Many Top 50 Craft Breweries Struggling to Grow, Brewers Association Data Suggests

Discussion in 'Beer News' started by Todd, Jun 5, 2019.

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  1. jzainasheff

    jzainasheff Aspirant (272) Apr 8, 2017 California
    Trader

    What is cool is I don't think I disagree with anything said in this thread. Funny how the Interwebs can surprise you. I will say that my guess is that FW is not selling much of anything other than 805. It is their high volume beer that they push hard. Other beers they make are pretty much done and dusted. (I could be wrong from where I sit.)
     
  2. RobHB

    RobHB Zealot (562) Aug 20, 2017 New Jersey

    Much of that growth is due to Hazy Little Thing, which I've seen reported in a few spots, but I'll stick with Brewbound (from January 2019):

    "(Sierra Nevada chief commercial officer Joe) Whitney credited the company’s return to growth to Hazy Little Thing, a year-round New England-style IPA that launched last year and is already the company’s No. 4 brand. According to IRI, Hazy Little Thing IPA finished the year with more than $24 million in dollar sales.

    Overall, Sierra Nevada produced about 106,000 barrels of Hazy Little Thing, Whitney said."
     
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  3. jakecattleco

    jakecattleco Grand Pooh-Bah (3,625) Sep 3, 2008 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Think they said on the tour that 805 is using almost 70% of their being capacity.
     
  4. gueuzegeek

    gueuzegeek Initiate (0) Aug 11, 2003 New Jersey

    Many of us in or near cities are starting to get very spoiled by having great beer so close to home, that means it IS tougher for the top craft brewers to get attention! I confess, I do like to support my locals, so I am partly responsible for this! If you make a GREAT beer, I will still drink it, but the competition for my attention is tougher when my locals make great beer! Tonewood is 2.5 miles away and they are becoming a regional powerhouse.
     
    algebeeric_topology likes this.
  5. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Yup.

    And lost sales have a cost as well.

    Cheers!
     
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  6. BrewmanCapote

    BrewmanCapote Initiate (0) Feb 3, 2013 Illinois

    Thank you.
     
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  7. rodndtube

    rodndtube Zealot (569) Feb 24, 2007 Maryland
    Society

    Several dark beers have disappeared off MD shelves, including Uinta's Baba and New Belgium's 1554. Seems like they are chasing the crowded IPA, DIPA, NEIPA, GOSE space and sexy packaging.
     
  8. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Weird, we get Firestone but I don’t think I’ve seen 805 in Boston.

    Tell this to Allagash.
     
  9. hopfenunmaltz

    hopfenunmaltz Pooh-Bah (2,611) Jun 8, 2005 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Society

    They have only recently started shipping to other Western States. The installed a 300 bbl brewhouse, and some large fermenters to up production of 805.
     
    AlcahueteJ likes this.
  10. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I am unfamiliar with FW 805 since I have never seen that brand in my area. I went to learn more about this beer on BA:

    “BA SCORE

    3.48/5

    Okay”

    And:

    “A light, refreshing blonde ale created for the laid back California lifestyle. Subtle malt sweetness is balanced by a touch of hops creating a versatile beer with a clean finish. 4.7% ABV and available wherever beer is sold if they don't have it, demand it.”

    Maybe this beer is akin to the best-selling beer of New Glarus: Spotted Cow?

    It is interesting in today’s craft beer scene where IPAs tend to get the most love that easy drinking beers like FW 805 seem to be ‘best sellers’.

    Cheers!
     
  11. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,862) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    It's definitely a beer built for easy appreciation, not to wow the beer nerds. In southern california it seems to be the go to beer for many many people. It is also sold in gas stations/corner stores in 24 oz cans right along with all the macro tall boys and the cheladas. It is also very well branded to appeal to the broader california aesthetic, unlike the ornate branding that most FW stuff has.
     
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  12. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I wonder why this one appeals to the masses but other similarly easy drinking beers haven't.

    Like Easy Jack, Pale 31, DBA, and Pivo Pils.
     
  13. BayAreaJoe

    BayAreaJoe Pooh-Bah (1,650) Nov 23, 2017 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    They've definitely got the lifestyle marketing angle to it down, I'm still sort of amazed when driving down to the Central Coast area just how many 805 bumper stickers and branded merchandise I see all over the place. I'm personally reaching for a lager like Alpenflo or Firestone Lager when it's time for easy drinking, but man tons of people out here love their blonde ales.
     
  14. unlikelyspiderperson

    unlikelyspiderperson Grand Pooh-Bah (3,862) Mar 12, 2013 California
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    To me it's because sweetness is the dominant flavor in 805. If I recall correctly it was originally labeled a honey blonde ale and I think that the same way really sweet neipas and fruity goses and such appeal to segments that don't like any other style of beer 805 is just a sweet and inoffensive beverage that makes you look cooler than drinking a pbr
     
  15. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Firestone Walker seems to be marketing 805 as 'separate' product. They have a separate website dedicated solely to 805:

    https://www.805beer.com/

    This is an intriguing marketing & sales strategy.

    Cheers!
     
    AlcahueteJ likes this.
  16. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Just 2 minutes ago I 'discovered' that - 805 has its own separate and dedicated website with lots of lifestyle 'imaging'. Surfing, etc.

    After 'witnessing' the 805 website I now have a better sense of appreciation for maybe why Sierra Nevada decided to create a new year-round product of Sierrveza. Sierra Nevada thinks they can get a part of this lifestyle beer action?

    As a non-Californian I gotta admit that this sort of stuff comes off as a bit weird to me. Maybe this sort of thing 'works' in California but will it 'translate' elsewhere? I am willing to bet this stuff will not work on the East Coast.

    Cheers!

    @SierraTerence
     
  17. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Ha yeah.

    When it's 40 degrees and raining, or 20 degrees and snowing, or I'm buried under two feet of snow, I can't see myself reaching for this blonde ale.

    I'd probably still grab their DBA or Pale 31 though if they were still around. :wink:
     
  18. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    Because you are not a Californian dude!?!

     
  19. AlcahueteJ

    AlcahueteJ Grand Pooh-Bah (3,088) Dec 4, 2004 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah Society

    I bet Sierra Nevada Jesus definitely digs 805.
     
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  20. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,181) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Society

    :astonished:

    I am pretty sure that the new COO of Sierra Nevada (Jeff White) would he aghast to hear that!?!

    Cheers!
     
    AlcahueteJ likes this.
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