Anheuser-Busch begins Push Against Stone Bill

That's one for the good guys! I think a while back I heard that Greg Koch had a presentation that he would do for bars and retail stores that demonstrated that they could make more money with craft, even though they were selling less volume. It looks like somebody needs to clearly make that point in SC.

These old-school connected wholesalers essentially have one argument: "we want to keep our stranglehold on the market", but can't come out and say it so they usually just spout gibberish instead. Or, in the case of Catracho5's employer, really let the mask slip in the process.

 

Exactly, except this process here was public and well documented. Winners and not losers, but more power to smaller wholesalers and the buying PUBLIC.

 

I really hope you mean that it will contribute to your decision in who to vote for. If it is the sole reason who you vote for or choose not to, that is shocking to say the least. The most important consideration should not be a beer related topic. IMO.

 

The lobbyist in Columbia that wrote the letter, [email protected] cited the A-B employment but didn't mention how many people are employed at similar big craft operations - Linkedin shows SN above 500, anyone have any employment data on SA, Stone. Lagunitas etc?

 

No I don't point anything out, I need my job!

 

Yes, they do push the Kona, Widmer, and Redhook products, GI as well. But they do encourage us to be "ambassadors" for our core brands such as Bud Light and Budweiser.

 

Yeah, I figured as much- totally understand.

 

He's got a series of videos on the topic at Selling Craft Beer.

 

Of course you weren't given the same speech...AB owns GI...so yes, they got "pushed hard" because they money goes into the same wallet...InBev's wallet.

 

I'm all for holding legislators that vote against ones' interests accountable. But why not hold businesses that go against ones' interests accountable too? Do it by voting with your dollars.

 

Stone's website shows they made about 213k barrels last year and have 100 people on the brewing staff alone (already more than the bud brewery mentioned), around 200 in the bistro/foodservice side, and various other office/admin/support jobs. http://www.stonebrewing.com/staff/

 

Hopefully the Pols in SC look north & see what's going on there. This is a sad old story in the South, BMC-ers fighting choice at every turn. I think it may be time for me to reboot my AB boycott, that'll hurt'em those 6 AB products a year I drink

I probably will be less willing to give most of their affiliated products a go as well. Which sucks as I do really like most of the new Goose Island stuff I've tried...

 

I boycott all AB products as well, even the GI stuff. Last year had a chance to buy Bourbon County line passed it up. I know most would say I am stupid for doing so, but my pocket is my voice.

 

I admire your dedication. You must feel like you're some sort of sleeper agent with that job...

 

But craft beer is higher priced with bigger margins, isn't it? Wouldn't that offset decreased sales?

 

You must mean this presentation.

http://sellingcraftbeer.com/

 

Damn. Beat me to it.

 

In reading the attached article about the "Stone Bill", it says the bill aims to raise the on what brewpubs can produce. I am not current on SC law, but in almost every state, there is a big legal distinction between a brewpub and a brewery. A brewery quite simply, brews and sells beer. A brewpub is basically a restaurant that can brew beer. Now this may not sound that drastic, but a brewpub is in essence a brewer, a distributor (most states allow them to self distribute to a point) and a retailer. Therefore they are limited in how much they can produce, given these extra privileges breweries do not have.

OK, play this out. Stone gets the cap raised, now they get to brew a half million barrels and own restaurants and whatever else comes with a brewpub license. ABInbev aside, how is this fair to Palmetto or any other brewery already in business in SC? They open their business under one set of rules, and along comes another brewery changing to rules to benefit them, and not the brewers who have been carrying the craft flag in SC for years? Plus the door is now open for AB, or Heineken or any large brewery to come in and do the same. I don't see that as a positive for craft.