A restaurant's 'own' brew.

[dougf]

Anyone tried these before?

Always shows up on the menu as "<insert establishment name>'s OWN brew. We love beer so much we have our own signature brew, its a classic ale brewed just for us. blah blah blah"

I had one at 'Jungle Jim's" restaurant the other night. Tasted EXACTLY like Budweiser. I asked the waiter and all he could tell me was 'its a pale ale that is brewed locally'. Hmm. I wonder how they can get away with marketing this as their 'own' brew. I was at a Smokey Bones bbq joint yesterday and they had the same thing advertised, just worded differently. I wonder if they just mix two beers together and call it their own

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Most do actually contract with a local brewery. And FTR, a recipe is not trademarked or copyrighted just branded.

Even if it were, change just one unsubstantial thing and it's not the same recipe anymore.

But name a brew anything close to a copyrighted product and get buried in court. regardless of actual product similarieties.

 

[GraphBrew]

I asked a bartender at a favorite establishment of mine the same question once...the convo went something like this>

"What exactly is the 'Washington Street Ale'...do you guys make it on sight?"

"Nah dude, it's actually just Sam Adams Pale Ale"

"Oh, I'll take a Troegenator"

 

[Special Hops]

A restaurant in town sells their "own" beer to. But I know from taking to the guys at our local microbrewery it is in-fact their beer. The same as you can buy in bottles in the store.

 

[alcibiades]

Ive noticed this trend as well. I suspect foul play

 

[weirdboy]

I enjoy Kirkland's own brews.

 

[springer]

Red Robin has their "own" Red Robin ale . I watched them change the kegs out one night Bud American Ale

 

[MeatyPortion]

That sucks if certain restaurants are resorting to these tactics in order to gain and secure customers. There are very few establishments I frequent nowadays in part due to tactics such as this. The Essen Haus is just the latest to get my thumb down on its neck.

 

[IrregularPulse]

I had the Smokey Bones one. It was a weak example of an ale. But better than Bud. Probably 1/3 American Ale, 2/3 Budlight.

 

[david_42]

Almost every time I eat out. Of course, I generally eat at brew pubs. Hopworks for Happy Hour Thursday!

 

[dougf]

Interesting. I just find it odd that these guys can tout it as 'their' brew when it isnt, and tastes EXACTLY like Bud! I just hate being lied to!

alcibiades - Im in Williamsburg as well. If you stop by Jungle Jims by the Great Wolf lodge, Try their 'custom' brew, and tell me it isnt Budweiser!

 

[TheManes]

I go to a restaurant/bar called Rosy Tomorrows. They have "Rosy's Ale" on tap. I asked what it was, and the waiter said he was pretty sure it was made by Sam Adams.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

Interesting. I just find it odd that these guys can tout it as 'their' brew when it isnt, and tastes EXACTLY like Bud! I just hate being lied to!

I will wager that the chain has paid, heavily, for that "priveledge".

 

[TheManes]

I just emailed my Sam Adams rep to find out what exactly the deal is. I'll post when he replies....

 

[weirdboy]

Jeez this is just OEM or Private Label manufacturing. It is an extremely common practice for a variety of products, including beer.

I don't see what the big deal is.

 

[MeatyPortion]

Jeez this is just OEM or Private Label manufacturing. It is an extremely common practice for a variety of products, including beer.

I don't see what the big deal is.

It's false advertising, considering that people expect a "own" brew to be that restaurant's own brew.

 

[HorribleCatfish]

I had the Smokey Bones one. It was a weak example of an ale. But better than Bud. Probably 1/3 American Ale, 2/3 Budlight.

The Smokey Bones near me uses Sam Adams Boston Lager as "their" beer.

 

[dougf]

It's false advertising, considering that people expect a "own" brew to be that restaurant's own brew.

Exactly. Exactly.

 

[weirdboy]

It's false advertising, considering that people expect a "own" brew to be that restaurant's own brew.

If they say "brewed by the restaurant" it is false advertising. If they say "the beer is produced just for this restaurant" that is an accurate representation that is being misinterpreted. I would say the phrase "XYZ's own beer" could fall into either category.

 

[brewmonk]

if you are too smart to get fooled, then check the price it should be lower than the others (I hope).
if it isn't then it's pure marketing used to make more profit on special 'boutique' bull sh!t.

if all the other 'bovine-mentality-others' that walk in there don't know the difference, then i'm glad they had a 'special moment'!

screw it, have a beer.

 

[MeatyPortion]

If they say "brewed by the restaurant" it is false advertising. If they say "the beer is produced just for this restaurant" that is an accurate representation that is being misinterpreted. I would say the phrase "XYZ's own beer" could fall into either category.

You make a good point but how many restaurants have you been to where they specify as such? Most that I've seen claim it as the former.

 

[weirdboy]

I have never been to any place that actually claims to brew their own beer, that doesn't brew their own beer.

I have been to many places that sell contract brews marketed under that place's brand, however. But they don't say "we brewed this".

 

[MeatyPortion]

I have never been to any place that actually claims to brew their own beer, that doesn't brew their own beer.

I have been to many places that sell contract brews marketed under that place's brand, however. But they don't say "we brewed this".

Ok, fair enough. House brew is one thing, but to bill a beer as a restaurant's home brew is different and I think that's what the OP is referring to.

 

[dougf]

Ok, fair enough. House brew is one thing, but to bill a beer as a restaurant's home brew is different and I think that's what the OP is referring to.

I guess its a fine line, but when they say "Our own brew" or "Our special brew" It tends to make one think its brewed JUST for that restaurant! Wording shouldnt be the issue here. The issue is they are lying to all of us because they think we are stupid.

 

[MeatyPortion]

I guess its a fine line, but when they say "Our own brew" or "Our special brew" It tends to make one think its brewed JUST for that restaurant! Wording shouldnt be the issue here. The issue is they are lying to all of us because they think we are stupid.

I agree. I'm trying to agree with the devil's advocate side.

 

[DeathBrewer]

wow...this thread sure exploded.

Serving bud and calling it house brew? I would walk out of a restaurant that pulled that sh!t. Of course, I'm very priviledged to live in an area with lots of on-site breweries and contract breweries that are real craftbrew.

When we start the business, we plan to distribute to quite a few restaurants. If some want specialty brews for their establishment, I'm sure we could accomodate. I don't know about selling our brand under their name, tho...at least not at first...we need the exposure.

 

[dougf]

I agree. I'm trying to agree with the devil's advocate side.

I understand I just think its interesting, and want to hear from other peoples perspective on this

 

[TipsyDragon]

while the menu doesn't say they brewed the beer and there for isn't false advertising. i how ever would expect the beer to be at least a beer you cant buy at the local super market or a different chain of restaurants for that matter.

unless the place has brewing equipment on the premises take the claims of "own" with a grain of salt.

 

[Edcculus]

I use this logic when at places that aren't exactly known for their beer selection (Red Robin et al):

1 - food is ok...just typical chain food, nothing more
2 - beer selection is BMC, Import BMC, then Guiness, SA and a larger Regional if you are lucky.
3 - Why the **** would a restaurant like this, who obviously doesn't care much about beer have their own brand (brewed for them, contract brewed or otherwise)? Back away suspiciously and order the Sam Adams.

 

[SwampassJ]

I had the Smokey Bones one. It was a weak example of an ale. But better than Bud. Probably 1/3 American Ale, 2/3 Budlight.

Tasted like Killians to me.