Brewers Association Updates Craft Brewer Definition

That pretty much defines the beer mix in ANY pack, doesn't it?

I bought the Winter Pack this year because I had not bought any of these beers for many years. (Although I prefer the 4x3 pack format to the BBC 6x2 format).

 

It has been 6 million barrels for some time now. This was not changed this time.

 

Not completely. Let’s consider the contents of the Sam Adams Winter Pack:

Boston Lager

Sam '76

Winter Lager

Old Fezziwig

Holiday Porter

Chocolate Bock

The three beers I bolded above are available for sale outside of a variety pack.

Cheers!

 

This is correct. It was updated to 6 million barrels during the December 2010 update. Prior to that update it was capped at 2 million barrels.

@Loops

 

I apologize for not clearly stating my comment. It wasn't about there being beers in the box that are available outside the box (although that is common as well), but that most boxes have box-exclusive beers to entice the purchase of the box.

BTW, after consuming all of the WInter Pack, I didn't regret any of the beers in there. I didn't consider any of them to be something I had to suffer through in order to get the box exclusives.

 

Good to know.

Regardless, Boston Beer Co. will not be getting my business with this specific variety pack.

Cheers!

 

Same here. The official definition matters to many but means nothing to me.

 

The term "craft brewery" is meaningful for me but since I am not a member of a trade organization (i.e., Brewers Association) I will not kowtow to what they are 'selling' here.

@MNAle hit the nail on the head: what the BA is doing is creating a convoluted definition for defining a brewery that is not AB, MillerCoors, Constellation, Mahou San Miguel, etc.

I find it insincere of the BA to accept money from breweries like AB, MillerCoors, etc. (i.e., membership money) and not properly represent their interests as members of this trade organization.

Cheers!

 

Problem is that "the consumer is always right." The breweries of the big kids who belong to the BA do so voluntarily and as consumers of what BA has to offer them.

 

I set my stop watch to see how quickly you would respond - you were quick.

Needless to say we have a fundamental difference of view here. I am of the opinion that a trade organization should properly represent the interests of all of their due paying members. Since AB and MillerCoors have multiple breweries they are paying membership dues multiple times. The Brewers Association should be respectful of that in my opinion.

It goes without saying you have a differing viewpoint on this topic.

Cheers!

 

In other words you consider the big kids to be stupid and taken advantage of by the BA. Yes we do have different opinions.

 

No, that is not what I am opining.

Yes, as we have discussed before.

Tom, there is really no need for us to continue this conversation.

Cheers!

 

Sure. I'll be happy to stop it if you are willing to do so as well.

Cheers!

BTW that is exactly what is entailed by what you are opining whether you realize it or not. The big kids voluntarily spend the fees to be taken advantage of in your view and to receive what you consider to be inferior privleges/service. That would be stupidity on their part.

 

i like that part of Alice In Wonderland where "a word means exactly what I want it to mean, nothing more, nothing less."

in my Wonderland, Lagunitas, Founders, and Avery are "craft brewers" and somebody who makes 1.755 MILLION barrels of "FMB, cider, and hard seltzer"...

...isn't.

call me arbitrary, I'll wear it. How am I more arbitrary than the BA?

 

With pleasure!

 

I 'live' in that Wonderland as well.

Cheers!

 

Someone help me understand why this matters. Does being a "Craft Brewer" tend to increase sales or have other financial advantages? I'm not trying to be cynical or dense - I really don't get it. Why is it important to BBC to remain "Craft?" Founders didn't seem to care, after all. Is it just an ideological issue?

 

Some example potential benefits listed here:

https://www.brewersassociation.org/membership/membership-types/brewery/

 

Thank you. I can certainly see some benefits for breweries that are actually small after reading that. But what about BBC? Is it the lobbying?

 

The BA can make claims like craft breweries produce 10+ % of the beers consumed in America. Craft brewing is a vibrant and growing segment of the brewing industry.

Yes, Founders likely does not care a lot if they are classified as being a craft brewery by a trade organization.

Cheers!