[denny]

I agree with the assertion that this practice makes room for new microbreweries and hope we're right. I think another big factor in why the big corporations can't maintain the quality is that they cannot use the same high quality ingredients in the same amounts and make the necessary profit. I think a small brewer starts with a great beer, prices and markets accordingly, tries to get a bit more effecient where possible and then holds their breathe. A big corp knows how much profit a given product needs to make and works backwards from there.

But there is no indication that quality in ANY of the breweries that AB has bough has fallen.   Dick Cantwell says nothing will change in terms of the products.

[Steve Ruch]

I'm not an Elysian hater or a hater of anyone who makes a business decision that he feels is best for him or his company, but Elysian now drops to the bottom of my list of breweries to buy from.

That's how I feel. Good for Elysian and their families. But I won't support BMC by buying it afterward.

Me either, I'd rather spend my modest beer budget (most goes to ingredients) on someone other than "Goliath" brewing.

[troybinso]

I've always liked Elysian, but I probably won't be buying much of their beer anymore. I don't like AB-Inbev because their flagship beer isn't good, their marketing is annoying and  their distribution practices are frequently predatory.

When there are so many good local breweries around why would I bother lining the pockets of some far off big wig instead of a local artisan. I am sure that Elysian will still put out quality beer, but that is not the only reason I buy craft beer.

[pete b]

I agree with the assertion that this practice makes room for new microbreweries and hope we're right. I think another big factor in why the big corporations can't maintain the quality is that they cannot use the same high quality ingredients in the same amounts and make the necessary profit. I think a small brewer starts with a great beer, prices and markets accordingly, tries to get a bit more effecient where possible and then holds their breathe. A big corp knows how much profit a given product needs to make and works backwards from there.

But there is no indication that quality in ANY of the breweries that AB has bough has fallen.   Dick Cantwell says nothing will change in terms of the products.

This might be true now, I really don't know but what if in a couple years traditional AB products decline in sales and even more beer drinkers are looking for microbrews. Won't AB feel the need to squeeze more profit out of their growing craft division?

[denny]

This might be true now, I really don't know but what if in a couple years traditional AB products decline in sales and even more beer drinkers are looking for microbrews. Won't AB feel the need to squeeze more profit out of their growing craft division?

If they make changes, the beer will be different and people will stop buying it.  Not what they're in it for.

[pete b]

This might be true now, I really don't know but what if in a couple years traditional AB products decline in sales and even more beer drinkers are looking for microbrews. Won't AB feel the need to squeeze more profit out of their growing craft division?

If they make changes, the beer will be different and people will stop buying it.  Not what they're in it for.

The people who buy it now might stop buying it, sure. But with AB marketing power they can make it close enough and sell it to a whole new market, a much bigger one. They can also make distributors distribute it and retailers sell it. I never saw Blue Point I think it is around here until they bought it. Now its in every store. I'm sure if you want to carry bud you have to buy whatever other product they tell you too.

[klickitat jim]

Soylent Green is made of people!!!!

[Steve Ruch]

Soylent Green is made of people!!!!

Which ones? I haven't seen hide nor hair of crazy old uncle Louie since he escaped from the attic on New Year's Eve.

[klickitat jim]

Soylent Green is made of people!!!!

Which ones? I haven't seen hide nor hair of crazy old uncle Louie since he escaped from the attic on New Year's Eve.

Funny stuff

Actually it was my obscure attempt at humorously suggesting that AB ownership will result in some sifi like scenario where.... never mind LOL. It was funny after a few sours

[Jimmy K]

I agree with the assertion that this practice makes room for new microbreweries and hope we're right. I think another big factor in why the big corporations can't maintain the quality is that they cannot use the same high quality ingredients in the same amounts and make the necessary profit. I think a small brewer starts with a great beer, prices and markets accordingly, tries to get a bit more effecient where possible and then holds their breathe. A big corp knows how much profit a given product needs to make and works backwards from there.

But there is no indication that quality in ANY of the breweries that AB has bough has fallen.   Dick Cantwell says nothing will change in terms of the products.

