BMC brews

[firerat]

I don't avoid them BMC companies because I think they're evil or anything. I just avoid beer that I don't like.

 

[Gameface]

So there have been several comments that have said they don't like BMCs, or AB InBevs business practices, but what is it about their business practices that are bad? Honest question.

Just because one company produces 80% of the beer on the grocery store shelf it doesn't mean our choices are being limited. Budweiser has been offering a greater selection in response to the demands of the consumer. Plus, there is WAY more variety at my grocery store than there ever has been, and it's getting better all the time. If this is an example of Budweiser keeping the little guy down they are doing a horrible job.

Many act like the only reason anyone drinks Budweiser is because they've been tricked into it. I have news for you guys, some people like it. Those same people often don't like the micro brews we cherish.

If people stopped wanting Budweiser products Budweiser would die, three-tier system, shelf space domination and all.

How easy is it to start a nono airline or an independent TV network? Yet we bitch because every homebrewer with aspirations of going pro can't just get their beer on the grocery store shelf...

 

[kaconga]

So there have been several comments that have said they don't like BMCs, or AB InBevs business practices, but what is it about their business practices that are bad? Honest question.

Just because one company produces 80% of the beer on the grocery store shelf it doesn't mean our choices are being limited. Budweiser has been offering a greater selection in response to the demands of the consumer. Plus, there is WAY more variety at my grocery store than there ever has been, and it's getting better all the time. If this is an example of Budweiser keeping the little guy down they are doing a horrible job.

The Coors 9 pack is a great example. It makes no sense to do a 9 pack other than to eat up shelf space. Space that could otherwise be occupied by some local craft beers. I love the fact that most people dislike hopped up IPAs because it means more for me. I don't love it when a good beer gets the boot so people can buy a 6, 9 or 12 pack of the same beer.

Another example, while older, is killians Irish red. When it was originally produced it was an ale. First thing they did when they bought it out was change it to a lager. The average person probably wouldn't care but we who know the difference should find that sort of thing a little off putting if nothing else. At least in my opinion.

 

[TwoHeart]

All I'm sayin is that I love Ranger IPA.

And I'm glad they aren't owned by Coors... thought I heard they did somewhere, probably after too many rangers.

 

[DrunkleJon]

Just because one company produces 80% of the beer on the grocery store shelf it doesn't mean our choices are being limited. Budweiser has been offering a greater selection in response to the demands of the consumer. Plus, there is WAY more variety at my grocery store than there ever has been, and it's getting better all the time. If this is an example of Budweiser keeping the little guy down they are doing a horrible job.

Many act like the only reason anyone drinks Budweiser is because they've been tricked into it. I have news for you guys, some people like it. Those same people often don't like the micro brews we cherish.

This. Many many times this. As backup to this, look at threads such as the "funny things you have heard about your beer" one. The vast majority of American beer drinkers prefer the light yellow fizzy lagers. Hence the reason the unwashed masses think a beer is super strong if it is dark (Guinness anyone?).

The light macro-lagers still take getting used to for budding beer drinkers. I remember my first couple beers had to be choked down because the taste was not quite for me. Then I had to work my way up to the more craft options, and now am experimenting with the more extreme flavored ones like DIPA's, Sours, RIS, etc.

You all have to admit that the light macro-lagers are well made. That kind of consistancy is amazing and I wish I were able to match it with my brews.

If you do not like the flavor of BMC beers, don't drink them. I will admit to liking a light beer on a hot day. If you have a problem with the (legal) competative business practices, do not support the company, but realize those practices are their right. If you have a problem with a company using sweatshop labor and mistreating employees/committing other atrocities, definitely do not support the company.

All I ask is you respect a company, in a capitalist industry, for trying to make money within the bounds of the law. If you really want to see the state of beer improve, gently introduce your friends and family to different styles of beer and get the market share of other styles up. Do not just trash the big guys, people are entitled to their opinions.

Ok, rant over. Sorry for the long response.

 

[signpost]

All I ask is you respect a company, in a capitalist industry, for trying to make money within the bounds of the law. If you really want to see the state of beer improve, gently introduce your friends and family to different styles of beer and get the market share of other styles up. Do not just trash the big guys, people are entitled to their opinions.

Ok, rant over. Sorry for the long response.

People are entitled to their opinions. And I am entitled to not have any respect for companies that do things I disagree with.

 

[Malty_Dog]

I'll have one of whatever the rat is drinking

Make that two.

 

[Gameface]

People are entitled to their opinions. And I am entitled to not have any respect for companies that do things I disagree with.

Honest question, what is it they do that you don't like?

