Month: May 2009

How much you should pay – the point

A really interesting discussion between Mario at Brewed For Thought and Pete from BetterBeerBlog about paying $43 for the Mayfield Iconoclast beers at Whole Foods. (I think, I hope, this is the price of a 750ml bottle.) Go read it all.

I’m too distracted to jump into this other than to suggest . . .

Chatter about why it costs $43 (or $30 or whatever) is noise. The why is relevant only in context.

Instead, here’s the bottom line. If a beer is worth $43 then consumers will buy it. Those at other breweries will notice and if they can conjure up a beer somewhat similar and as good for $42 or $38 or $2.50 then they will do that.

During the discussion portion of Beer Wars Live Greg Koch pointed out that Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale is the nation’s top-selling craft 22-ounce package. How’s that for a target? If Anheuser-Busch could brew that beer for less wouldn’t they? So to the line I’ve heard so often: “The big brewers could brew whatever they want if they chose to” I say “Poppycock.” I’m of the opinion they can’t brew the beer at any price. It’s not in their DNA.

I’ve begun to digress. Back to the point. I’m willing to pay “more” for the beers we want to drink. I don’t expect brewers to sell beers for less they they cost (and I understand all the costs) to brew. But I don’t buy beers based on what they cost to make. I buy them based on the experience they deliver.

The blogs involved:
– Brewed for Thought.
– BetterBeerBlog.

 

American Craft Beer Week on Facebook

As I type this nearly 5,000 Facebook members have signed up as fans of American Craft Beer Week.

I’m not sure that’s a lot but the number surely will go higher. And the “Declaration of Beer Independence” is bound to get more attention. (I’ve already written I’m delighted to focus on where a beer is brewed and who brews it, but I also think part of independence means people get to drink whatever they want, even Bud Light Lime . . . or is it Bud Lime Light?)

A quick historical note: Had American Beer Month remained American Beer Month this July (because that’s when it was held before it became Craft Beer Week) we’d be celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The Facebook page looks like the best way anybody has come up with so far to let more people know about this not-so-new idea, so maybe more people will join in the celebration. We’ll see. Actually, you’ll see. We’re going to be busy celebrating America itself. Heading to Yosemite and not thinking about beer.

Drink a local beer for me.

 

Session #28 revealed: Drink globally

The SessionBrian Yaeger of Red, White and Brew has set the top for the 28th round of the Session: Think/Drink Globally. Should I, in the midst of an adventure where our goal is to eat and drink local products, think this is a good idea?

No need to panic, because here’s part of Brian’s directive:

[I]n honor of Global Craft Beer Forever, I pose everyone writes about the farthest brewery (including brewpubs) you have visited and specifically the best beer you had there. Again, not your favorite or any old brewery you’ve been to, but the one that is the longest haul away.

So this does not have to be about buying some beer from far, far away and drinking it at home. At least that’s the way I am approaching it. Brian, in fact, writes you may want to go out and buy a bottle that’s been shipped from wherever. Or you could “find a local beer of the same style and do a little compare and contrast.” I like that better.

I’m sure I’ll figure something out once I determine a) where we’ll be June 5 (maybe Oregon) and b) the most far flung brewery we’ve visited.

 

Odell on regional beers – What’s big enough?

Beer giantI’m only about seven months behind on this, but here’s a great quote from Doug Odell of Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, Colo., that appeared last October in Modern Brewery Age:

“I like the idea of regionalism in consumer products. I like the idea of independent coffee shops, hamburger stands and ice cream that’s made in your own town. That way you can go different places, have different products, and get different versions of things. Being a regional brewery fulfills my idea of doing that. You come to Ft. Collins, and you can get beers you don’t get in Indiana. I think regionalism is important for the health of independent brewers. Not everyone can be everywhere.”

I think that stands on itself, but blogs are supposed to include commentary, yes? So I point you to Maureen Ogle’s ongoing followup to Beer Wars. (Sorry, it never goes away.)

Her points about entrepreneurship are fair enough, and worth considering through the lens of history. Which she does. But when I read what Doug Odell has to say, when I think about talking to Bob Sylvester in his tiny brewery then I’m pretty sure some brewers will be content to serve a limited audience really good beer.