Recommend a "mid market" ABI beer

If it is the immigration thing, keep in mind that the lead time on vetting and producing a Super Bowl commercial is months, not days, before it gets aired during that very expensive prime time show.

 

Depends on one's definition of "Big Beer". Using the Brewers Association definition of a "small brewer" having an annual production of "under 6 million barrels", there are only four companies that are above that figure: AB, MillerCoors, Constellation and Heineken. Together the four accounted for 80% of the beer sold in the US [2015], with the only two domestic brewers on that list, AB and MC (and even a percentage of their sales are of imported beer), having a combined market share of 68.7%.

 

Numbers have never really been my thing. I think my point still stands.

 

I'm a big fan off all Goose Island beers. I'm sure a bunch of people will attack me for saying this, but their beers haven't changed any in my opinion. Solid beers and very affordable. Have limited distro around here on Elysian, blue point, 10 barrel, etc but I assume they are all solid beers too. Simply don't get that big and sell out for that amount of money by making bad beer. Respect a beer for what it is, who cares who brews it. Good beer=good beer.

 

I just gotta ask: is 5 weeks too old for you?

Cheers!

 

You do realize that they do not actually brew the beer in the rear of the store right? It takes a little time to get the beer into their various markets.

 

The OP didn't ask where to spend the money. The OP already said where they were going to spend it. If that's what they want to support...who are we to stop them? You or I may not totally agree, but to each their own. Seems that they just wanted suggestions on what to buy in the ABI portfolio that wasn't an AAL.

That said...fresh Elysian is probably a good bet.

 

Negra Modelos are mighty fine for washing down nachos and wings

 

Employee #1: "Given the news lately, should we still run this add now?"
Employee #2: "I wish we weren't, but what other choice do we have at this point?"

 

I have no idea whether there is a contract in place with the TV broadcaster(s) but AB could choose to just pull the ad. It cost them money to produce the ad but it costs even more to actually show it. If the AB business leaders think the ad would be counterproductive (i.e., potential lost sales) it may make sense to just not show it.

At the end of the day it is a business decision.

Cheers!

 

http://edit.adweek.com/brand-market...nt-story-to-reclaim-the-super-bowl-spotlight/

Here's some background including time, costs, and purpose of the commercial. ABI did not produce this commercial because it's trying to make some kind of social/political statement.

 

I watched the ad - it's not really that political of a commercial - not much "risk" for AB.

If you are against the immigration policy and weren't already a Bud drinker, you might read it that way, and maybe now you'll buy some. Positive for them.

But if you were already a Bud drinker and happen to support the immigration ban - for various political reasons (I'll leave it at that) you probably don't consider a 19th century German in the same category as the 7 countries banned. So you never even interpret it as a political statement, and you still drink your Bud. No effect on AB's bottom line.

So @lordofthemark , I wouldn't be handing out any awards for political bravery to AB yet.

But to answer the OP - Devil's Backbone makes some good stuff - I liked their Schwarzbier.

 

It's probably pretty safe to say that internally it would be considered a disaster if they pulled it. On top of that, since the issues are already out there, they would even run the risk of a consumer backlash by doing so.

 

But it is making a political statement regardless of their original intent. Starbucks doesn't intend to make political statement with Xmas coffee cups every year yet somehow it becomes one to certain people. ABI choose to release this ad to the public and people can respond to it as they see fit, positively or negatively. Furthermore the magnitude of the response may weigh into the company's [or others] future decisions. It is a pure form of expression, free speech, and "putting your money where your mouth is" .... it is the American way.

 

+1 for Honker's Ale. 4.3% ABV, great sessionable beer for the game. If I see it somewhat fresh it's always welcome in my fridge.

 

Devils Backbone is a really good beer, I might just go this way myself, or Red Oak Munich Helles.

 

The number of people who are aware of the Bud commercial now is miniscule compared to how many will watch it during the Super Bowl (millions upon millions).

It would not surprise me that the AB business leaders decide to go with it considering the investment they made to produce this ad. Anther consideration is maybe those business leaders think that any publicity is good publicity? But who really knows how they think.

Cheers!

 

Yeah, I guess over 100 million via US TV, with the spot on Youtube at over 6 million already... and the conversation there is about politics. But what really matters is how big the story would get if they were desperate enough to pull it... and that would be a news story. I'm sure AB's PR and social media department will have a restless weekend.

 

I like the Leffe (except Ruby!) beers and Spaten for sure. Blue Point Rasta Rye and Oatmeal Stout are nice too.

 

I'm also going to give Honker's Ale a try if I see it, I always like an English style ale.