Forget Craft. Let's Try Transparency

That perception might have been accurate 10 years ago when AB formed CBA, but not now with The High End.

I don't know anyone that can seriously back up a claim of a decrease in quality.

The overwhelming majority of the new breweries that have opened over the last 5 or so years, aren't interested in anything other than self-distribution. They're content to stay small and sell as much as they can out of their doors, as that keeps their profit margins high.

 

I am not saying they need to win over the big breweries. They need to win over beer consumers, which in turn should breed competition and innovation, which is a good thing for us. I don't care about affordable and not so much about availability. I want quality. and of course competition will breed better beer. the costs are their concern and in turn if they price themselves out of the market, that is their decision. it is basic economics as with any other industry. and can anyone honestly say that any small brewery that is bought out will still produce "better" beer? it may stay the same but certainly not get better.

I wholeheartedly agree with transparency. I want to know "who" is brewing my beer.

 

uh-huh - facts are never friendly to the conspiracy theorists

 

It is ABI's "craft" division. It currently has a stable of 10 breweries. All of which were independent breweries that were purchased.

 

Both sides have a long way to go to get to a spot where there is no need for sides

 

Generally, the only argument against consumer transparency comes from companies which are worried that their potentially unappealing business practices will harm sales - and that's exactly why transparency is so important.

It absolutely matters to me who's getting my hard-earned money. It's why I buy as much of my food as possible from local producers, why I order books from my neighborhood shop rather than Amazon, and why I would prefer to support small breweries rather than multi-national corporations.

Consumers have the right to know where their money is going. Aren't we supposed to make educated and informed buying choices, after all? I have no problem with ABI staying in the space they've traditionally occupied and doing well there, but if they start using their considerable heft to crowd out or monopolize a different segment of the industry, I want no part in financing that through my beer purchases.

And frankly, if ABI's main argument is that the beer is 'just as good' as independents...I mean, that's not much of an argument. I'll continue to buy equally good or superior beer that also gels with my values. Transparency is the key to that.

 

I have to agree with Kegtapper. I know some will say to me - well, it's easy for you, look at where you live. However, I must admit not every brewery here in Vermont is worth seeking out.

In agreeing with Kegtapper, and possibly taking it one step further - "it's the quality that drives the curiosity of the beer consumer." Money only talks once the hype train gets started and it gets in the "heads" of some brewers who may be getting "tired."

Also, I don't mind being a "rarity" either. I want to know where/who is behind the ops for brewing the beer I drink.

As far as the article is concerned, just a thought and mainly geared to those who are on untapped: but ask yourselves this question - when was the last time you saw a toast or a comment from a brewer who is owned by the big three? I rarely do. I see more local or smaller brewers chatting it up with untappers than any brewers that are owned by these bigger brewers. How's that for transparency. To me, I commend the brewers that I know once I check in a beer I know they'll toast or even start chatting with me. I like that. That's transparency. That's how you build a stable and positive beer community.

 

How long would the bigbeet company leave the zombie management in place if they put their ownership front and center on their website?

 

Stella Artois and AB's "Shock Top" brand are also part of their "High End" division.
http://www.anheuser-busch.com/beers.html
(page down about half way to "THE HIGH END")

 

Interesting, didn't know they were putting one of their imports in that division. Also noticed there's a bit of Cider and Spiked Seltzer in there too.

 

Amen brother!! Beer is like food. I prefer to eat at a restaurant that uses local farm fresh ingredients instead of a chain restaurant no matter how big or small they are. I'm not ashamed to say I have standards. I don't condemn or belittle anyone that doesn't, that's just my personal opinion. craft beer should be just that, "craft". made by hand by a small brewery not a huge conglomerate

 

Yeah, both acquired brands but with "brewing industry" connections. Virtue Cider was owned by GI owner's son and ex-brewer, Greg Hall, and Spiked Seltzer was a new brand created by an heir to the Heffenreffer brewing family, who failed to revive Haffenreffer Private Stock Malt Liquor after regaining the rights to the brand from Pabst.

 

Amen. Beer is like food! Yes, and at least in Vermont, there is a plethora of farm to fresh restaurants that I am fortunate to have access to. Yes, I'm not ashamed to say I have standards. And those who have standards can't be afraid to share them.

But yes, I agree, we can't be condemning or judgmental even if it is our personal opinion and that's why we see more people "inquisitive" of our standards and why we love the craft beer scene. When they question us-that is what makes us different because most of us can give an answer. By showing this real "transparency" that makes the craft beer scene tick, the real "comradery" and "fun-loving nature" comes out. Most people soak that up and want to be a part of the party, right?

What these bigger brewers don't get is that they think by buying their way into this that they are a part of it. But are they? Nope. And that's why I believe this article came about.
These brewers can say "forget craft beer," but they're still not being transparent.


Sidenote: I'm wondering if reps from Breckenridge, 10 Barrel, Elysian, Wicked Weed and the others are furiously toasting to people on untapped right now.

 

I look at it as a "GMO vs. NON GMO" type of issue. The folks who do not want to eat stuff made from GMO's and are pushing for labeling to that effect are getting push back from the food industry. Folks like me who like "craft" beer do not want beer from Inbev. The same labeling issue arises when Inbev fails to take ownership of a brew that they have purchased. I personally hate whats happening with large bloated corporations (AT&T,Inbev,BOA,etc.). INbev has access to capital that no smaller brewery can hope for. They are also very inefficient. Stock holders may sooner or later figure this out and force them to sell off the crown jewels (Widmer, Goose Island, etc.) to increase stockholder value. Until then, I will drink Great Lakes, Rhinegeist , Deschutes and other great regional craft beers.

 

I can't figure out why my neighbor's Lexus doesn't say Toyota on it?

 

Two separate things. Your example is a lower end with lower quality standards and higher end with nice "refinements". Beer is the same thing. I would rather drink Lexus Audi (which I own), Mercedes, etc; than drink. Toyota, Honda, Kia, ford, chevy, etc. it's the personal touches and "ownership" that I am looking for. Mass produced vs. handbuilt.

 

Of course we can. The U.S. Constitution gives us the right to speak even if our mind is blank.

 

e

There's millions of Toyota drivers (and thousands of Toyota employees) on this planet who would object with you calling their automobile "lower end with lower quality standards." .... congrats on the handbuilt luxury auto.

 

Of course, anyone can speak their minds.

You mean these guys?