AB InBev's ZX Ventures Buys Minority Stake In RateBeer

I'm aware of RateBeer but not ZV. Does this potentially harm the sense of being unbiased? Or is this a clean and neutral partnership?

 

Would like to know how much $$ and what percentage

 

Almost 9 months. Not exactly open about it.

 

Seriously? Glad I'm not using that app. "Friendly?" Dragon behemoth gobbling up everything that's largely just important to us. Golly.

 

Hmm, changes to the moderators forthcoming?

 

Are press releases required? They come off so fake. Just say you saw the check and took it.

What's the value in a site like that? I think the head guy was surprised there was interest and took the first bite. I dont blame him. I wouldve sold the whole damn thing.

Integrity this, Integrity that. Life will be the same. You think the company buying a minority interest won't have a say, but you know they will. We know things change.

What did they need extra resources for? I guess I just dont get what AB INBEV saw out of this. Was RB expanding like crazy. I guess I just dont get some of these tech buys. WHat problems did they have? Were they just trying to monetize perceived valuation?

 

They're everywhere...

 

why would they spend money for zero return....? They want something. They're a publicly traded company and investors want ROI....

 

Was BA approached by AB InBev?

 

I mean yes, thats how you diversify and get your hands on money in all avenues. But it just seems just so much more apparent when its your evil "competitor". When will they eventually buy the maltsters and the American grown hop farms, and the yeast facilities? Soon they'll be buying water rights to some of the biggest craft beer areas in America (NC, VA, CO).

If you can't beat them, then buy them. They are submerging themselves in this culture a little bit at a time.. I dont trust the little bitty minority portion, as we read it, as 5-10 years down the line RB will be wholly owned by AB.

These small "start up" branches are all fronts. AB is worth billions. Think about it that way.

Independently run is a crock of crap when all profits funnel to the big wigs. Or in this case, a minority of the profits.

 

This feels gross to me. The press release is slimy too. I don't like being reflexive about stuff like this, but I've always disliked RateBeer anyway since I made the choice to join and specifically follow BA since the eve of my 21st birthday in a continued and concerted effort to deepen my understanding of quality beer and the economy behind what the beer community calls "craft beer." The tendrils of AB InBev are all over the place, and they intend to pretend to advocate for choice while stymieing truly informed consumer decision-making.

I will continue to be a Beer Advocate, unless they make the same kind of power-over-passion decision at some point. I hope they never do. Cheers.

 

Now AB/InBev owns any and all information relating to Ratebeer.

 

It gives AB access to vast amounts of up to the minute data on trends in craft beer and I assume was a relative pittance to get that access as RB was pretty much a one man show. It's funny how he kept it quiet for so long

Mind you, that info is about tickers and their habits, so might not be useful with regards to the general craft buying public

 

I can't imagine a more unsuitable marriage.

 

There goes their credibility...!

 

ABInBev already owns one of the largest hop farms in the USA, in Idaho. They also malt barley, but I'm not sure if they grow barley.

Water rights are not a big thing in the East. Sierra Nevada had a well drilled on their property in NC.

One would think that there will be adds from all of the ABInBev captive brands appearing on RB in the near future.

 

I get a regular (weekly?) e-mail from Rate Beer that mentions all the new and upcoming beer releases around the country. You can bet that the focus of this e-mail will shift towards the ABInBev captive brands while potentially snuffing out the information on true craft breweries. I will be Unsubscribing from the RateBeer e-mail now.

 

*Breaking*
Bud Light Peach-a-Rita now rated 100 on Rate Beer.

 

I started on ratebeer.com in 2002. I did not discover BA until nearly 4 years after that. All of my beer ratings were on that site. I am said to announce that I have signed off for the last time.

 

Its happening.

 

One would think that this isn't about compromising data, but rather, having access to data and leveraging it. I'm guessing that that's where the real value is. People can debate to what degree companies like Anheuser-Busch previously shaped public opinion vs reacted to it. If there's truth to what I'm saying, then unless there's a long-lasting and considerable PR backlash, it's probably a smart move on AB InBev's part. Their ability to effectively leverage that data is another story though.

