Idiot beer snobs-

[jdlev]

Found Beer Wars on Hulu

 

[Daparish]

I agree. However, there are some good points raised in "Beer Wars." I'm not saying it's great by any means, in fact I think it's kind of dull as a whole, but the bit about advertising is spot on.

Any Marketing professor will tell you, advertising has a HUGE measurable impact on the consumer market: there is no question about this; not even debatable. Why do think companies spend billions of dollars every year doing it? Just to waste money? Certainly not.

Saying that advertising "makes" someone buy beer is incorrect, however advertising instills the idea of buying that beer without question. And when the huge beer corporations have a bankroll that dwarfs the pocket of the little guy, guess who's going to be doing most of the advertising and instilling those ideas?

I thought the bit about beer placement on grocery store shelves and exactly who determines which beers go where was very interesting as well. Now when I go to my local grocer, I'm cognizant of what is where. I also think that the practice talked about in Beer Wars has been largely discontinued over the past few years.

 

[wildwest450]

Also I hate the fact that people like that associate themselves with homebrewers and beer lovers. Makes us all look like we're fanatical anti big beer companies. Not everyone things InBev is the evil empire. I dont set at home and draw x's over the Busch family's pictures and throw darts at them but I do love beer. Don't want the homebrewer and microbrewery community labled that way.

Do you ever read any threads on this site? It's very fashionable to bash "bmc".
I can find hundreds of posts proclaiming that "my beer is better than...".


_

 

[Willum]

I remember Farenheit 9/11 coming out and seeing that and I pretty much knew, I knew that 9/11 was an inside job and the government did it. There was no way you could convince me other wise.

I assume you also believe in UFOs, Santa Claus, and Bigfoot as well.

 

[nefarious_1_]

I assume you also believe in UFOs, Santa Claus, and Bigfoot as well.

Now, now, let's not go taking things out of context...

Do you ever read any threads on this site? It's very fashionable to bash "bmc".
I can find hundreds of posts proclaiming that "my beer is better than...".


_

I completely agree. When I was first reading that quote, I was thinking to myself, "Ah, you mean like half the threads on here?" haha

 

[nefarious_1_]

.

 

[Willum]

Now, now, let's not go taking things out of context...

Context aside, I am floored that anyone would take something that Michael Moore put out as anything other then pure fiction. Even for a second.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

I also think that the practice talked about in Beer Wars has been largely discontinued over the past few years.

Not here in the twin cities. The other day I was painstakingly deciding what six pack to grab while two miller-coors reps were busy rearranging store displays, discussing where to put what beers of theirs next to what micros (seemingly based on package color and design). They placed 12 packs of miller lite lime? In the fridge next to SN and NB products because they fit with the green of Pale Ale and Ranger..... Even tho the miller lime had it's own shelf down the aisle with other MC brews..... Advertising and brand recognition are KEY in ANY business, big or small. The big guys just have more weight to throw around.

 

[olllllo]

I thought the bit about beer placement on grocery store shelves and exactly who determines which beers go where was very interesting as well. Now when I go to my local grocer, I'm cognizant of what is where. I also think that the practice talked about in Beer Wars has been largely discontinued over the past few years.

The practice continues. It's more insidious than you think.

 

[Willum]

Do you ever read any threads on this site? It's very fashionable to bash "bmc".
I can find hundreds of posts proclaiming that "my beer is better than...".


_

I don't hate on BMC ever. The only beer I would drink for years was Bud Light. I don't drink it anymore, but if it was the only beer at a party I would drink it. I also like Blue Moon a great deal, so being a hater would make me a hypocrite. Also, I have yet to taste a homebrew that accurately clones Budweiser. So if by better they mean different then okay sure; However, if they mean I made this beer in exactly the same way and mine is better. I am not so sure.

