Cap'n Jewbeard
Well-Known Member
Preamble: I haven't posted on a beer-related topic in weeks, so I'm getting back into the water by combining my love of economics and my (more satisfying) love of beer.
I'm sure those of us with enough time to do so took at least a passing interest in the proposed merger of some of the Dark Lords. (Miller and Coors). Garrett Oliver, of Brooklyn Brewery, wrote this editorial in the NY Times:
Don't Fear Big Beer
Essentially, he's saying don't worry about the merger, b/c the "craft brewers" - he's trying to get away from the handle of "micro-brewers - are gaining market share and generally kicking ass.
He also adds a warning to his fellow crafties: Learn from BMC. Don't become like them, purveyors of bland, mass-market beers. Don't - as Google once put it Pollyannishly - Be Evil.
I think that's great. I also think they can afford to think like that while their market share is growing. That may (will) change, though, when the market is once again re-saturated by hordes of devoted, eccentric braumeisters, who are suddenly competing for a scarce pool of beer afficionados. Then, they start again with the mergers, and the acquisitions, and the adding rice to drinks other than sake, and the general ****tiness... ^
So here's my question: How long can they sustain this model? Would it be possible, when the inevitable mergers start, to maintain the quality of the beer? Or will they fall victim to the same thing that corrupted BMC in the first place: the realization that by diluting their product, they could literally wipe their asses with $100 bills.
^ It occurs to me that after this merger happens, BMC will get shortened to BM. Now we can snicker when we say "I really don't want to drink a BM." ^^
^^ And now, I've just reminded myself of that scene in the second Austin Powers movie. Brb guys, gonna go hork up my last 3 beers.
I'm sure those of us with enough time to do so took at least a passing interest in the proposed merger of some of the Dark Lords. (Miller and Coors). Garrett Oliver, of Brooklyn Brewery, wrote this editorial in the NY Times:
Don't Fear Big Beer
Essentially, he's saying don't worry about the merger, b/c the "craft brewers" - he's trying to get away from the handle of "micro-brewers - are gaining market share and generally kicking ass.
He also adds a warning to his fellow crafties: Learn from BMC. Don't become like them, purveyors of bland, mass-market beers. Don't - as Google once put it Pollyannishly - Be Evil.
I think that's great. I also think they can afford to think like that while their market share is growing. That may (will) change, though, when the market is once again re-saturated by hordes of devoted, eccentric braumeisters, who are suddenly competing for a scarce pool of beer afficionados. Then, they start again with the mergers, and the acquisitions, and the adding rice to drinks other than sake, and the general ****tiness... ^
So here's my question: How long can they sustain this model? Would it be possible, when the inevitable mergers start, to maintain the quality of the beer? Or will they fall victim to the same thing that corrupted BMC in the first place: the realization that by diluting their product, they could literally wipe their asses with $100 bills.
^ It occurs to me that after this merger happens, BMC will get shortened to BM. Now we can snicker when we say "I really don't want to drink a BM." ^^
^^ And now, I've just reminded myself of that scene in the second Austin Powers movie. Brb guys, gonna go hork up my last 3 beers.