 

I try to avoid the whole "sellout" label since like everyone else who goes to work everyday I love money and when people try to give me more of it 99% of the time I take it. Yet going by their website they state

"RateBeer is a world site for craft beer enthusiasts and is dedicated to serving the entire craft beer community"

AB is not craft, they have done everything they can to fight the rise of craft beer to protect their bottom line so it may not be selling out but I will not be visiting ratebeer ever again, they lost all cred when it comes to supporting craft beer

 

"Our new data source tells us that most beer drinkers do not drink the same beer twice. Many of them seek out beers from small African countries. Many drink a dozen different beers in a single night. And there is a huge market for craft ciders"

 

Honestly I see buying into beer forums as a great move. AB has been trying to get into craft beer for a long time, anything that helps them keep up with the trends can definitely benefit them. Maybe they'll start making NE IPAs soon, or they'll make an offer for a trillium or treehouse.

 

I would be very interested to hear @Todd or @Jason take on this because they are able to offer a very unique perspective and insight that us as users may not see. How does this benefit ABI? How much of that statement from Joe is BS?

I had no idea that ABI would be interested in partnering with a website. They really are trying to integrate themselves into every aspect of the craft world.

Always thought BA was far superior to RateBeer and Untappd, hence only having an account here, but knowing that ABI is sniffing around beer sites and they didn't even attempt to acquire or "partner with" the best one gives me a new respect for the Bros (not to say that I didn't have quite a bit before).

 

They're looking for you over there:

 

There's way too much smoke here. How can this deal go down 9 months ago, but a press release about the transaction is first released late on a Friday afternoon in the summer? They know damn well that most people have a foot out the door by noon on Friday in June. And the site that broke the story is one that has a business consulting relationship with AB?

AB doesn't buy companies to be "bros" - there is always a strategic initiative at play. Buying up beer rating sites, the nation's largest homebrewing site, and acquiring other grassroots companies is definitely part of a larger strategic initiative.

At the very least, akin to journalism, this would most definitely violate all ethics rules to not disclose the transaction right away. Beer rating sites like Ratebeer.com or BeerAdvocate would need to disclose whether or not they are owned by a brewer, because there clearly could be a conflict of interest there. Simply put, these sites "report" consumer views on breweries. Sof if the site itself is owned by a brewery, there is the possibility that the objective nature could be compromised. Especially if said brewer has been on a massive acquisition spree of craft breweries.

 

Exactly. If this gives ABI privileged access to the Rate Beer data as it is, that would be much more valuable to them than adopting the very short-sighted view that they can change the market place through manipulation of the Rate Beer data to create false impressions.

BTW, the ability to leverage that data would already exist since some aspects of marketing research and/or marketing researchers are already employ much more sophistated and rigorously controlled Rate Beer data collection. It has it's obvious flaws and the key to their use lies in recognizing those flaws and dealing with them in ways that minimize or eliminate their biasing effects.

 

I seem to have missed something. Where does it say the deal was actually completed 9 months ago. Thanks.

 

I stopped using RateBeer at least 2 years ago.
ABInbev sure is making ground in controlling the market slowly but surely. SMH

 

Agree completely about press releases. I always find it comical that they expect anyone to swallow something like that. Just talk like a human being.

 

Having access to Ratebeer data is a good way to work around some of the holes we see in beer sale data. Beer sold from taprooms isn't tracked well, but it is logged in and rated. Untappd data would probably be the better source for this, but if you're looking for the fastest raw data on beer trends and consumer preferences, this is the way to do it. I don't see this as AB securing more ad channels or promoting their own brands via RB, they're buying a data feed to inform their own decisions about new products or acquisitions.

 

SN in Mills River has two wells that provide all the water for beer production.

Municipal water is used domestic purposes, and they collect rain water for toilets, etc.

 

Snuck it in "I've been working with our expanded team on a daily basis since October."

 

This is a direct quote from thier current "About Us" page (no mention of the new ownership BTW).

"Our mission is to provide unbiased, consumer-driven information about beer and breweries "

 

they did just have a beer fest in January. It would be like WW holding back an announcement until after the fest that was eventually cancelled. I'm not sure which method is worse, or just slightly acceptable.


Seems like a lot would have liked a heads up so they could delete their reviews/account. Now that it's all in the open, I bet Ab already got what they wanted initially.

Real time craft sales come from stores and distributors. So this move is just odd to me. Can't help but think they want to inject some of their 'craft' beers into the mix, somewhat forcibly

 

Shane, do you have any further insights here? What is the ABI larger strategic initiative in this context?

Cheers!

@Alexmc2