 

[Ace_Club]

I don't hate on BMC ever. The only beer I would drink for years was Bud Light. I don't drink it anymore, but if it was the only beer at a party I would drink it. I also like Blue Moon a great deal, so being a hater would make me a hypocrite. Also, I have yet to taste a homebrew that accurately clones Budweiser. So if by better they mean different then okay sure; However, if they mean I made this beer in exactly the same way and mine is better. I am not so sure.

That's the exact problem with their statements. They are never (as far as I've seen) comparing a clone. Rather they are comparing their IIIIIIIIIIIIIPA or Chocolate Imperial Stout to a BMC and stating it's better. Ridiculous really.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Context aside, I am floored that anyone would take something that Michael Moore put out as anything other then pure fiction. Even for a second.

C'mon, everyone has a right to believe in whatever..... It doesn't take away the fact that the macros are trying to ensure a large portion of beer drinkers pay them for beer. Whether it's buying up small breweries, advertising, lobbying gov't, buying all the distributors, they're doing it. You don't have to believe in Santa to believe that.

 

[Ace_Club]

C'mon, everyone has a right to believe in whatever..... It doesn't take away the fact that the macros are trying to ensure a large protium of beer drinkers pay them for beer. Whether it's buying up small breweries, advertising, lobbying, they're doing it. You don't have to believe in Santa to believe that.

That's true of any business. Even the micros want more and more people buying their beer. The macros have just been doing it for much longer and have been really successful at it. Doesn't mean that their beer is crap or that they are evil.

 

[Daparish]

Not here in the twin cities. The other day I was painstakingly deciding what six pack to grab while two miller-coors reps were busy rearranging store displays, discussing where to put what beers of theirs next to what micros (seemingly based on package color and design). They placed 12 packs of miller lite lime? In the fridge next to SN and NB products because they fit with the green of Pale Ale and Ranger..... Even tho the miller lime had it's own shelf down the aisle with other MC brews..... Advertising and brand recognition are KEY in ANY business, big or small. The big guys just have more weight to throw around.

How, really? Here in Tennessee (a state with some of the strangest beer laws around) most stores seem to have two separate sections; one for the BMC and their brood and one for the smaller breweries. These sections are usually separated by the "make your own sixpack" sections that have loose bottles in shelves. I'll pay more attention next time I go though.

 

[Willum]

C'mon, everyone has a right to believe in whatever..... It doesn't take away the fact that the macros are trying to ensure a large portion of beer drinkers pay them for beer. Whether it's buying up small breweries, advertising, lobbying gov't, buying all the distributors, they're doing it. You don't have to believe in Santa to believe that.

Agreed, my statement may have been a bit harsh. I just cannot stand Michael Moore. Also I cannot believe that anyone takes him seriously. All politics aside the guy is a nut job.

 

[Tinga]

my view is that when a company goes public it is no longer legal for that company to be about the beer. the company has a legal obligation to their investors best interests. That interest of course is making money. In turn this legal obligation leads to dumb marketing and gimmicks that drives consumer demand... somehow. These gimmicks and cuts in production quality for the sake of a margin make the majority of beer drinkers lose sight of what real beer really is. Now in my opinion that's bad so I vote with my dollars for craft brewing. Other people don't care so they vote with their dollars to buy what they want. They don't care about craft beer so why would they pay more? I personally would like them too so I try my best to politely nudge them in my direction but I can't change everyone I would like to. By politely nudge I mean whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

How, really? Here in Tennessee (a state with some of the strangest beer laws around) most stores seem to have two separate sections; one for the BMC and their brood and one for the smaller breweries. These sections are usually separated by the "make your own sixpack" sections that have loose bottles in shelves. I'll pay more attention next time I go though.

Look up how many of those 'micros' are AB-INBEV. Also, every state is different, the stores I bought beer in in tx were the way you described. Here in Mpls, you get a section for macros, one for micros, but the macros are also slipped in there with the micros. Lie the suction cup container of bud American ale? next to the summit products. A one spot facing, but it's right there next to EPA.