AB has been a minority owner of Fordham Brewery in DE for over 10 years. Nobody here gives it a second thought and it and the employees operate as if they were completely independent. I think AB has decided that if it gets too involved it will kill its own investment. Of course, this may be different 10 years from now, but I really don't like speculation. That's my zen side.
 
With Goose Island, the main difference is that ABI is supplementing production of flagship products at their own facilities - I've seen Goose Island IPA that's produced in Fort Collins. If that allows brewery owners to concentrate on specialty products, many are probably happy with that.

[reverseapachemaster]

I don't think the goal for ABI is to trash the products or otherwise affect the production quality of the beers. Rather, it seems ABI is looking to cash in on the craft beer movement and by having a portfolio of respected craft breweries they can offer a total package for their distributors to sell with their mainstream lagers plus a mix of European imports and domestic craft offerings.

IMO it's really less about competing against the local craft brewery and more about competing against the larger craft brewers who are competing for tap handles in places ABI and MillerCoors have traditionally had little competition. If they can convince Chili's and Applebees to take out the Sam Adams or Fat Tire handle and put in Goose Island or Elysian then they can control all the taps. They can also sell a complete package of handles to sports bars and other places that are expanding their beer offerings beyond the, "Oh we have everything! Bud, Bud Light, Miller..." but don't have much understanding of craft beer or any real interest in understanding it except knowing they need to sell it.

[morticaixavier]

I don't think the goal for ABI is to trash the products or otherwise affect the production quality of the beers. Rather, it seems ABI is looking to cash in on the craft beer movement and by having a portfolio of respected craft breweries they can offer a total package for their distributors to sell with their mainstream lagers plus a mix of European imports and domestic craft offerings.

IMO it's really less about competing against the local craft brewery and more about competing against the larger craft brewers who are competing for tap handles in places ABI and MillerCoors have traditionally had little competition. If they can convince Chili's and Applebees to take out the Sam Adams or Fat Tire handle and put in Goose Island or Elysian then they can control all the taps. They can also sell a complete package of handles to sports bars and other places that are expanding their beer offerings beyond the, "Oh we have everything! Bud, Bud Light, Miller..." but don't have much understanding of craft beer or any real interest in understanding it except knowing they need to sell it.

I don't think ABI is aiming to trash anything. after all they are spending a lot of money on these properties. I'm saying I don't think that they will, in the long run, be able to maintain the levels of quality that these brands were built on. They balance quality against the bottom line. It comes down to the same thing that happened with Bud, in the 70's that was a 20 IBU beer, now it's down below 10 IBU because focus groups didn't express a strong preference between 20 IBU and 18 IBU, or 18 IBU and 16 IBU, or 16 and 14, etc. incremental adjustments hide major changes over years/decades while adjusting customer expectations and reducing production costs/increasing profit margins. If you took a 1970 bud drinking and gave them a 2014 bud they would not recognize it and might well hate it.

[Slowbrew]

Soylent Green is made of people!!!!

Which ones? I haven't seen hide nor hair of crazy old uncle Louie since he escaped from the attic on New Year's Eve.

Funny stuff

Actually it was my obscure attempt at humorously suggesting that AB ownership will result in some sifi like scenario where.... never mind LOL. It was funny after a few sours

By way of consolation Jim, I got your joke and thought it was funny.  But when you have to start explaining a joke it's a sure sign it failed with the general audience.  8^)

Paul

[klickitat jim]

Soylent Green is made of people!!!!

Which ones? I haven't seen hide nor hair of crazy old uncle Louie since he escaped from the attic on New Year's Eve.

Funny stuff

Actually it was my obscure attempt at humorously suggesting that AB ownership will result in some sifi like scenario where.... never mind LOL. It was funny after a few sours

By way of consolation Jim, I got your joke and thought it was funny.  But when you have to start explaining a joke it's a sure sign it failed with the general audience.  8^)

Paul

Pretty much. Usually my obvious failure to explain is the only thing funny about the whole tragedy

[yso191]

I've been reading that Dick Cantwell, the head brewer and part owner, and the 'face' of Elysian, voted against the sale to AB, but was in the minority.