Beer Boycott

[Houblon]

There is obviously a market for it. A massively under informed market, but a market nonetheless.

They make the market with with their ads, "Good marketing could sell a drowning man a glass of water" .


That said I don't drink any BMC beers ever, Bigfoot & Hopslam are the only usa beers I buy/drink with all other beers being homebrew or Belgian/French- most 99.999% bought in Europe.

So I already have been boycotting BMC for yrs

 

[Homercidal]

I can't remember the last time I bought a BMC beer. Not that all of it is bad. I prefer to purchase "local" beers, like Founders, Bells, New Holland, Arcadia, etc. And some US craft beers or foreign beers that look interesting.

I'd probably not turn down a BMC beer if it was offered by a host, but I would probably be disappointed in it when I got it. There are plenty of light beer styles that still have some flavor.

As far as boycotting, I think that if you don't feel the urge to buy their beer, then don't. Just buy what you like. I am lucky to live in a state with many excellent breweries and our local gas stations and grocery stores are now starting to stock craft beer in decent amounts.

 

[hal2814]

Ok guys, it's not a boycott if you're not giving up something. If you wouldn't buy it anyway, you're not boycotting. And what about folks like Red Hook? Do you have to avoid them? Or maybe you only drink 3/4 the bottle because Coors owns the other 1/4?

As one of the few unabashed lovers of BMC on this board (especially Coors, Coors Light, and MGD), I like the way they taste. There are some interesting things going on in a Coors even if they don't toss some hops and doorknobs into a potato sack and beat you in the face with it. MGD isn't as interesting in my opinion but it is one of the few mass-produced Amercian lagers that taste good at warmer temps so for outdoor barbecues it's a nice beer. And IMHO, Coors Light is a solid session beer at a very reasonable price.

You don't have to agree with other people's likes and dislikes but to believe that people are brainwashed into liking the beer they like is just silly. Marketing focuses attention and is persuasive but it doesn't make crap magically good. Despite what your marketing department believes, there are plenty of products that received massive levels of marketing and have still failed. How many Zima commercials did we endure? Where is that product now? What happened to all those "Dry" beers? Where is Coors Cutter right now? Even if trying a product is the result of marketing, liking it is not.

 

[the_bird]

While the movie showed some dirty tricks by BMC, especially with shelf space, the fact is, there's over 1,500 breweries in the U.S. now, the highest total in 100 years. Something's working right...

I may just be really lucky, but the package stores I go to tend to have at LEAST as much cooler space dedicated to craft brews as they do to BMC. Even the small local stores, it's just about 50/50 - plus, they always have stuff like the Belgians and the other "fancy" beers on the regular shelves. There's a couple places I go, where it's probably 3-1 in favor of craft/micro brew space in the cooler.

I have no doubt they still SELL more BMC, but they're just restocking those shelves more often; the actual shelf space war, I don't think they're winning around here.

 

[lunchbox]

Hmm. If everyone boycotted BMC, then the micros would get too huge and you have to boycott THEM, cause they'd get too big. Just drink what you want.

It's not the fact that they are a large company, it's the business model.

For example, they lobby the government to keep strict distributing laws that prevent smaller companies from getting their beers on the shelf.

 

[abracadabra]

All major corporations lobby the government for a competive advantage it's just a fact of life and the way the country is set up. A corporate entity has the same right to petition the government as anyone else. If that presents a problem for you then you should petition your representive to change the laws.

As far as excepting a headache inducing BMC product from a host when attending a party, any invitee should arrive at a party with a host or hostess gift. Mine is good beer and I make sure there is plenty for me to enjoy too!

In the case of a wedding or something where a hostess gift is not in order I'll drink water or a soft drink if there's no decent beer. But I refuse to take on a massive headache so people won't think I'm a snob. Let em think what they will.

 

[rwinzing]

I will join the boycot (only since I don't drink them anyways)

 

[smackythefrog]

Mark Levinson Audio rebadges $150 phillips electronics, and sells them for $5000+. Some of our craft guys aren't making any more quality beer than the big 3.

Sorry. I shouldn't have clumped all the companies together not knowing a whole lot about Mark Levinson. But the same still stands true. Drink what you like. If a craft brewery puts out a beer that isn't what I like then I'm not going to buy it no matter what it costs and if the BMC somehow pulls an amazing beer out of their nether regions I'd happily partake. I just don't see the big deal. Go hug a tree, it''ll have a bigger effect on the planet than boycotting a BMC.

 

[brewagentjay]

Sorry I can't join the boycott.....I drink what I like and really if you think back to what you grew up with or started with then I'm sure alot of us have fond memories of good american classics. I mean how many good weekend do you recall drinking good ole "Beast" or "Natties ICE" because it was cheap and easy to get........

