Anheuser Busch and their deceptive marketing

[Revvy]

People by Bud because they are told to, much like millions of other non beer mass marketed products..

I always love this argument. People don't part with their hard earned money because they're told to, I sure as hell don't. People spend their money on what they WANT to, it's that simple. There's no one holding a gun to anyone's head. Be it a hand crafted product or "mass marketed product." It ultimately comes down to what the person wants.

That's what beersnobs can't seem to grasp, or are unwilling admit. People buy BMC because it fits the niche about what most people want to consume on a regular basis. They want a thirst quenching, not too filling, and not too complex, or bitter, or hoppy or whatever. They want a quaffer.

There has been a steady increase in the amount of alternatives to that style since about 1984, going from one of two beers in high end stores, to craft beers having a prominent niche in even the biggest of big box stores, and yet, the majority of people STILL choose those beers. It's that simple.

BMC doesn't really care WHAT style of beer the world drinks predominance, ONLY that the beer they make is at the top of the list. Like many of us have said, if Double IPAs were what the majority of folks wanted, then BMC would be the top double IPA brewer in the world, because they know how to make and sell beer. And the typical beersnob would be complaining and slamming double ipas. Or if Stone were at the top of the heap folks would be complaining about them.

It's economics 101...the CONSUMER dictates what it wants to spend it's money on, and business scrambles to be the top of the chain of providing that.

The biggest thing is that folks seem to have glommed on to some notion that the craft brewer is some how "pure" and anyone making money is somehow "evil." Even the craft breweries that have some how managed to be successful, get snobbed, I mean snubbed by some folks as well. There's some almost naive notion, and I think it has to do with how people becomes zealots when introduced to something new, be it craft beer or religion, to put whatever it is on a pedestal, that they are somehow more "noble" or something than anyone else. That somehow they're more "pure," than the established. Then when you realize that even the little guy is in it for the money, and does "business" just like the big guys and maybe even becomes a "big guy" then they've sold out or gone commercial or something.

Like Yuri pointed out, we don't get really amped up because the bakery industry or the automotive industry or the shoe industry does exactly the same thing- which is simply exercise their right to capitalism, trying to make money, and be number 1.....But for some reason we don't allow breweries to do the same thing every other industry does...compete or make money.

 

[GrogNerd]

I like Randy Mosher's definition of craft beer in America, from Radical Brewing:

If a homebrewer (current or former) gets to decide what the beer tastes like, it's craft beer

that defines it better and more succinctly than the BA's convoluted, long-winded "craft vs crafty" definition

the brewers at AB/InBev can make craft beer, Bud Light just ain't one of them.

I would try one of their Project 12 beers, if offered.

I laugh like a loon at the Rage Against the Machine types.

 

[Cathedral]

In fact I've been trying to find the Budweiser Brew Masters series that we've been talking about in other threads, and I JUST CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE.....I can find any craft, imported and micro beer that are distributed in my state, especially those brewed in Michigan easier than I can find the Budweiser product.

Skip on down to Toledo. We have it in Kroger. I've yet to try it, but I've seen it. Not a high quantity, though, so they might be rotating out.

And for the record, to anyone who cares, the biggest problem I have with BMC is not the company or even the beers, but their target demographic and advertising campaign. "Hey sporty collegey jock dude, why enjoy a beer when you can just get drunk on ours?" But w/e. More craft left over for me.

 

[Johnnyhitch1]

If i love something for what it is why is that my problem that you dont like it? Your looking at this "AB crap" all wrong. Like others have said, AB reported a LOSS last year and craft sales have risen to over 10%. How there taking over makes no sense. They control the market because of there size, wait for DFH, Stone, Sierra, Rogue to get that big and see how sales are effected.
Stop being so ignorant and realize that your idealistic mind is not what controls others actions.

