re: FBD: Omaha Bound, Bregman is a Stro

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Unfortunately, we will not have BB10 today. We love Saint Arnold and the excitement the Bishop Barrel series carries on a local level is a huge indicator of the strength and growth of craft beer in Houston. However, two weeks ago, with no notice, Silver Eagle distributors (saint Arnold's distributor) raised their keg deposits from $50 to $60. In 5 years we have seen their keg deposits go from $25 to $60 as well as multiple keg price increases. We also have learned that they intended to raise keg deposits from $60 to $70 in September. The reason for this increase? ABI (Budweiser) raised their keg deposits to silver eagle to $70 because kegs shells were going missing from large accounts (stadiums, kegs sold to individuals from retailers). So basically, punish small craft beer businesses for macro incompetence. We have joined with our friends the Flying Saucer, hay merchant, mongoose vs cobra, to boycott silver eagle. However, that means not purchasing Saint Arnold, Karbach, Sierra, Firestone, 8th wonder, and other brands we love.

Bottom line, if we don't take a stand, big business is going to destroy craft beer. We have seen it in the last 2 years with ABinbev buying Craft breweries so they can lower prices on portfolio beers like goose islands core brands making it harder for craft breweries to compete on a retail level. Also craft breweries resorting to macro tactics such as moving placed package at grocery stores, offering sales incentives to take other craft breweries taps at bars, and suing each other. This was an industry built on going against the grain, not following the macros but proudly saying "frick you, we're nothing like you".


As a retailer, we are the last stop before that delicious craft beer gets to you, the beer drinker, the reason we do this. Our costs have gone up on everything for the last 10 years. Rent, kegs, keg deposits, utilities, fuel charges, you name it, but we raised our prices only one time. We are taking this stand so that 5 years from now, you are not paying $12 for a pint of saint Arnold lawnmower. Let's hope Silver Eagle does the right thing and we want all the breweries affected to know we love them and hope this resolves quickly so we can get back to drinking beer. Cheers

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