I still like some of their beers, I enjoyed a nice Mickies Amber Bock last night after I polished off a 6er of sw 420. I guess I'm alone here but I get cravings for different beers from time to time....

Hell, drinking games with coors light paid for my weekends while in the service.

 

[lunchbox]

All major corporations lobby the government for a competive advantage it's just a fact of life and the way the country is set up. A corporate entity has the same right to petition the government as anyone else. If that presents a problem for you then you should petition your representive to change the laws.

Unfortunately, the richest usually get their way. What the government is doing is IMHO nothing short of bribery. If you can take that and say "oh well, you don't like it YOU can try to bribe them"... well I guess we can end this conversation.

 

[Synovia]

...Drink what you like. ....

Completely agree with this. My issue is with all the people who think everything Macro is crap, and everything Micro is gold just because its micro. Its indy syndrome. There are a lot of terrible microbrews out there.

 

[Synovia]

Unfortunately, the richest usually get their way. What the government is doing is IMHO nothing short of bribery. If you can take that and say "oh well, you don't like it YOU can try to bribe them"... well I guess we can end this conversation.

That's capitalism. Most people seem to think completely free trade (which includes rigging the game to favor yourself) is a good thing.


(I'm not sure I agree, btw)

 

[springer]

Pepsi and Coke do the same thing with marketing,distribution and shelf space. Why not boycott them? Ooooh ya not many of make our own sodas . I will drink a Miller or a Coors product without shame at times they fit the activity. I don't like Bud so I don't drink it.

 

[BrewRI]

I was 20 minutes into that movie when I read the thread. I'm holding off brewing until I can start kegging, but I see what your gettin at. I'm milking the last of my bottles for as long as I can, then I'll be back to buying commercial.

 

[lunchbox]

That's capitalism. Most people seem to think completely free trade (which includes rigging the game to favor yourself) is a good thing.


(I'm not sure I agree, btw)

No offense, but that's not free trade. Free trade does NOT include rigging the game. Unfortunately, that the bastardized free trade that we now enjoy here in America.

 

[Synovia]

No offense, but that's not free trade. Free trade does NOT include rigging the game. Unfortunately, that the bastardized free trade that we now enjoy here in America.

Free trade, IE, unfettered capitalism, involves those most fit to do business making the most money. Investing in tuning the business environment to your better is most certainly within the confines of capitalism.


What people prefer to call "free trade" isn't really free trade at all. Free Trade has no rules. We don't want actual free trade.


You can't hate monopolies and talk about "true capitalism". Monopolies are ALWAYS the end product of unfettered capitalism.

 

[humann_brewing]

I think you may be bringing this up to the wrong crowd. It is far too easy for use to boycott BMC. I haven't purchased a BMC product or any of its other brands in several years, I also don't buy boxed mac 'n cheese anymore. My taste buds have changed.

 

[abracadabra]

Unfortunately, the richest usually get their way. What the government is doing is IMHO nothing short of bribery. If you can take that and say "oh well, you don't like it YOU can try to bribe them"... well I guess we can end this conversation.

Call it what you will in our system it's officially called a contribution.

And I'm not saying "oh well" I am saying if you don't like it DO something to change it. If you don't have money you may have time. There is some contribution anyone and everyone can make to effect change even if it is only to vote.

But in our current system a corporation is simply an entity comprised of people organized to make money. And anyone can lobby for legislation they deem desirable or against what they consider harmful. It's as easy to write your congressman as it is to post on this site.

I wrote the governor of my fair state and asked him to veto a bill passed by the Georgia legislature. And he did! Was it on the force of my agrument alone, I seriouly doubt it. But I may have contributed in some small way in effectively blocking a harmful bill from becoming law.

 

[lunchbox]

Free trade, IE, unfettered capitalism, involves those most fit to do business making the most money. Investing in tuning the business environment to your better is most certainly within the confines of capitalism.


What people prefer to call "free trade" isn't really free trade at all. Free Trade has no rules. We don't want actual free trade.


You can't hate monopolies and talk about "true capitalism". Monopolies are ALWAYS the end product of unfettered capitalism.

Who is "we"? I sure hope you aren't lumping me in that category.

 

[gunner65]

If that movie twists your knickers then watch these:

King Corn
Food Inc.

I was pissed and sick after food Inc.

 

[lunchbox]

Call it what you will in our system it's officially called a contribution.

And I'm not saying "oh well" I am saying if you don't like it DO something to change it. If you don't have money you may have time. There is some contribution anyone and everyone can make to effect change even if it is only to vote.

