Following that, The Lion’s going to do a great job on Phil’s beers. They’re competent, eager, and the former owners left them in great shape to handle stuff like this. I’m actually looking forward to Phil’s beers bringing home as many GABF medals to PA as Pabst did when they brewed outside of Allentown (including the most medals ever won by one brewery in one year at GABF, BTW).

And…anyone who sez Phil’s beers will go downhill or get dumb after this distribution agreement? You and me, outside, right now.

I guess you know why.

I recently revisited Redhook ESB after a long hiatus and would tend to agree with you Stan, I really like the smooth maltiness of this beer with the right amount of hop balance to style.

However, many have pointed out that it has mellowed in its diacetyl character — whether you find that a good or bad thing, I doubt it’s any “dumbing down” or A-B hand in the mix – probably just listening to a majority of drinkers who don’t like or understand the flavor.

I haven’t seen much hurt to the better beers in these “alliances,” at least not here in the U.S. Don’t get started on InBev’s spread of its reign.

How is this “deal” that much different from what Victory, Rogue and others are already doing with large distro networks? Nothing. It just appeared to be different.

Question though…does the Lion Brewery date their bottles? Would be nice to see all SPH bottles carry some sort of dating system.

So they might have lost what you perceive as an edge simply by staying the same. Quite honestly, I’ve never been enough of a Redhook drinker to chart that.

It affords more people to opportunity enjoy his product across the country (and maybe globe.)