Lest your think, based on last week’s links, that the Craft Brewers Conference had no redeeming qualities read what Stephanie Grant wrote in her newsletter. She witnessed shining moments as well as the less pleasant ones.
She’s not about to overlook the latter, writing, “But before we look at growth, we must fix the problems within the industry. We have to reduce harm to our most vulnerable members. Otherwise, we will lose incredibly talented people because, frankly, we couldn’t get our shit together.”
– One of the high moments for many was an event to introduce the National Black Brewers Association. The association plans to . . . promote the Black brewing community; increase the number of African Americans in the brewing industry at all levels of production, especially ownership and brewmaster; exercise political influence by developing and advocating for effective policy; and foster an understanding of the history and legacy of African American brewing in the United States.
The organization’s first initiatives will include organizing a National Black Brewers Day celebrated in ten jurisdictions (cities or states) on Oct. 10. The day will recognize Theodore Mack Sr., one of the first first African American brewery owners in the country. Coincidentally, Oct. 10 is Indigenous People’s Day.
Funding for NBBA got off to a good start when Boston Beer company announced it is donating $225,000 to the association.
By the numbers
– Belgium suffers humiliation at World Beer Cup with only two awards
The Brussels Times story with the alarmist headline points out the competition had a total of 24 “Belgian-style” beer categories, for which US beers took home most of the prizes. But that was true across the board. US brewers entered 80 percent of the beers and won 87 percent of the medals. In 2018 they won 80 percent of the medals, and in 2022 83 percent. The number of non-US medalist dropped from 51 to 40 between 2022 and 2023. California brewers alone won 53 medals.
– Why beer was cheaper in 1516
“According to ZipRecruiter the average wages for a day labourer in Virginia (in 2023) would be $130.88 per day. In terms of purchasing power, a Bavarian day labourer (in 1516)without keep, if he spent a whole day’s wage on beer could buy 18 litres of beer, or 38 16oz pints, while our modern labourer could purchase just shy of 19, basically half as much.”
Your turn, Miller Lite
– Women drinking beer clothed
– Have all the beers gone woke?
“Think of it this way, whatever your political inclinations: The beers are the drinking buddies you suspect really don’t have your best interests at heart when they suggest you order just one more at the bar before you head home. They’ve been putting all of the rounds on your tab, and are drinking with the other guy at the bar who really irks you.”
Thumbs down
– This Beer Was Brewed Specifically for Shoving Up a Chicken’s Butt.
– Bad Collaborations
“I’ll throw it to you. Beer Can Chicken Beer: brilliant synergy or embarrassing gaffe?”
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– A day in the life
Martyn Cornell writes, “I will gladly put my hand up and say yes, I am a lucky fecker, there are very few other people who will get the opportunity to brew a collaboration beer at one of the best-known breweries, certainly in North America, possibly on the planet. What have I done to deserve it? I’d like to hope researching and writing more than 1.5 million words on the subject of beer and the history of beer over the past 35 and more years, which has bought me much pleasure, a few prizes, but little financial reward, at least entitles me to a jolly occasionally.”
– Appalachian Mountain Brewery buys itself back
It doesn’t happen very often, but you can go home again. (It would be fun to know what the owners of AMB received when they sold their brewery in 2018 and what it cost them to buy it back from Anheuser-Busch, wouldn’t it?) In 1995, Miller Brewing bought Shipyard Brewing. In 2000, Miller sold the brewery back to its original owners. In 2003, I talked to principals Fred Forsley and Alan Pugsley about their experience for an article that appeared in The New Brewer.
Asked about the future (remember, 20 years ago), Forsley said, “I think there are going to be larger regionals that are successful and I think there are going to be smaller breweries that do well. In other words, I don’t think the middle size breweries will be there, that it’s difficult to survive. I think there’s room for people who are doing it for the love of beer, but not to have a growing business. But I think the economics are difficult for some of the people in the middle. The reality of life is that if you want to grow you have to feed the growth machine. You can stay small and be successful and be very happy, and I encourage that.”