Do you go to the deli and order the same sandwich? Why, because you enjoy it and know it tastes amazing. Dont knock others for eating the liverwurst

 

[Hogarthe]

I don't see how the big conglomerates buying the smaller brewers and then selling their beer nationwide hurts craft beer. if they keep the recipes the same, at any rate. There have been some where they have bought them then changed the recipe and turned it into another mass market light lager. But in recent years I have seen that less often. mostly they just buy the brand then sell it in more stores. yes, they do this solely to make money and not for any type of benevolence and wanting to spread beer harmony to all, but they are after all, a corporation. all corporations are trying to increase sales. Back in the 60's the big brewers bought up all the small ones and then got rid of them completely, and just used the brewery they bought to make more of thier own product. at least that isn't happening now. maybe who you should be mad at is the small brewer that gets bought. if they had refused to sell, then BMC wouldn't own them. of course then a lot of them would have gone out of business because they don't have the selling power of a huge company.
and as has been pointed out, being the biggest brewery doesn't make you immune to getting bought either. Look at Anhieser Bush and Miller. If they were so in control of the beer market and were so evilly buying everyone else to then ruin them, how did they get bought? its all a business, and it has nothing to do with evil. Just what makes money.

 

[Stevo2569]

I always love this argument. People don't part with their hard earned money because they're told to, I sure as hell don't. People spend their money on what they WANT to, it's that simple. There's no one holding a gun to anyone's head. Be it a hand crafted product or "mass marketed product." It ultimately comes down to what the person wants.

That's what beersnobs can't seem to grasp, or are unwilling admit. People buy BMC because it fits the niche about what most people want to consume on a regular basis. They want a thirst quenching, not too filling, and not too complex, or bitter, or hoppy or whatever. They want a quaffer.

There has been a steady increase in the amount of alternatives to that style since about 1984, going from one of two beers in high end stores, to craft beers having a prominent niche in even the biggest of big box stores, and yet, the majority of people STILL choose those beers. It's that simple.

BMC doesn't really care WHAT style of beer the world drinks predominance, ONLY that the beer they make is at the top of the list. Like many of us have said, if Double IPAs were what the majority of folks wanted, then BMC would be the top double IPA brewer in the world, because they know how to make and sell beer. And the typical beersnob would be complaining and slamming double ipas. Or if Stone were at the top of the heap folks would be complaining about them.

It's economics 101...the CONSUMER dictates what it wants to spend it's money on, and business scrambles to be the top of the chain of providing that.

The biggest thing is that folks seem to have glommed on to some notion that the craft brewer is some how "pure" and anyone making money is somehow "evil." Even the craft breweries that have some how managed to be successful, get snobbed, I mean snubbed by some folks as well. There's some almost naive notion, and I think it has to do with how people becomes zealots when introduced to something new, be it craft beer or religion, to put whatever it is on a pedestal, that they are somehow more "noble" or something than anyone else. That somehow they're more "pure," than the established. Then when you realize that even the little guy is in it for the money, and does "business" just like the big guys and maybe even becomes a "big guy" then they've sold out or gone commercial or something.

Like Yuri pointed out, we don't get really amped up because the bakery industry or the automotive industry or the shoe industry does exactly the same thing- which is simply exercise their right to capitalism, trying to make money, and be number 1.....But for some reason we don't allow breweries to do the same thing every other industry does...compete or make money.

You missed the point. Being "told to" definitely plays a big role in buying habits. If rogue and stone were on every other commercial and every other BIL board there would definitely be more of it being bought. You mention Nike. Perfect example. You think people buy Nike cause there better shoes? No they buy them because of their mass marketing. Labraun James wears them so they must be good. I'm not a beer snob at all and enjoy light lagers. But don't tell us that people but BMC cause they searched out and found the product they like. Taste has nothing to do with it. Lack there of yes.

 

[Varmintman]

Stevo

At least in the market I am in I rarely see a ad for BMC yet over and over all I get are micro ads for Sam Adams and such.

The only BMC that I had that tasted bad was a coors that I found as a kid swimming in the canal. Who knows how long it had been floating but typical kids we drank it. Man that thing was nasty and we had to go and swipe a couple of beers from my buddies dad to get the flavor out of our mouths.

Grand Teton Brewing is a micro not far from here that for the most part their beers are just great. Good group of guys who are always willing to help me out with yeast and such but when I needed a ton of bottles for my first batch they charged me for them. Yup greedy b@asterds are in it just for the money and I do not blame them.

