Fake Craft Beers

Define “craft” beer.

 

"...disguised as craft beers"? Does that mean the beer in the can was not the same fluid as named on the can?

 

What am I missing about Founders Breakfast Stout? That’s not a craft beer??

 

What exactly did you discover about these beers that makes them no longer “craft” in your eyes? Also, two of these is not like the other.

 

Since their purchase by Mahou San Miguel some (including the BA i believe) no longer consider them craft beer

 

None of those beers are from what the BA considers a “craft brewery.”

 

That’s all well and good and I’m no founders fanboy but I’d say breakfast stout is an iconic craft beer. Maybe they’re now owned by a big conglomerate and maybe just maybe they’re racist d’s (I won’t admit to having all the facts there). Still that is an important and influential beer in the history of “craft.”

 

But unless I'm missing your point you are judging the beer as being non-craft just because of the brewery's name and because of a technicality that they have some macro brewery ownership. Did you want these breweries to say something on the label about their owner base so they're not 'hiding' it? I don't get it.

 

There are tons of beers that are crafty out there, wicked weed goose island etc. This is intentional. The idea is to pull $$$ away from the competition. It's the American way.

 

Not sure I'm all on board with Founders not being craft but as others have pointed out, it depends on how you define craft, a discussion on this forum as old as time seemingly.

I've stated in other similar threads, independent is a much more important distinction to make to me personally. The vast majority of the beer I buy and support is independent. The "craft" part only matters to me in my work interactions.

I will say about my only personal experience with what I would consider "fake craft" is Piston Pete. It's absolutely atrocious and technically flawed beer with craft slapped on the can, founded by a couple guys who seemingly have no previous experience in beer. All their expertise lies in marketing and advertising for large corporate brands, from clothing to technology. And they obfuscate or omit this on their website and packaging.

 

I find the term "craft" now obsolete. I was drinking Weihenstephaner Helles the other night..is that not a beer brewed with "craft"?
Even Goose Island..and (spit) Elysian are certainly brewed with some craft. I really dont know how to divide the beer world now..but craft and macro are so 90s.
I think people have to be educated. in choosing their beer. I go mostly for local and even though i know Goose Island or f*ckin Elysian do brew nice beers will always reject them for their corporate bullshit.
I research most of the foods and drinks i consume , its fairly easy nowadays.

 

I believe he is referring to the so-called "crafty beers".
A type of beer that tries to imitate the artisanal ones, but in fact it is an industrial beer.
I could give countless examples of brands of Italian factories that play this game, but I will limit myself to one example, perhaps, more understandable ...
This is a "crafty" beer:







That said, I really appreciate Founders Breakfast Stout (and variations), so if it's made by people who "sold out" to the industry, it makes no difference to me.
At the same time, I must say that I agree with the fact that here, in Italy, all those who have made "the leap of the barricade" (Birra del Borgo, Birrificio del Ducato, Birrificio Hibu ...) have nothing more to do with it. do with the craft beer environment (festivals, themed events).
Honor to our craftmen, if you want to make an entrepreneurial choice, no one has the right to speak. But obviously every decision has consequences and responsibilities.
On this point, I must say, our artisan community is united and compact.

 

Who is this guy?

 

New to serious beer drinking and craft, yet you've been on BA for seven years?

Except to those hung up on their parent company, Founders Breakfast Stout is craft. They had that beer long before they sold out, and I haven't heard that it has been changed from then.

 

When goose island got bought out the brewery insisted nothing would change with BCBS as well. Once someone else holds the reins it's impossible to make these promises. Hopefully fbs doesn't fall victim.

 

You claim that “independent” is a more important distinction for you… that you are unsure about being on board regarding Founders and that Piston Pete is fake craft. “Independence” and size ARE the criteria that the BA uses to define craft brewers. Founders doesn’t meet that criteria. Piston Pete does. I respectfully think that your feelings don’t seem to mesh.

 

Well, while some of your other statements are controversial, everyone must agree with this.

But it sounds like you do, if it matters if a brewery's beer meets the criteria of an industry trade organization's constantly-changing definition of "Craft Brewer".

What is Craft Beer? from 2007 (no longer on line):

 

Founders isn't a craft brewery? Boy it's hard to keep up!

 

One could easily make the argument that FBS is a first ballot Craft Beer Hall of Famer.

Perhaps your post was well intentioned but huge swing and a miss here.