The Wake

Reading an article over at MinnPost a few minutes ago reminded me of a disturbing trend in the brew business in the last few years that has gained some momentum recently. MinnPost’s Mark Neuzil covered the move of large multinationals buying out smaller “green” companies. In this case it was Clorox’s (nothing says natural like the fresh scent of Clorox Bleach) move to buyout Burt’s Bees. As Mark mentions later, many of these companies “forget” to mention who owns them. In one case “Anheuser Busch created a subsidiary, the Green Valley Brewing Co., to sell two organic beers, Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale and Wild Hop Organic Lager, that don’t mention the A-B name on the label but do at the websites.” Let me say that cooption isn’t the worst thing possible, after all it’s in Anheuser’s blood to do stuff like this. It has long been in a fight with Budweiser Budvar over a name they allegedly stole a few years after the Czech beer company started importing to America.

That’s A Lot of Bad Beer, Hand Me a Craft Lite?

Admittedly the big boys are in the business of making money and from time to time selling a decent product. Way back in 1992, Miller, now owned by South African Beer, bought out the beloved Leinenkugel, but that made sense, after all they both reside in the great state of Wisconsin. But the list goes on to include: Black Label, MGD, Old English, Peroni, Pilsner Urquell, and 145 other fine (and some horrible) beverages. They even brew Pabst under contract. These previous moves are fantastic in a business sense, but do the products maintain any sense of quality?

The latest move by the SABMiller’s of the world is craft brews under very non-craft names like Michelob and Miller Lite. In Michelob’s case the new slogan is “Crafting a New Beer,” with products such as Honey Ale, Porter, and Marzen, which are apparently better marketed versions of beers released a few years ago. Their labels also bear a striking resemblance to the ones found at Minnesota’s own microbrew August Schell. I’ll let you be the judge. A few weeks later I noticed advertisements popping up around town for Miller Lite Brewers Collection with the best slogan yet “Craft Beer. Done Lite.” Well I know I’m going to have to try this marketing ploy. It’s on a limited run right now, but do these guys really think they can succeed. I know they somehow marketed into hipster culture with Pabst, but I drink a Fat Tire because its good and it’s not Miller. I drink Pabst because its cheap and truly a “lite” beer that tastes like beer. Unless these “craft beers” can compete with the Bells and Surly’s of the world when it comes to flavor, they aren’t going to make any gains in my backyard. But then again what’s difference between any of these when the little guys get bought out. I guess it’s all marketing and money.

Tags: Anheuser Busch, Budweisar Budvar, Craft Beers, Miller Lite, MinnPost