 

[jmtwo]

You missed the point. Being "told to" definitely plays a big role in buying habits. If rogue and stone were on every other commercial and every other BIL board there would definitely be more of it being bought. You mention Nike. Perfect example. You think people buy Nike cause there better shoes? No they buy them because of their mass marketing. Labraun James wears them so they must be good. I'm not a beer snob at all and enjoy light lagers. But don't tell us that people but BMC cause they searched out and found the product they like. Taste has nothing to do with it. Lack there of yes.

Actually I buy Nike, because in general I like their style better than UA, Puma, etc. And yes, on average I do think they are a better product.

Not everyone you think is a sheeple actually is!

 

[jmtwo]

So instead of destroying this a-hole and embarrassing him in front of everyone, i just threw up my hand and walked away.

More likely, you saved yourself from looking like the a-hole.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

You missed the point. Being "told to" definitely plays a big role in buying habits. If rogue and stone were on every other commercial and every other BIL board there would definitely be more of it being bought. You mention Nike. Perfect example. You think people buy Nike cause there better shoes? No they buy them because of their mass marketing. Labraun James wears them so they must be good. I'm not a beer snob at all and enjoy light lagers. But don't tell us that people but BMC cause they searched out and found the product they like. Taste has nothing to do with it. Lack there of yes.

It does, but I don't usually buy nikes either. I sometimes buy them, but in general I wear vibrams for 90% of what I wear.

 

[pnj]

I'm still curious how long the OP has been a craft drinker and what his drinking habits were before.

And I fully agree with whomever said something about BMC helping to bridge the gap from cheap beer to quality beer.

 

[whoaru99]

So it may seem like i'm being a d!ck to BMC, but i don't care about Canada or Belgium's profit, and certainly not for a substandard product.

So all the workers at the plants in the US are flown to and from their home countries before and after each shift?

 

[whoaru99]

Well to say that Bud makes what people want is true but by spending millions on ads to help dictate "What people want" kinda construes the argument. People by Bud because they are told to, much like millions of other non beer mass marketed products.

These ads aren't targeted at the typical microbrew drinker beer snob, they're targeted at the Coors Light drinker to sway them to the Bud Light side.

 

[brewingmeister]

So all the workers at the plants in the US are flown to and from their home countries before and after each shift?

Yes, for a scab jet fuel is cheap especially if you take in to account the savings in not paying union dues.

 

[ron,ar]

I drink and like Miller Genuine Draft in a can, mostly because I drink most beer when at the beach in Texas. We cannot have glass containers there at all so that rules out my homebrew which I bottle. I also make and drink homebrew almost everyday. I love the hobby and it has taught me an appreciation for beer that I didn't have before.
I agree with others, the OP fails to realize that the craft beer movement has forced BMC to make some changes and offer different tastes and a "better" product. Their other tasteless products are still their bread and butter but they have had to step back and take a look at the market. Market share always drives the product, causing them to, in essence, take an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude. The more people who buy and enjoy even their version of craft brew, the more people who see that beer can actually have flavor other that the weak stuff we have come to expect from BMC. It's a no lose situation for the beer drinkers in the USA.

 

[Darwin18]

Just because you don't like a company or their particular product isn't an excuse to be a dick to the sales guy in the beverage store. It is one thing to be knowledgeable about beer and the multitude of styles out there, but you're coming across as pretentious and condescending and that's what I hate most about the self-described "beer connoisseurs". No one is forcing people to drink BMC products and while some of their business practices are not exactly ethical, they're also not doing anything illegal.

 

[whoaru99]

Yes, for a scab jet fuel is cheap especially if you take in to account the savings in not paying union dues.

Well, some help that union is then, eh?

 

[Zamial]

I have read/posted up to many of these threads and I feel like I am beating a dead horse at this point.

I hate BMC and 1/2-BMC products. I refuse to buy or drink ANY of it, even if it is free. It has nothing to do with any movie, HBT members, how it tastes or ANYTHING that was told to me. I am big boy and can make up my own opinions without any outside influence. What I do not get is the D-bag attitude towards people that do like BMC.

