Northern Brewer Replacement

[jensek]

You guys are right, I'm sure if ABInbev was able to control the entire beer market (both supply and sales), we would still have just as many options and the same amount of creativity as we currently have. After all when big beer controlled everything 30-40-50 years ago, the options were limitless. And lets face it, controlling the market IS their ultimate goal, not saying it'll happen but they will sure try hard to reach that goal, destroying any who get in their way.

Appreciate the sarcasm, but the lack of choices in the past had more to do with government regulations, consumer preference, and barriers of entry for competitors. I think AB-Inbev has proven they’ll make anything (Think Bud-Light Clamato) to make a buck…

 

[WaltStarr]

The last 3 letters of my post were JMO, which means "just my opinion". But let's cut to the chase.....you seem to have a problem with corporate America. Do you have a 401 or IRA account?

Like I said, I'll keep buying from NB until they move across the pond. You buy where ever you like. This is my final comment as this horse has been beat to death. JMO

And now you build a strawman based upon your ability to read my mind.

LEt's cut to the chase. You have no idea what is in my mind, and never will. I have never said I have a problem with "corporate America" (whatever the hell that's supposed to be). I have problems with specific policies of some organizations. I act on that by refusing to do business with those entities.

 

[WaltStarr]

Appreciate the sarcasm, but the lack of choices in the past had more to do with government regulations, consumer preference, and barriers of entry for competitors. I think AB-Inbev has proven they’ll make anything (Think Bud-Light Clamato) to make a buck…

The big beer companies worked for decades after prohibition to ensure that homebrewing would remain illegal. If big beer could turn back the clock and make homebrewing illegal again by buying the right politicians, they would most certainly do it.

And remember, it took homebrewing being legal to bring about the craft beer revolution.

 

[Murphys_Law]

Their attempt to control supply? They will treat grains/hop and other raw materials much like how Walmart treats it's suppliers. They will be able to command the lowest price due to volume and impact. If they complete their goal, they will put every other LHBS out of business and be the sole supplier. How can people not see this? I guess it will be good for people whose only concern is saving money, it will be bad for those who enjoy the culture we currently enjoy. A culture that exists despite ABInbev's presence not because of it. They will quash it given the opportunity. The articles contention that ABInbev also wants to influence future brewmasters who oft come from a homebrewing background seems a bit farfetched, but rest assured there is a long-term, nefarious plan with this acquisition. A plan that does not include fostering the wonderful community that we all love.

I think its a stretch to think that a company that owns 6% of a market can put anyone out of business. And its ironic as hell that people buy from NB because they're cheaper than the local but are now going all chicken little because AB wants to put that same local out of business. Want to keep culture and locals open? Buy from them.

The market will go where the demand takes it. AB has marketed against craft for years but demand is strong and that market grew. With all their might they couldn't beat the craft beer growth so they decided to spend and spend mightily to join it.

So now they enter a market with combined revenue smaller than what they have paid for a single craft brewery and are going to take over the world one bag of grain at a time?

 

[dallasdb]

Their attempt to control supply? They will treat grains/hop and other raw materials much like how Walmart treats it's suppliers. They will be able to command the lowest price due to volume and impact. If they complete their goal, they will put every other LHBS out of business and be the sole supplier. How can people not see this?

Please quote the part of the article where you are getting this from. I'm starting to think we are reading two different stories.

As far as an attempt to control supply... please refer to this quote from the article, "Northern Brewer is estimated to generate some $50 million in annual sales, meaning that at a little more than 6% of the industry total, the industry remains highly fragmented."

AB should have also invested in tin foil... there's going to be a shortage with all the hats being made.

 

[jensek]

The big beer companies worked for decades after prohibition to ensure that homebrewing would remain illegal. If big beer could turn back the clock and make homebrewing illegal again by buying the right politicians, they would most certainly do it.

And remember, it took homebrewing being legal to bring about the craft beer revolution.

That's what I meant by saying "government regulations". People need to understand that businesses do not want competition. They would prefer to be the only game in town. That is why it is important to vote for politicians that believe in keeping regulations and barriers to entry in the beer market low.