 

[NewJersey]

The three tier system is bordeline illegal. It faces attacks all the time and many states now allow limited self-distribution by smaller breweries. This is a big win in my book. BMC spend an unreal amount of money on lobbying to keep this competition stifling sytem in place. 3 tier is literally only legal because they use their tremendous size ($$$) to influence lawmakers. this is a perversion of capitalism and democracy.
I dont see how you guys cannot see that AB and MillerCoors splitting distribution for a given area and not allowing anything else isn't stifling competiton. Competition is supposed to be key in a free market economy, right? Under the three tier system you could have a dozen bars that want to buy beer from a local brewery, but are not allowed to because a distributor (basically owned by one of the two BMCs) wont carry it. (thus, not allowing real supply and demand to take place. this is not just "smart business" as many of you are trying to claim) Anyone remember back in the day when we tried Monopoly cases at the federal level. Doesn't happen anymore.
I'm not saying that AB is a monopoly, but they're sure as heck too close for me.
Being a big corporation isn't morally wrong. The shady things their size allows them them to do are. The billion dollar national ad campaigns that trick people into continuing the light lager BS, is depressing.
I've encountered so many BMC drinkers who have never even tried anything other than bud. when offered something else, many actually do like it

 

[GrogNerd]

Honest question, what is it they do that you don't like?

The three tier system is bordeline illegal

I don't like the fact that they obey laws that are, apparently, against the law

 

[the_trout]

I agree with NJ that the 3 tier system is deeply flawed. For me (and we are all entitled to our own opinions) the blame should not be placed upon the manufacturer or the distributor. They are operating within the limits of the law. The blame should go to the legislative bodies that passed, and continue to endorse the laws that put this system in place but that is best addressed in another forum.

 

[Yooper]

keep in mind that our forum rules prohibit getting into political comments, and while this has been fine so far it can easily start to go off track if we let it! Talking about three tier distribution and the business model of a company is fine- just make sure we don't start getting into political comments and things like that. Thanks.

There is a lot of information about InBev online, and their business practices. I think the movie "Beer Wars" covers much of this as well.

 

[Nightshade]

I agree with NJ that the 3 tier system is deeply flawed. For me (and we are all entitled to our own opinions) the blame should not be placed upon the manufacturer or the distributor. They are operating within the limits of the law. The blame should go to the legislative bodies that passed, and continue to endorse the laws that put this system in place. Fundamentally, it is their job to represent the interests of the constituency not the interest of business. It is one of the founding principles of our government that they represent the will of the people. After all the constitution starts with "We the people" not "We the corporations".

I do agree with what you say to a point.

The issue is that the BMC lobby is keeping these books from being repealed through sheer volume of funds, as if buying a blind eye.

I am not advocating leveling the playing field so much as I am more in favor of making sure that no brewery can own the distribution chains and instead distribution has to be an independent company with no affiliation aside from carrying the products from point A to point B. In a perfect world I would say allow standard shipping procedures for any truckable product without having to go through the distributorship, but I know the whole state line thing makes it a federal issue that gets sticky on a state by state basis.

 

[Yooper]

Honest question, what is it they do that you don't like?

And, if this is a genuine question, I will just give a couple of recent links that come from googling "department of justice InBev":
http://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2013/08/01/doj-joins-ab-inbev-fcpa-probe/
http://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/2013/April/13-at-452.html

I stopped buying InBev in 2009, so my boycott goes back far longer than these links, but this is a tiny start on the explanation on why I have not purchased anything from them.

 

[Dylan42]

I got to about page4 of reading everything, and everyone's opinions are not only passionate but very interesting to read. I watched the beer documentary on netflix and it too was very interesting and just so happens to be on this very topic (I forget the title).

I personally don't really care either way I will drink what tastes good to me, which is most often from local breweries here that most on this forum have never heard of. Plus I like supporting the local small companies in my area too.
I honestly am happy as long as the stores in my area continue to stock the craft brew I like.

 

[Jeremy_N]

Ironically, the dissatisfaction with the lack of consumer choice has led to such an awesome hobby/obsession for me. If I could buy interesting beers and try new beers easily and for a reasonable price, I probably wouldn't have jumped into homebrewing. In that respect, I'm okay with BMC. I will drink them often, not because I love the taste but I do like to hang out for more than 6 beers. Plus, having them in stock at my house helps keep my friends from smashing all my homebrews. That said, I don't think there is anything wrong whatever side of the fence you are on.

 

[NewJersey]

I don't like the fact that they obey laws that are, apparently, against the law

are you being intentionally thick or what?
you've never seen laws that are later changed or reversed? you can't see how what they're doing is just plain wrong?