Why try to seem above people? A simple "No thank you." or "I do not like that." is more than sufficient. I understand that this is a beer topic on a beer forum which is why I can be more vocal and outspoken here about the topic but to actually be a D-bag about it to other people is silly and makes you look bad. I openly avoid discussing my views on BMC off these boards, unless I am really forced to explain myself. I have LOTS of friends that drink BMC and offer me some. Some of these friends really do not like ANY craft beer or homebrew and I still offer to them out of civility and I view an offer by them on the same level.

 

[TyTanium]

Drink what you like, brew what you like, don't be a tool

 

[brewingmeister]

I have read/posted up to many of these threads and I feel like I am beating a dead horse at this point.

How could we really put this horse to good use? Temp control, Han Solo style?

Hmm. Maybe we should just steal the horse's kegs and cut them up, all the while talking smack about how crappy the horse was.

 

[Hogarthe]

More likely, you saved yourself from looking like the a-hole.

+1 being a rep, he most likely had an answer for anything, and he's probably heard everything already.

 

[Varmintman]

I really could care less what the OP thinks about BMC beers. I am thinking though that his closed minded attitude towards others who do drink it is something I would not like to be around.

Every Friday night a group of 5 or 6 of us get together for beer and cigar night. Out of everyone only one person does not like home brew and drinks bud light only. I think that is great and when I brewed a Christmas porter to give to my friends along with a loaf of home made bread I stopped and got him some Bud instead of my home brew.

I also wonder what the OP does when ever he cannot take bottles somewhere. I ride a sled and 4 wheeler and brother let me tell you a case of bottles is just to dang heavy in a backpack.

There is a time and place for everything beer related at least in my book and rare is the night I turn up my nose at a beer be it home brew or store bought.

 

[alane1]

So all the workers at the plants in the US are flown to and from their home countries before and after each shift?

No, just the companies profits.

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

I also wonder what the OP does when ever he cannot take bottles somewhere. I ride a sled and 4 wheeler and brother let me tell you a case of bottles is just to dang heavy in a backpack.

There is a time and place for everything beer related at least in my book and rare is the night I turn up my nose at a beer be it home brew or store bought.

Is this a serious quandary? Oskar Blues, Brooklyn, Sierra, 21st Amendment, New Belgium and many more make craft beer available in cans.

I agree there are times and places for various beers, but I almost never drink BMC. Yuenging is my cheap beer.

 

[Varmintman]

Is this a serious quandary? Oskar Blues, Brooklyn, Sierra, 21st Amendment, New Belgium and many more make craft beer available in cans.

I agree there are times and places for various beers, but I almost never drink BMC. Yuenging is my cheap beer.

Well heck I had no idea. I have not bought beer for a long time and when I did buy beer for riding it stuck with Bush beer. I guess I need to have a look at the beer isle again

 

[hoppyhoppyhippo]

Well heck I had no idea. I have not bought beer for a long time and when I did buy beer for riding it stuck with Bush beer. I guess I need to have a look at the beer isle again

Canning is the future of craft beer. Because there's basically no chance of oxidation.

 

[brewingmeister]

Don't forget ska brewing, I believe they only can their brew.

 

[urbanmyth]

At the end of the day, it is just beer.

 

[Varmintman]

Canning is the future of craft beer. Because there's basically no chance of oxidation.

I would love to can my homebrew but I think it is still out of range for me as a homebrewer. I have seen though that the canning machine is not so bad anymore it is just having to buy a semi full of cans up front that makes it hard

 

[SteveHeff]

There was an episode of Southpark where a large coffee chain was overtaking small coffee shops. Towards the end of the episode, a character takes a drink from the coffee conglomerate's cup and he says "wow, actually this IS a really good cup of coffee," I'm not saying that I prefer BMC over craft however, those companies didn't get so big because they produce a product that people don't want. I'm constantly coming into contact with people who only like "light" beers and don't enjoy what I make. I'm not upset at this, but it's what they prefer. As long as I don't have to drink it all the time, I'm fine with it.