Joe Stange tackles the how many are too many breweries question in the latest issue of DRAFT magazine (July-August).
Yes, the topic has been talked to death (the Time and Denver Post – ‘Why can’t there be a brewery on every corner?’ – summaries will get you caught up if you’ve been in the south of France drinking wine the last few years). But Joe gives us more to think about.
. . . and variety—not quality—might be the real secret to craft beer’s recent success.
If that’s true does it mean the real question(s) might be is there such a such as too much variety? and if so, how much is too much?
My guess is “yes” and “we don’t know yet.”
With these kinds of things, you never know how far is too far, until you drive off the cliff.
Nathan – You aren’t making the long trip to St. Louis for the Belgian festival on Saturday, are you? At least 15 saisons on the list – and as much as I love saisons that seems like a lot.
Oh man, that sounds rad. Looks like it’s sold out, though. I had no idea it was going on.
Social networks, blogs, etc. (or rather their users) have a lot to answer for. If a brewery wants to stay in the geek conversation they will have to come up with a new beer.
My question is, how sustainable can this model be?
Max – I agree that a model based on always offering something new is not sustainable.
However, I also think there is more involved than pandering to the beer geek. More “average” drinkers want a wider variety of choices.
There is a balance, of course. There are breweries in a smart way, while there are others whose main aim seem to be to keep the novelty chasers happy.