 

[ericbw]

And now you build a strawman based upon your ability to read my mind.



LEt's cut to the chase. You have no idea what is in my mind, and never will. I have never said I have a problem with "corporate America" (whatever the hell that's supposed to be). I have problems with specific policies of some organizations. I act on that by refusing to do business with those entities.

You've made it clear that you don't like big business. It's not reading your mind.

 

[WaltStarr]

You've made it clear that you don't like big business. It's not reading your mind.

Quote me where I stated I don't like big business, then.

I don't like AB InBev. I refuse to do business with them.

I don't like WalMart. I refuse to do business with them.

Those are specific organizations with business practices I disagree with, not some catch all "big business" (whatever the hell that is supposed to be) that you keep putting in my mouth.

 

[ericbw]

Quote me where I stated I don't like big business, then.

I don't like AB InBev. I refuse to do business with them.

I don't like WalMart. I refuse to do business with them.

Those are specific organizations with business practices I disagree with, not some catch all "big business" (whatever the hell that is supposed to be) that you keep putting in my mouth.

I stand corrected. You decide who you'll do business with based on their political leanings (whatever the hell that means). Sorry for putting words in your mouth.

I think there is a pretty clear divide between those who think drinking AB/InBev products is a moral choice and those who don't.

 

[Toga]

This thread has gotten a bit off topic. We all know many don't like the acquisition and why, or are for it and why. There is a separate thread to project your feelings and thoughts on that topic..https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=592174......

The topic for this thread is: Norther Brewer replacement!

Please post replacement vendors and why you would recommend the replacement vendor.

http://homebrewing.org Is the one I would recommend. Good customer service. Excellent prices. Great proprietary equipment. Excellent pricing for shipping especially if you are in the great lakes region. As a bonus they have a pretty good rewards system.

 

[dallasdb]

This thread has gotten a bit off topic. We all know many don't like the acquisition and why, or are for it and why. There is a separate thread to project your feelings and thoughts on that topic..https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=592174......

The topic for this thread is: Norther Brewer replacement!

The first 10-15 pages are pretty on topic and cover most NB replacements.

The threads gone too far now... there's no bringing it back from .

 

[SanduskyRiver]

Home Brew Ohio

 

[WaltStarr]

I stand corrected. You decide who you'll do business with based on their political leanings (whatever the hell that means). Sorry for putting words in your mouth.

I think there is a pretty clear divide between those who think drinking AB/InBev products is a moral choice and those who don't.

And you yet again build up a strawman.

My dislike of both WalMart AND AB InBev has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with their business practices.

I think it's pretty clear, you have no clue what I believe, so you just make it up as you go along.

 

[jcav]

After reading through this thread I just bought some stock in Alcoa. Gonna make a killing as they make aluminum foil. Thanks for the tip guys. Then I will have bukoo coin to buy brewing supplies from whoever survives this "debacle of things to come". As for me I will continue to buy from the store that is about an hour from me and from Morebeer, and other venders from this forum that offer good prices, fast shipping, and great customer service!

John

 

[MidAtlanticBrew]

OMG, you guys are making me panic, the latest rumor is InBev/AB is trying to buy up all the oxygen. How are we going to oxygenate our wort??? ..... or even breathe ...... Also heard the next buy is Trojan is next, after a few beers with your love, you need condoms

 

[ericbw]

And you yet again build up a strawman.



My dislike of both WalMart AND AB InBev has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with their business practices.



I think it's pretty clear, you have no clue what I believe, so you just make it up as you go along.

Please go read post #116 where you say "politics" and talk about a CEO that uses his company to promote his" political leanings."

When I was mistaken, I acknowledged it. But I'm only trying to read your words, and it says politics. I think that was about home depot.

 

[Brownalemikie]

And you yet again build up a strawman.

My dislike of both WalMart AND AB InBev has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with their business practices.

I think it's pretty clear, you have no clue what I believe, so you just make it up as you go along.

