It all comes down to the almighty dollar

What's the point here?

 

The only caveat to that is Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada and New Belgium. I think they have the ability through growth to keep their prices low enough to be attractive to budget consious BMC drinkers. Couple that with approachable beers and they really are the ambassador trifecta of the craft industry.

What's the price difference in say a six pack of Fat Tire and a six pack of BMC "craft"?

 

I agree with your premise, BUT...the macro brewers can only put out so many different "craft" beers, so I would think that the stolen converts would eventually tire of the choices they have and come on over to the comfy side of the bed anyways.

 

There's the rub. What will the general consumer (i.e. the one holding the majority of said dollars) tire of first? A smaller number of high-quality offerings at a lower price, or attempting to find the rare world-class beer among an ever growing variety of offerings at a much higher price?

 

LOL @ "The all ighty ollar"

 

So, you're saying that the only people that buy "expensive" beers are those who drink non-BMC craft beer, and those who drink less expensive BMC beers would only buy less expensive BMC craft beers, thus hurting craft breweries?

 

Interesting theory, but it ignores the supply side of the equation. If big brewers start buying up different barleys and hops than what they buy now, growers will have an incentive to expand their output.

 

People like getting drunk. You'd be surprised how many times I've heard "I love (insert high abv DIPA), I only have to drink 4 and I'm wasted!!!"

I'm pretty sure that's how a lot of people converted into actually enjoying the taste of craft beer.

 

Really good question, especially because they're actively trying this (Shock Top, Blue Moon, etc) and not succeeding in stopping the growth of craft at all.

 

I'm not sure we know this for sure. For every case of Blue Moon or Shock Top sold, if that beer wasn't available would the consumer have gone for the BMC or "true craft" instead? Yes craft beer is growing every year, but maybe it would be growing even faster if not for BMC's inroads.

 

That would be important if I said "and not slowing the growth of craft", but I didn't. I tend to think that those work more as a gateway than anything, but you're right, we can't know.

To some extent it doesn't really matter. My problem with ABI is that their beer sucks. If they're making good beer then what's the issue? It's not like they can destroy all the brewpubs etc.

 

But that ignores the issue of how the macros would likely buy in huge bulk, pressuring the growers to sell at lower and lower prices. (That is what is happening currently in Germany at least, and it's leading many barley growers to plant corn -- to sell to ethanol producers -- instead.)

 

Is this going to be on the test?

 

What about the notion that, say, a big, bold craft beer works as a "gateway" in that a BMC drinker may try it, be turned off...but then sufficiently curious to accept a more "moderate" craft beer?

 

, yeah, just wondering if you're thinkin' too much about it, dude.

 

But Blue moon outsells allot of them, and is still growing. Not to mention I don't care if its "craft" or what name you it or who makes it we drink it allot.

 

If macros start brewing craft, and it is as good as the micros (that seems to be your premise)... I see no downside to this. I'll buy the best beer I can at the best price! More competition is always good for the consumer.

 

First, "allot" is a verb, you're looking for "a lot". Second, what does that have to do with what I said?

 

I'm seeing this as a need to start your own thread about a topic that's already active in 2 different places on the front page. Did you not like those conversations anymore? Anyway, comments applicable there are also applicable here.

Quoting cavedave from here: If ABInBev markets an all malt great IPA what the hell is the problem with calling it a craft beer? Do large fermenters somehow disqualify as craft beer pure ingredients put into them by brewers capable of brewing a great IPA? Is Hop Stoopid a craft beer? I think it is. And I know that Lagunitas uses hop extract. I plan on buying BCS if I can. Is that beer also no longer craft?
Don't get this message wrong, I know you are trying to say that it is the smaller brewer versus the Goliath. My point is that if Goliath starts brewing kick ass beer and sells it for cheaper, guess what, we the consumer win the battle.

and then Longstaff from here: Eh, I don't think craft beer has anything to worry about here with this niche of a niche product. When they start making flavorful Lagers, IPA's, pale ales, porters, etc. have better control over freshness than craft brewers, and can offer a better value, then craft brewers need to start shaking in their boots.

I realize these don't apply word for word to your parallel thought train, but close enough that this one could have been a part of one of those threads. No?