Starbucks to experiment with beer?

[fishkid]

That's how the story goes,

"So for now, the lone test store will serve a half-dozen kinds of beer and wine, ranging in price from $4 to $7."

I'll Take a Venti Beer, Please | NBC New York

Does anyone else foresee the most expensive mocha porter ever?


Curt

 

[arturo7]

If the beer they serve is as crappy as their coffee...

 

[marubozo]

Will their beer taste burnt?

 

[ohiobrewtus]

I don't see this ending well at all.

 

[Baldy_Beer_Brewery]

I wouldn't be so worried about Starbucks cocking this up. It is the imitators. Can you imagine what McDonalds would serve up?

 

[giligson]

I wouldn't be so worried about Starbucks cocking this up. It is the imitators. Can you imagine what McDonalds would serve up?

I was in Paris about a decade ago and being a poor student stopped into McDonalds for lunch -- the combo meal included a beer at the same price as a Coke: I think it was a standard BMC type beer.

 

[harrydrez]

I was in Paris about a decade ago and being a poor student stopped into McDonalds for lunch -- the combo meal included a beer at the same price as a Coke: I think it was a standard BMC type beer.

I was going to say, I think they also sell beer in the movies.

 

[samc]

Redhook used to use & promote Starbucks coffee in the Double Black Stout. Now when they sell it, it just says coffee.

 

[MBasile]

ugh, I'm going to have to start leaving for work A LOT earlier, now I'll need to factor in time to sober up

 

[voegeli51]

If the beer they serve is as crappy as their coffee...

I agree, I get WAYYY better coffee at a local Coffee shop that roast their own beans. I actually used the local shops coffee when I brewed my Raspberry Mocha Stout and it was excellent. However, I used Starbucks with when I did an Irish Coffee Stout and the beer had a burnt flavor from their coffee, that's why you should support local!!:rockin:

 

[Whiskey]

In Germany (no shock there) you can order a beer at McDonalds. When I was last there it was Eku Pilsner.

 

[menschmaschine]

The taste of their coffee aside, I think this is a great idea. This will turn Starbucks into a Euro-style café. I can dig that, but it remains to be seen if America as a whole can dig it. They would also have issues in some states/municipalities with getting liquor licenses (Pennsylvania, for example). This will go one of two ways... it will either save them or hurt them even worse.

 

[thelorax121]

At least they aren't trying to make the beer they sell. This way they can just price gouge with other companies' products

 

[SmugMug]

I was going to say, I think they also sell beer in the movies.

We have a movie theater that serves beer and full meals (for a fairly steep price). The food is good, but the beer is at best mediocre. But for the price you pay, you get over-sized leather seats in the balcony with LOTS of legroom and no one under 21. Not having the annoying teeny boppers anywhere near you is almost worth the extra money in itself.

 

[gator_brewer]

I don't see this working. I can't really think of people that would choose to go to Starbuck to get a BMC (do you really think they would do good beer?) rather then a bar where it's 1/2 the price. Might work with wine though...

In the long run, I feel the laws for liquor lisences and such are going to stop this before it gets going.

 

[mithion]

Caffeine and alcohol, that's a nice buzz...

 

[Synovia]

I don't see this working. I can't really think of people that would choose to go to Starbuck to get a BMC (do you really think they would do good beer?) rather then a bar where it's 1/2 the price. Might work with wine though...

In the long run, I feel the laws for liquor lisences and such are going to stop this before it gets going.

Not to mention that a huge percentage of Starbucks' business is walk in/out customers. Most of them only have a dozen seats or so, and you can't serve beer in a to-go cup in the US.

 

[jpc]

I am not a fan of Starbucks, but this is the last straw-- they are attempting to pass themselves off as a "mom & pop" business by changing the name. I don't care if they sell beer... their coffee is so-so at best, and most of the time they over-roast the beans so that any subtlety is gone. Ugh!

I always figured that the Pacific Northwest beers are over-hopped because the same people start their day by drinking Starbucks charcoal-flavored coffee, and their taste buds are shot. Then need so many hops to overcome this.