 

[Ace_Club]

my view is that when a company goes public it is no longer legal for that company to be about the beer. the company has a legal obligation to their investors best interests. That interest of course is making money. In turn this legal obligation leads to dumb marketing and gimmicks that drives consumer demand... somehow. These gimmicks and cuts in production quality for the sake of a margin make the majority of beer drinkers lose sight of what real beer really is. Now in my opinion that's bad so I vote with my dollars for craft brewing. Other people don't care so they vote with their dollars to buy what they want. They don't care about craft beer so why would they pay more? I personally would like them too so I try my best to politely nudge them in my direction but I can't change everyone I would like to. By politely nudge I mean whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

So BMC or any public company doesn't make real beer anymore? Seems a bit harsh and short-sighted. That's like saying over-hopped beers aren't real beer because they focus too much on one ingredient, or that they are just trying gimmicks of adding more and more hops to drive demand among the hop-heads.

Bottom line is that BMC is real beer. Malt, hops, water and yeast.

A better argument would be that people lose sight of other styles of beer since the vast majority of the beers brewed by BMC is in a narrow style.

 

[bluemoose]

By politely nudge I mean whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

See you Saturday then? I will need a lot of nudging.

 

[motobrewer]

my view is that when a company goes public it is no longer legal for that company to be about the beer. the company has a legal obligation to their investors best interests. That interest of course is making money. In turn this legal obligation leads to dumb marketing and gimmicks that drives consumer demand... somehow. These gimmicks and cuts in production quality for the sake of a margin make the majority of beer drinkers lose sight of what real beer really is. Now in my opinion that's bad so I vote with my dollars for craft brewing. Other people don't care so they vote with their dollars to buy what they want. They don't care about craft beer so why would they pay more? I personally would like them too so I try my best to politely nudge them in my direction but I can't change everyone I would like to. By politely nudge I mean whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

uh, what? just because a company "goes public" doesn't mean it has a "legal obligation to make money"

if you had a brewery that focused on making good beer, going public doesn't change your mission statement. if you're looking to buy that stock and expect profit above quality....go somewhere else.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

That's true of any business. Even the micros want more and more people buying their beer. The macros have just been doing it for much longer and have been really successful at it. Doesn't mean that their beer is crap or that they are evil.

Not at all. Miller lite and keith stone are regulars in our fridge. Cheap, quaffable beer for hot summer days.

 

[thegerm]

uh, what? just because a company "goes public" doesn't mean it has a "legal obligation to make money"

if you had a brewery that focused on making good beer, going public doesn't change your mission statement. if you're looking to buy that stock and expect profit above quality....go somewhere else.

sure it does. that's in the charter of all for profit public corporations. you don't put that in your mission statement because it's inherent in your existence as a public corp. that doesn't mean that fulfilling your top priority of providing value to shareholders necessarily conflicts with the goal of making quality beer. It may, however.

 

[TomHanx]

Do you ever read any threads on this site? It's very fashionable to bash "bmc".
I can find hundreds of posts proclaiming that "my beer is better than...".


_

yes it is. the typical hombrewtalk member mantra:
-IPA is God
-Pumpkin spice ale is Jesus
-InBev Satan

 

[Revvy]

I personally would like them too so I try my best to politely nudge them in my direction but I can't change everyone I would like to. By politely nudge I mean whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

This is exactly the kinda beer snob I hate. Who made you in charge of what people should or shouldn't drink?

It's not your job to convert them.

People like what they like. If they like Bud Light, that's their ****ing perogative.

My thing about all this is....The craft beer industry has existed since right around the time I turned 21, about 24 years ago...at least that's when I first noticed there were OTHER beers around besides BMC....there was snpa, and bell's and sam adams starting to pop up in a few stores in Metro Detroit at that time, as well as imports like Guiness, Bredore's and Double Diamond (from England- the first non bmc bottled beer I ever bought)...This stuff was first in my awareness in the mid to late 80's....

In fact when I was underaged I had my first taste of bud, spat it out and made my decision that beer sucked...and drank other things in the interum, mostly wine, and bourbon...in fact the first legal drink I ever bought was a bottle of calvados. Yet, since I loved to read, I always heard about beers like guiness, and other things...so I kept hearing that there was "good beer" out there.

