German craft beer

Douglas (@einhorn), thanks for posting that link. It was an interesting read!

I took note of:

“The company plans to start contract brewing in Germany within six months while it searches for a location to build its own scalable production facility and brewpub in the Bavarian region of the country.”

And:

“Capital for the brewery in Germany will likely come in two ways, Dietenhofer said. In addition to its own investment, he added, the company has discussed the possibility of bringing on new, international partners.”

It appears to me that Jaime Dietenhofer is taking an incremental approach to expanding to Germany with likely ‘off ramps’ if things don’t go well in the near term. This seems to be a prudent approach.

Needless to say but Greg Koch takes the approach of just jumping into the deep end of the pool.

Cheers!

 

Honestly, I have less concern about U.S. "craft" styles finding some degree of purchase in Germany (and Bavaria) than I do about U.S. businesspeople finding out what a extremely difficult retail market the German one is to crack (in any industry, really). If it can be done (and I have some very serous doubts), though, it would be in Berlin....

 

Yeah, that's a pretty huge bump to cross.

Based on the personnel involved, and their names, do you suppose they have some sort of connection that has a foothold?

 

I was in Berlin earlier this week and ran into Greg Koch in one of the city's small taprooms. It looked to me like he was doing some guerrilla marketing, which makes sense. He is essentially doing what he did in San Diego County in the late 90's all over again. Therefore, I have no doubt that his venture in Berlin will be successful. Stone's branding is compatible with Berlin, which by definition, means that it is incompatible with Bayern.

I am less optimistic about Figueroa's chances in "Das Land". They are picking a tougher geographic area to break into and are doing so without the brand power of Stone. But, in any case, it will be fun to watch. I doubt that they are the only two American breweries that will end up trying to play in Germany.

 

A post from a German beir photo thread - I see I need to acquire and try the IPA von Maisel & Friends

 

I haven't yet seen the Maisel & Friends beers in the smaller 0.33l-bottles. Hopefully I will soon.
But there are a couple of Getränkemärkte that carry the big 0.75l-bottles of Maisel & Friends for around €5/bottle.

 

and usually in a 3 pack as well.

 

This just out... ohh my!

 

The 5 star grade for "Awesomeness" is a good sign.

 

and this just hit FB from the brewer:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=530154497086968

"BrauKunstKeller proudly presents:
1st SINGLE BARREL AGED IMPERIAL STOUT -Whisky-Rum-Tequila-Bordeaux- 9-12% vol, brewed 2013, full chocolate taste, limited Edition. Facebook fans first- reservation now"

 

What am I missing...

EDIT: ok, four different stouts and not one stout, now I get it....

 

a really bad hangover?

 

14,99€/33cl bottle??? or am I missing something. I hope I am wrong and it is at least a 750ml or 14,99€ for 1 of each bottle.

 

Can someone please tell me it is not 14,99€/33cl before I dive into a diatribe on how German craft brewers are taking on some of the worst qualities of the US beer scene. Granted if tons of people are dumb enough to spend that... go money!!!

Even De Molen, which I often consider tpp expensive, is usually around 4-6€ for their 33cl barrel aged stouts.

 

Where are you seeing prices? I must be off my game today.

 

I looked at their FB page, in the comments:

"BrauKunstKeller Lieferadresse& email per PN. 14,99€ zzgl. Versand. Versandbereit Ende November"

 

There is no need for any feeding of the "snob" discussion; the discussion is over. "Craft beer" in Germany IS essentially snobbery. There is no denying it.