But in our current system a corporation is simply an entity comprised of people organized to make money. And anyone can lobby for legislation they deem desirable or against what they consider harmful. It's as easy to write your congressman as it is to post on this site.

I wrote the governor of my fair state and asked him to veto a bill passed by the Georgia legislature. And he did! Was it on the force of my agrument alone, I seriouly doubt it. But I may have contributed in some small way in effectively blocking a harmful bill from becoming law.

Hmm... a letter from me, or millions of dollars from big business...

I guess you simply have more faith in politicians than I do.

 

[Synovia]

Who is "we"? I sure hope you aren't lumping me in that category.

Pretty much everyone but big business. In real free trade, there's no anti-monopoly laws. There's no unions. There's no workers rights.

 

[brewagentjay]

Pepsi and Coke do the same thing with marketing,distribution and shelf space. Why not boycott them? Ooooh ya not many of make our own sodas . I will drink a Miller or a Coors product without shame at times they fit the activity. I don't like Bud so I don't drink it.

I don't like Miller so I don't drink it. Good call. Oh Love the avatar.:rockin:

 

[Cinci-Brewing]

Everyone is right, just about all the Big brewers here in the states are no longer American owned. If I'm on a budget, I'll get Miller Lite, but when i have the money to spend, you will find me drinking Guinness or some craft beer.

I'm drinking an Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Co. and i dont think i could drink a better beer!. Next, I'll pour a pint glass on Great Lakes Brewing Co., Edmund Fitzgerald. Does it get any better then porters and stouts?

 

[MVKTR2]

If that movie twists your knickers then watch these:

King Corn
Food Inc.

I was pissed and sick after food Inc.

I'll add, watch the movie Fresh. It's a fantastic discussion of where agriculture is in this country.

As for the OP. I would give up drinking bier before drinking anything made by Anheuser Busch. Never again unless by accident will AB products cross my lips. I do purchase stuff that they have a stock in/distribute such as Redhook but may eventually stop that practice. I find AB to be a morally bankrupt company, I can not in good conscious support them or other similarly immoral corporations.

I also read somewhere that someone stated that not all craft bier is good and not all macro beer is bad. In general I agree with this, certainly on the microbrewery side. Many micros simply can't make good bier, and many have to make marginally decent biers to stay in the black. For example our bier culture in Misisipi is non-existant. Our only microbrewery, Lazy Magnolia, contracted their offerings close to 3 years ago paring it down to 5 biers in an attempt to bottle their full line-up. In doing so they like any good business kept 5 of the 6 top sellers. They eliminated what I and most bier enthusiast think were 3 of their top biers Amberjack, Par 3, and Blue Heron and wound up keeping some of their more bland offerings. Yet I still support them as they are making some decent bier and fighting to change bier culture in this miserable bier state.

Schlante,
Phillip

 

[lunchbox]

Pretty much everyone but big business. In real free trade, there's no anti-monopoly laws. There's no unions. There's no workers rights.

Unions do not equal workers rights.

 

[Bru]

South African Breweries has become a monster. Now SABMiller, they own Pilsner Urquell, Gambrinus, Grolsch etc etc.
SAB has killed virtually all forms of competition in South Africa. We have Namibian Breweries and a couple of others but not many can compete with the might of SABMiller.
Lately a couple of micros have sprung up but my fear is as soon as they start doing well they will be pressured out.

An example of how they do this is - they pay for pub fridges, bar counters etc on condition the bar only sells their products. Same for the liquor stores.
Unfortunately, to most people, SABMiller beers represents good beer and there is no appreciation for anything else.

Of Hansa "Pilsener" a well known beer critic said : "this beer has virtually no flavour, which, for a South African beer is somewhat of a moral victory."

A boycott of anything SAB is a good call. Trouble is they're so big and powerfull it wouldn't help.

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

All I remember from the early 80's in Cape Town was Castle, Lion, or Hansa.......Luckily, SA has a LOT of excellent wine in the Cape province.

I drank one hell of a lot of wine in my time there.

 

[smmcdermott]

American companies? Miller/Coors/AB?

South African/Canadian/Belgian?

I understand that they still employ some folks in the US, and generally give a pretty decent wage though...

Wow, I can't believe it took to the 13th post for someone to point this out.

I would boycot this, but when a keg of bud light costs $100 just imagine what a keg of something good costs. I don't have the time to brew enough beer to throw a party with, and dont have the money to buy the good stuff. BUT it gets me drunk, so it works.

 

[McKBrew]

Going back to my post. If you are true to your boycott, make sure you research every beer brand that BMC owns a part of.

I'm willing to bet it's going to knock out many of your favorite craft/micros.