Then I turned 21 and shortly after, like I said above, I began to see these OTHER beers around in bars and better beer/wine stores around my college campus. Plus the first micro brewery was in a resteraunt near campus as well.

I think my first non BMC beer I tried in a bar, was a guiness....And, as much as I think little of it NOW, it was a soul changing moment...I truly found out that there was something better than a budlight out there.

The point being..There has been alternative to BMC somewhat readily available since probably 1985...and more and more everyday.

Despite bmc's control over distribution craft, or imported beer has managed to be available to one degree or another for a lond time.

And now with commercials for Sam Adams, and even a show about dogfish head on one of the most popular cable channels...it really is NOT invisible anymore...if it ever was...And I don't believe it ever was.

Just like it was my choice to explore the world of beer for 24 years, it has been other folks choice to make Budlight the best selling beer on the planet, despite the fact that personally it makes me want to puke. Craft beers make other folks want to puke...It's just the way it is.

It's not AHB's "fault" that their product is the top seller...Nor is it totally a vast conspiracy to manipulate the marketplace as some of us beer snobs want to convince ourselves (though it does go on to a greater or lesser extent) But it's NOT the main...

The main reason is that more folks like those safe, (flavorless to me) light lager style of beer.

And despite a 10% loss of sales over time...it's still going to be the top seller in the market place...

Why? Because the majority of folks choose it over the vast array of other products out there. It simply reflects the relatively safe tastes of human beings...especially the american populace.

Most people are afraid to try new things...so their horizens or limited...but there's also going to be folks, who DO try craft beers....and go back to BMC...because that's what they prefer....there's nothing wrong with them...it's just their choice....

Just like it is our choice to like the alternatives...that's just the way it is.

 

[NordeastBrewer77]

Yay Revvy!!! Well put man!

 

[seabass07]

The day that I bring home a case of coors lite because it seemed so much more appealing sitting next to a 6er lagunitas is the day I buy into the evil empire mentality of bmc.

They are no different than other corporate giants, but that's not why I don't drink their beer. It's not because it's horrible, it's because I don't like that style of beer. If rogue came out with a light lager similar to coors lite, I still wouldn't drink it.

IMO, if you think bmc is evil, then you have to hate ALL of the big companies in the food industry. Pepsi, Coke, Frito Lay, Nabisco etc...

 

[Laughing_Gnome_Invisible]

whenever I go to the house of people that drink BMC I try to leave a couple bottles of something I think they would enjoy from a smaller brewer.

This is exactly the kinda beer snob I hate. Who made you in charge of what people should or shouldn't drink?

Jeebus Revvy!! Why so easy to hate on someone simply leaving beer at someone's house? I wish I had a beer fairy!!

 

[Ace_Club]

Jeebus Revvy!! Why so easy to hate on someone simply leaving beer at someone's house? I wish I had a beer fairy!!

Here you go!

 

[IffyG]

How, really? Here in Tennessee (a state with some of the strangest beer laws around) most stores seem to have two separate sections; one for the BMC and their brood and one for the smaller breweries. These sections are usually separated by the "make your own sixpack" sections that have loose bottles in shelves. I'll pay more attention next time I go though.

I don't believe any of that has to deal with the beer/liquor laws. The problem is you can't sell anything higher than 6.5% (IIRC) where you sell food. It can only be sold in 'liquor stores' and the liquor stores cannot have anything without alcohol (no mixers, no food, no candy). I wasn't aware of this for about a year after I moved here and couldn't figure out why I wasn't able to find any good IIPAs where they sold beer.

 

[scrambledegg81]

Going back to OP's original statement about how BMC can't force him to drink their p!ss-water:

OP-did you ever see BMC commercials on TV as a kid? See their ads in the paper or at the store? BMC Billboards while on the road? Brand imprinting, son--and it's been proven to work. Ask a child psychologist. :>