms.

Having said that, I don't think you'll ever see premium craft beer come down to Budweiser prices...

I would also blow up the thre tier system, but would consider keeping a prohibition on big breweries owning bars and retail shops.

In England, the big breweries or pub operators with ties to a brand have bought up about 40% of the pubs. You go in one. and it is all Samuel Smith beers. Another is all Fullers. Freehouse pubs that are independent and serve a wide variety we’re getting rare, but some recent changes in their laws aim to free things up and allow greater beer variety.

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certainly not double Bud prices.

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Keep in mind, that many craft beers have almost double the alcohol content of Bud, and are much more flavorful, so they are meant to be sipped.

I think you'll see costs on those Cascade sours come down over time...

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At those prices the fun of going to the brewery and sampling is gone. It’s basically just a bar with one brand.

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The fun of going to the brewery is to get beer only available at that brewery. I'm not there for the flagships. I'm there for the special stuff I can't get on the shelf.

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It can as big as free range distribution or as small as no more ____ (insert hated beer style)

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If you're going to makes Lagers/Pils, don't hop them to the point of becoming something they were not suppose to be.