TOPIC:

When a medium brewery such as Leffe, Hoegaarden or Spaten-Franziskaner are bought by a giant multinational (such as InBev) the reaction from the beer world is generally shock, horror and occasionally outrage. This is understandable, we worry about smaller breweries finding it harder to compete and getting squeezed (I'm not certain this is borne out by experience though) and we also worry about the quality of the beer diminishing (probably at least a bit of truth in this)

The fact is that InBev have several good beers in their portfolio and when Leffe can be bought in every second Spar, when Spaten offers an alternative to Guinness in the boozer near my parents' house and when I can sip a pint of Hoegaarden on a Summers day, I sometimes think globalition has a bright side.

Am I missing the point?

The problem is there ideology they up production, increases fermentor size which event has effect upon the produce. Look at rochefort they got in new conical fementors but will only half fill them because of the effect.

They not bad beer it’s just they have move for been unique/craft beers to good commercials

"oblivious":318n0gz1 wrote: The problem is there ideology they up production, increases fermentor size which event has effect upon the produce. Look at rochefort they got in new conical fementors but will only half fill them because of the effect.

They not bad beer it’s just they have move for been unique/craft beers to good commercials[/quote:318n0gz1]
I'm not denying that quality decreases but increased availability is surely a good thing. I just think it's fact that's seldom recognised.

I whole-heartedly agree that increased choice is inherently a good thing [i:1zp7sd7c]regardless of the quality of the beer on offer[/i:1zp7sd7c] as it helps to break down unthinking brand loyalty. I'm very glad that InBev Ireland are making themselves felt in Irish pubs, even if it's only with Beck's Vier and Stella which I never drink (though I did taste Beck's Vier yesterday for the first time: pretty dull). Draught Spaten sounds very promising, mind. I also like that Heineken are pushing Paulaner out to more places as well. Like Hoegaarden, it's one I will actually drink if I'm in the pub and in the mood.

Consolidation of the industry is bad; but big breweries distributing more beers is good.

I wonder is the Irish draught lager market ready to break somewhere. It seems to me there are just too many lager taps in pubs. Even with the associated colossal advertising budgets, it can't be sustainable, can it?

"TheBeerNut":ybnmi1f8 wrote: I whole-heartedly agree that increased choice is inherently a good thing [i:ybnmi1f8]regardless of the quality of the beer on offer[/i:ybnmi1f8] as it helps to break down unthinking brand loyalty. I'm very glad that InBev Ireland are making themselves felt in Irish pubs, even if it's only with Beck's Vier and Stella which I never drink (though I did taste Beck's Vier yesterday for the first time: pretty dull). Draught Spaten sounds very promising, mind. I also like that Heineken are pushing Paulaner out to more places as well. Like Hoegaarden, it's one I will actually drink if I'm in the pub and in the mood.

Consolidation of the industry is bad; but big breweries distributing more beers is good.

I wonder is the Irish draught lager market ready to break somewhere. It seems to me there are just too many lager taps in pubs. Even with the associated colossal advertising budgets, it can't be sustainable, can it?[/quote:ybnmi1f8]
Draught Spaten? Interesting.

The draught lager market is incredible. It reminds me of reading No Logo a few years ago. It was basically saying that a consequence of globalisation is companies giving the illusions of choice while simultaniously reducing choice. That appears to be a classic example. It's not unusual for a pub to carry Bud, Miller, Carlsberg, Heineken, Stella Artois, Amstel and Coors. Seven taps of what is essentially the same product.

I have respect for the sort of boozer that carries three taps:Bud, Smithwicks and Guinness. I'm not at all fond of Budweiser or Smithwicks but I think that type of pub gives the consumer just as much choice as anywhere else without the pretentions you find elsewhere.

"Wobbler":1whd0pgd wrote: Draught Spaten? Interesting.[/quote:1whd0pgd]Sorry, that's a misinterpretation of your point above about Spaten instead of Guinness. No draught Spaten to see here folks, move along. Pay no attention to the tap under the bar towel...

"Wobbler":1whd0pgd wrote: I have respect for the sort of boozer that carries three taps:Bud, Smithwicks and Guinness.[/quote:1whd0pgd]Most of those tend to be tied bars: theatres and the like.