 

[thedigitale]

I've always found it incredible that no one will admit that they like Starbucks, but yet they're the biggest chain coffee store in the country. I personally don't like their regular coffee, but every so often I want a cup of what the wife calls "candy coffee".

Starbucks might be looking for a more grassroots feel for these new stores, and if so, they may stock local craft beers. If they do, it could be a huge benefit to the brewers having a tough time with distribution.

I say go for it Starbucks. If you stock BMC, it's one more place I won't go for a beer and no skin off my back, but if you stock good craft beer... I might swing by and have a brew.

 

[mattmcl]

No one likes them, but they are EVERYWHERE. Take the free shuttle on the pedestrian mall in Denver- EVERY SINGLE stop except two have a Starbuck's at them. That's almost every city block.

 

[MBasile]

I've always found it incredible that no one will admit that they like Starbucks, but yet they're the biggest chain coffee store in the country. I personally don't like their regular coffee, but every so often I want a cup of what the wife calls "candy coffee".

Starbucks might be looking for a more grassroots feel for these new stores, and if so, they may stock local craft beers. If they do, it could be a huge benefit to the brewers having a tough time with distribution.

I say go for it Starbucks. If you stock BMC, it's one more place I won't go for a beer and no skin off my back, but if you stock good craft beer... I might swing by and have a brew.

I like starbuck's coffee.

 

[davesrose]

Starbucks might be looking for a more grassroots feel for these new stores, and if so, they may stock local craft beers. If they do, it could be a huge benefit to the brewers having a tough time with distribution.

I think the distribution laws and special requirements a large chain like Starbucks has would be one reason they won't specialize in local craft beer. Some of the bigger microbreweries that have a national presence might be the likely candidates: Sam Adams, Rogue, Stone, Dogfish.....since interviews I've seen of the CEO always make him seem as though he's concerned with having a consistant national franchise, I'm thinking it might be a big contract for a larger microbrewery.

As for the actual concept...seems like a no brainer for me. There's a local coffee shop near me that roasts their own beans, also offers a winebar, and has a selection of specialty beers. Serves everyone, and can have a better excuse for charging more for a drink.

 

[jds]

That's how the story goes,

"So for now, the lone test store will serve a half-dozen kinds of beer and wine, ranging in price from $4 to $7."

I'll Take a Venti Beer, Please | NBC New York

Does anyone else foresee the most expensive mocha porter ever?


Curt

"I'll have a double-tall three pump porter frappe with an IPA float."

Oy vey. No thanks. Next thing you know, some beerista will be making smiley faces in the foam.

 

[davesrose]

Oy vey. No thanks. Next thing you know, some beerista will be making smiley faces in the foam.

I wouldn't mind a smiley face on a nice creamy Guinness if the beerista wasn't rushed through a proper pour. Oh, this is the real world: aint going to happen

 

[MBasile]

Are you going to have to be 21 to enter the establishment? Because if every Starbucks was no longer filled with high schoolers that'd be awesome!

 

[yeoldebrewer]

Unless they turn the beer into some kind of uber-sweet dessert drink, it probably won't fly.

 

[lehr]

I like the look on their face when I use crazy terms like small medium or large.

Pat

 

[jeansberg]

How can anyone think this would be a bad thing? I doubt BMC will be the only choice (if they will even carry it). Starbucks might not focus on really premium beers, but I bet some of the stuff they choose to serve will get more people interested in beer culture and spread awareness.

Beer might become "hip" with the Starbucks whippersnappers, which might increase demand for non-BMC beer in younger age groups.

 

[yeoldebrewer]

jeansberg, you have a point there.

 

[chefmike]

And perhaps... just maybe... it could be a small step in shuffling this country to a more accepting (perhaps enlightened) attitude toward the responsible consumption of alcohol.

Less puritanical fear and more focus on people evidencing the ability to consume a tasty beverage in a responsible manner. Where ever they are.

ok... off the soapbox, going to feed my daughter breakfast (drinking tea, not beer )