Which craft breweries need to shrink?

Magic hat is craft. A lot of posters seem to have a problem with that but it is craft.

 

The only difference is when I screw up a recipe at home (and I don't buy kits), I don't try to sell it to the public with some new hipster name. DFH does.

 

Experimentation is what makes the industry what it is. Just think someone, "experimented" with hops once too. No need to hate on pushing the envelope.

 

Oh snap. I thought WB was only taking up an inordinate amount of shelf space here in their home state. I've tried so many of their offerings - I really, really want to like them. Where's the "sad incredible Hulk walking away piano music?"

 

But beard yeast?

 

When did they do this? I only remember them dumping batches of 120, much to the general public's chagrin, because it wasn't up to their standards.

And watch where you throw around the "H" word. Them's fightin' words.

 

Haha exactly. Or the "this brewery is way overrated' thread. If you have a problem with a brewery a) don't drink there beer or b) check out some reviews of your peers before you pay a bunch of money for their beer and judge on that.

Also shrinking a brewery that has over priced beer... isn't going to help lol.

 

I haven't seen Indian Wells in a Whole Foods in a long time.

 

And adjust their pricing.

 

The obvious is GOOSE ISLAND.... may have already been said, but to lazy to look. The Bourbon County Stout of 2012 is garbage compared to the 2011, after of course the acquisition by AB.

 

Not according to Brewers Association's definition - it's now owned by NAB, an "...alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer" (see footnote for NAB on the B.A. Top 50 Overall Breweries - 2011 "(d) includes Dundee, Genesee, Labatt Lime, Magic Hat and Pyramid brands;")

In fact, with the recent sale of NAB to Cerveceria Costa Rica SA, they're no longer even US-owned.

 

I forgot about the ownnership rules, just thinking of the all malt flagship.

 

Haven't you seen Caligione's post here on BA from a couple of years ago? It's now "hip" to trash some of the original craft brewers (e.g., DFH) simply because they've become more available and regular people (and not simply BA trolls) have begun to enjoy them.

If you don't like DFH's experimental beers, don't buy them. I fail to see the worth (other than to satiate one's own desire to seem "hip" in the beer) to trash the entire brewery.

 

+1 to Magic Hat! Their beer sucks and does nothing for me!

 

I would suggest that brewing styles neglected by the big beer companies for consumers who prefer those styles is what made the craft industry what it is.

I don't hate breweries that make those goofy concoctions, but I've never bought one and don't intend to. I'm kind of a Reinheitsgebot guy when it comes to beer.

I wonder what percentage of sales for craft companies comes from those weird beer concoctions versus the standard styles? Or is it just marketing to get people's attention?

 

Realy, you think these guys have been drinking beer that long?

 

Unfortunately, the flavored/spiced/fruit beers are pretty big - since many are "cross-over" type beers (MH #9, pumpkin ales, etc) that often appeal to macro drinkers looking for "something different".

The SIG numbers (off-premise, conv./grocery/drug) have "Seasonal" as the largest craft beer segment- so that generalized category includes many non-traditional type beers- spiced winter beers, pumpkin, lemon/lime/fruit/herb spring & summer beer, etc. They add up to 20% of all craft beer sales.

The best selling craft "beer" according to SIG is "Sam Adams Seasonal" (most/all are spiced/flavored, IIRC, save their Oktoberfest) - which taken together account for 7% of all craft beer sales. Of the actual brands in the Top 20 craft beers (not counting the "seasonal" or "variety packs") only Magic Hat #9 and SA Cherry Wheat are of the flavored variety.

 

If a brewery makes crappy beers that nobody drinks then chances are they will shrink or close. Say it with your $. Obviously somebody is buying Maple Bacon beer.

 

Do you have an example of a beer they put out that they knew was bad but still did anyway? Or are you just referencing some beer they make that you don't like the taste of and assume it must not be what they intended?

DFH makes some beers I straight up hate, but I will try whatever they put out because I like tasting flavors in beer I've never tasted before. Some may not be my cup if tea, but some turn out to be different, delicious and interesting.

 

Ditto. I'm a pro-experimentation guy. You never know what you're going to love. And c'mon, beer in general and stouts and hoppy beers in particular are just as an acquired taste, for most people, as coffee, tobacco, etc. Maybe they'll make something that you'll find yourself oddly drawn to later on.