Is this the next and final push?

There are a few cities that have reached that level, Portland is over 30% IIRC.

That is why I dont see growth plateauing anytime soon, I think nationally we can reach 20%, at least.

 

I don't know that we need to win. I'd just like to see people have the choice. If we make beer more of a local commodity in the process, even better!

 

And you replace them with the next generation of 20 somethings.

A good job depends a lot on circumstances.

I know of a couple of people who make mid-to-high 5 figure salaries who have turned down a 6 figure opportunity from a large local corporation because they dont want to work in that environment.

But that is a lot easier to do at 70k than at 20k.

 

No, Im fine with -er, not necessarily -est. -est is pretty much by defintion going to be on tail of the bell curve.

Here is my prediction, I will wager money/beer on it if anyone wants: On June 11, 2033, the biggest selling beer in America will be higher ABV, darker, and hoppier than Bud Light 2013 edition.

Honestly, only the first could trip me up.

 

I wonder how much of that is a function of more modernized/automated production methods that eliminated the need for some positions.

Don't get me wrong; I have no delusions that BMC provide these jobs out of the goodness of their hearts. Like almost all companies, they want to maximize their profits and will compensate their people as little as they can get away with. But their jobs are good union jobs (except for Coors.) I'd be happy to see craft beer create more jobs, I just hope they are good jobs.

 

Bud was probably a sponsor.

However, I see lots of Goose Island at events like that. That they didnt have it seems odd to me.

 

But what happens to the collective industry knowledge and experience when you do that? Again, if I were betting on an industry to continue to thrive, I wouldn't feel too secure employing such practices; but that's just me.

 

You cant do it entirely across the board. The key is to retain key personnel. I worked for a company in the 90s in an entirely different industry that worked that way. They hired 20 somethings just out of college, initially paying them relatively low salaries, but offered nice raises to the employees they wanted to keep. Most worked there for 2-3 years and moved on elsewhere, others continue to work there to this day making nice money.

A similar model is probably needed, do what it takes to keep the best and the brightest, and let the rest move on.

 

One thing that needs to be remembered is that cost is a factor for a lot of beer drinkers, and, let's face it, craft is expensive.

I'm not poor; I have a decent job, but I'm not rich, either. I've poured a lot of money recently into my relatively new hobby of homebrewing and, there have been times lately where there's a gap in my homebrew pipeline, and I'm a trying to stretch my paycheck out, that I just can't justify paying $14.99 for a 750 ml or a 6 pack and have ended up having to buy BMC. Not just BMC, but, of all things, my go to "bad" beer, Natty Light--I figure all light AAL's taste roughly the same, may as well buy the cheapest, and I justify it by saying "hey, I'm supporting union jobs." I suppose I could have just bought the 750 or the 6 pack and "drank less, drank better" but sometimes I want something a little more sessionable.

Now, like I said, I do okay, and have been able to enjoy many fine beers, but even I have a price limit I won't go over, except for maybe once in a blue moon, (give me a chance to buy Pliny, and I'll happily dip into my savings.) However, there are plenty of people out there far worse off than me who just literally can't afford to get into craft. I don't think that most craft breweries really have the capacity to offer these people something more affordable.

 

But that's what I was pointing out in my example: many times it's the most passionate, best, and brightest that will be "forced" out by the lack of sufficient revenue (and the addition of wives/kids). The problem is compounded when those striking out don't find sufficient room in the industry for any further ventures they might be considering because the pie is already sliced up so thin.

 

Meh, you could say that, but they still serve their purpose. My life is better as a union member and I'd like to see them make a return to the private sector.

 

In May of 2009, before I realized that there were so many different beers to choose from, I basically was stuck on Anchor Steam, SABL and SNPA. As I began to tire of the same shit all the time, I was developing a taste for good Tequila and continuing a adult-life long relationship with Jack D. When I discovered the vast selection of craft beers, liquor lost its appeal and I've have had maybe 2 shots of Tequila and 3 or 4 Jacks since May 2009. My point is one that's been made before - there are many people just realizing that there's more out there than BMC and that with such a variety, it makes sense to find out what all the fuss is about. As craft beer becomes more and more popular, more people will be curious and that's where the growth will come. Not only from curious current BMC drinkers but from those who turned away from beer because they thought there was nothing out there but AALs. In all likelihood, craft beer's popularity will probably grow and plateau, grow and plateau but I don't believe it will ever shrink again. There's too many of us to let that happen, thank goodness. Does that mean the craft beer revolution has succeeded? Sure, why not.