The Problem with American Craft

But, again I ask, how do you change that? I mean, at some point SC had German import O-fests on the shelves, and now that's decreasing. Why? And how do you stop it?

 

It's definitely a complicated issue.

At the risk of sounding elitist, I think it's a combination of ignorance, complacency, "hipsters," and locovorism (is this a word now?). I would argue that a lot of the general public simply supports these "mediocre" local craft brews because they don't know any better or don't care about beer the way many (most?) on this site do. They just know it's better than BMC and it's made around the corner, and that's good enough for them. People in AZ where @yemenmocha is from probably don't know Founders from Lagunitas (it's definitely that way in WI), but they know Arizona Wilderness and SanTan (not hating on either, they're both solid, they're just the only AZ breweries I know); they know that those beers are made right down the road, which is important to locovores. They're complacent with a less than stellar product in compromise with it being local. Many people that drink craft today also aren't in it for the beer but the status associated with it: hipsters. Hipsters also tend to be focused on locality.

To go back to your music analogy briefly, Top 40 is something people who don't really care about music listen to. They're happy with it because it's good enough, and they listen to it more as background noise and in certain events (to break silence on car rides, parties, etc.). Very few people that are heavily invested into music (as we are in beer) would say Top 40 is their jam; I'd take that further and say people that care about music probably actively avoid Top 40. It's similar with beer amongst the uninformed and essentially uninterested. Beer to many, even those that partake in craft beer, is no more than an alcohol delivery system, and they'll take whatever's easiest to get.

This is a little incoherent and heavy on unfair generalizations, so I'm sorry. I think you have a point, but I think the other side (@yemenmocha, me, and others) does too. I also sympathize with @herrburgess since imports don't sell at all in my area, so I wouldn't be surprised to see many greats like Weihenstephaner, Spaten, Ayinger, etc. being stocked less in the future. As a lover of "less popular" (read: non-lambic) European beer, that would break my little heart.

 

Old World... They've even started canning their beers. And they changed the bottle art.

Another thorn in my side is Grand Canyon brewing which I'm seeing more often. Mudshark too. And yes, I'm tired of the Kiltlifter and SanTan beers. My BP doesn't rise so much when I see a HopKnot though.

 

Try and educate "craft" beer fans online about what/who makes a great version of a German/German-style beer? Make my own versions? Preach that the abundance and desire for ever more variety isn't always a good thing? All of the above?

 

Or a new startup could go with opposite approach, charge more than market value with the new released local brew as you know most newbies will buy to try it once at least or you'll grab the local-beer groupies dollars. Once it seems your product isn't moving as much, lower the price. I guess if you are trying to maximize profit that may be a sound strategy to go with as well. Average beer at a lower price sells very well.

 

I think the American craft market has its issues, but no more or less than any other market really. Overall I am happy with the rate at which this hobby is growing and part of that growing pain will be lackluster breweries from all areas cropping up. We just have to hope that some form of beer-darwinism will weed them out over time.

 

Sounds like a perfect opportunity for you to start your own brewery, cash in on the locavores, teach their palates to appreciate the authentic stuff, and, in turn, increase demand for those beers, thereby bringing them back to store shelves. See how simple it is!

 

to oversimplify, there needs to be a more educated consumer base. I don't mean anything lofty and pretentious about it. I think, for example, if consumers had more access to the best examples of a given style then they would be less likely than before to buy the mediocre local options.

 

You're not wrong, but when people constantly support "lesser" craft it makes an impact on an already marginalized market share, so I'd say those have more of an effect than people that couldn't care less about craft.

We in Wisconsin deny such a beer existed.





...I like Schlitz.

 

Now that's a free-market economy answer! Any tips where I can find some VCs who love Rauchbier?

 

Probably the most spot-on response on this whole thread! I wish I could have articulated all this so well!

 

There is a certain sameness about a lot of craft brews, mainly in the form of a lack of balance.
Much of the new stuff coming out (especially in the least couple of years) tastes a bit amateurish to me. Considering the inflated prices on some American craft product, it's pretty clear that you're not always getting something that is better quality and consumers are beginning to realize that.
I've been watching, studying, and supporting the craft side of the industry since its very beginnings and I'll be interested to see what happens as the bigger brewers continue to get more serious about making beers with character (as some already are). I think it will be good for both sides of the business...it will "up" everyone's game.
The next few years are going to be very interesting.

 

Not entirely sure, but I'm such a nice guy, I'll offer to sample your test batches.

 

Thank you, but I thought it was terribly written. It really doesn't flow very well at all, but I hope I got my point(s) across. This is really an interesting topic, and I'm always happy to see so many "heavy-hitters" of the BA world in one thread, discussing passionately yet respectfully. It's threads like these that make me happy to be a part of the community! Cheers, all! Please pardon this minor aside.

 

I don't get it. Is your definition of "hoppy" bitter? Because "hoppy" can be much more than that.

 

So to recap, are we seriously complaining that more craft breweries and more availability of fresh local beer is somehow damaging the craft beer industry?

Because I think my crazy pills just kicked in.

 

That plus the better brewers expanding. Local brewers should have to compete with them. Let them up their game. Give me a real reason (a beer) that makes it tough to instead choose Founders, Victory, Bell's, Ballast Point, Stone, Firestone Walker, etc. based on taste!

 

fixed that for you. Not sure you read the above pages.

 

I read the entire thread. I just find it odd that the biggest gripe is people wanting to support their local breweries even if they are not making world class 5-star beer. And somehow that hurts craft beer.

There are an alarming number of threads on this site of people complaining that they have too many choices these days.

 

@JackRWatkins I agree with the general sentiment of what you're saying. In a lot of cases breweries get into this hop/bitterness dick-measuring contest. Basically, a sort-of "what can you take?" attitude when it comes to IBU, etc...

Although, at the same time... it is important to remember that most breweries are just doing this because they're trying to please their consumers. So really, it's us beer geeks that have contributed to that kind of mentality.