Even though I said I'm done commenting, my curiosity got the best of me. You stated earlier that you had political reasons for not buying from certain companies.....NOW you say it's not political. If it's not political, please explain what "business practices" influence your buying habits. Inquiring minds want to know. Again, JMO.

 

[WaltStarr]

Please go read post #116 where you say "politics" and talk about a CEO that uses his company to promote his" political leanings."

When I was mistaken, I acknowledged it. But I'm only trying to read your words, and it says politics. I think that was about home depot.

That was about another specific organization, Home Depot, and had precisely nothing to do with WalMart and AB InBev, so again, you just made stuff up and tried to apply one statement about a specific organization to some nebulous "corporate America" (whatever the hell that is).

Here's another for you. I refuse to hire one local plumbing company because they put a fish symbol on their company sign and I refuse to do business with an organization that feels like they have to wear religion like a coat.

I also refuse to do business with Linksys due to bad customer service experiences after Cisco bought them out, yet in my professional capacity I have literally done millions of dollars of business with Cisco because of the Customer Service they deliver for their business class gear.

Go figure, I choose to not do business with many and varied organizations for many and varied reasons, just as is my right and just like millions of other people.

 

[ericbw]

That was about another specific organization, Home Depot, and had precisely nothing to do with WalMart and AB InBev, so again, you just made stuff up and tried to apply one statement about a specific organization to some nebulous "corporate America" (whatever the hell that is).

Here's another for you. I refuse to hire one local plumbing company because they put a fish symbol on their company sign and I refuse to do business with an organization that feels like they have to wear religion like a coat.

I also refuse to do business with Linksys due to bad customer service experiences after Cisco bought them out, yet in my professional capacity I have literally done millions of dollars of business with Cisco because of the Customer Service they deliver for their business class gear.

Go figure, I choose to not do business with many and varied organizations for many and varied reasons, just as is my right and just like millions of other people.

Your list of companies is very small, according to one post. Now it's many and varied. You're saying a bunch of different things. And then you say everyone is making a straw man.

 

[hunter_le five]

I'm a straw man.

 

[WaltStarr]

Your list of companies is very small, according to one post. Now it's many and varied. You're saying a bunch of different things. And then you say everyone is making a straw man.

Compared to the list of companies I will do business with, it is small. I have plenty of companies to choose from if any company pisses me off for any reason.

 

[Murphys_Law]

I'm a straw man.

Goo goo g'joob

 

[hunter_le five]

Goo goo g'joob

Aw damn. Knocked down again.

Hate it when that happens.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AI3_w4NBvWg[/ame]

#it'sokaytolaughcauseitwasn'tmadebybudweiser

 

[z-bob]

I stopped by Northern Brewer's store in St Paul on Saturday. I didn't see anything different from a year ago, other than a couple of new products.

 

[Sir-Brews-Alot]

What about the little evil man in the corner counting gold coins? He wasn't there before.

So to sum up: Some people will continue to use NB/Midwest Supplies and some will not. I don't think anybody here will convince the other side to change their minds.

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

I stopped by Northern Brewer's store in St Paul on Saturday. I didn't see anything different from a year ago, other than a couple of new products.

You have to read the superfine print under the signature line of every receipt.

"By signing this document I agree to sell my soul to our belgian overlords."

 

[TexasDroughtBrewery]

I stopped by Northern Brewer's store in St Paul on Saturday. I didn't see anything different from a year ago, other than a couple of new products.

Translation, it looks the same except now you can buy bud light.

 

[z-bob]

Translation, it looks the same except now you can buy bud light.

Well, yeah But as long as you don't *have* to buy it, isn't that a plus?

 

[MaryB]

NB is going to be the cheapest shipping on bulk grains for me, hops I went to 1 pound bags from Yakima because I like having a stash to work with and they were half the price and shipping was cheap(light weight). So yes they will still get my bulk grain purchases, and liquid yeast(1 day in shipping so it doesn't get to hot). I have 99% of the equipment I need so not much to buy... other than finding a kettle thermometer that holds up. I have had 2 fermenters favorites go sproing and not read right and I am not over heating it because the handle on the valve below it is not melting the plastic.