tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post3640292660936623302..comments2024-03-29T05:58:25.823-04:00Comments on Seen Through a Glass: Too much work, not enough blogLew Brysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-46177709797945332492011-09-23T20:21:08.119-04:002011-09-23T20:21:08.119-04:00Indeed, it appears that craft beer is undergoing a...Indeed, it appears that craft beer is undergoing a revolution. I saw this article a little while back:<br /><br />http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-04-02/news/ct-biz-0403-craft-beers-20110402_1_brewers-association-craft-beer-beer-sales<br /><br />Also, mega-breweries recognize the explosion of craft and are doing their best to capitalize on it:<br /><br />http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-07-12/business/ct-biz-0712-bf-millercoors-20110712_1_eyes-growth-beer-marketer-s-insights-beer-distributorsJustinhttp://justinsbrewreview.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-76034814379757170982011-09-20T10:55:35.823-04:002011-09-20T10:55:35.823-04:00I really like simple glasses: willibeckers, smooth...I really like simple glasses: willibeckers, smooth stoneware mugs. The dimple glasses look good, but I find them awkward to lift and hold (I have big hands). The handles are usually too small for more than two fingers, and the bowl is too wide for a stein grip.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-48790884485963735572011-09-20T10:40:18.444-04:002011-09-20T10:40:18.444-04:00Looking forward to it -- don't know why it int...Looking forward to it -- don't know why it intrigues me. Guess I've always liked the heft and feel of shakers. Then again, i like stoneware, and those old dimpled mugs and goblets.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634642987617262810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-61127042377439062582011-09-18T17:56:22.015-04:002011-09-18T17:56:22.015-04:00It's my next Ale Street News column.It's my next Ale Street News column.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-76992193768552304842011-09-18T15:29:34.871-04:002011-09-18T15:29:34.871-04:00So, where's the shaker pint story going to be ...So, where's the shaker pint story going to be published?Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03634642987617262810noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-24083755768711700482011-09-15T20:41:03.999-04:002011-09-15T20:41:03.999-04:00Ummm...yeah.Ummm...yeah.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-43636427641906708932011-09-15T20:11:51.813-04:002011-09-15T20:11:51.813-04:00Bud,Miller,Coors and to a greater extent Bud did n...Bud,Miller,Coors and to a greater extent Bud did not become the worlds most famous beer based on quality of its products.Many of the craft beer know it alls disregard these brands as bland and piss in a can.Must have taken 100 years to turn run of the mill Budweiser into the King of Beers.<br />Bud,Millecoors spend large amounts of money on there wholesalers to make them feel special.If you are the favored ones you will be able to pick and choose what craft you want to sell or not,and if that does not work buy the whole company and bring them into wholesalers list of beers. F.X.Matt and who can ever not mention the Great Lion brewery who never met a new Beer they could brew for many of the finest outlets in the area.Craft Beer 10% of 2% of what these guys throw away each year or give out for samples very good chance this will happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-88150933101985320322011-09-15T16:10:40.647-04:002011-09-15T16:10:40.647-04:00Didn't we just have that, Al? You ought to try...Didn't we just have that, Al? You ought to try watching the news, man.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-24851387549447412662011-09-15T16:04:04.272-04:002011-09-15T16:04:04.272-04:00alright lew run with that lets re-vist in three ye...alright lew run with that lets re-vist in three years of 10+ unemplyment and rising rates and prices.AL Luccioninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-11560957746131943142011-09-15T15:42:21.498-04:002011-09-15T15:42:21.498-04:00Hey, Al "Premium is dead because I saw store ...Hey, Al "Premium is dead because I saw store brands are growing" Luccioni, check the latest from IRI on spirits sales:<br /><br />"Growth in the 52 weeks to September 4 was even faster on a dollar basis (+2.9%). <b>Irish whiskey (+24.1%), imported vodka (+14.9%), single malt Scotch (+10.6%) and Cognac (+9.3%)</b> made solid progress in the period, while the <b>downturns for blended Scotch (-5.9%) and non-Cognac brandy (-3.3%)</b> continued. Spirits in the <b>super-premium-and-above tier</b> (at least $15 a bottle in food/drug stores), <b>surged 7.2% by volume</b> in the latest 52-week period, outperforming spirits priced below $15 (+1.4% by volume)."<br /><br />And we've already seen that craft beer continues to outperform the general beer niche. 'Kay?Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-19477037718577541092011-09-15T12:05:03.733-04:002011-09-15T12:05:03.733-04:00this was a big focus last year but sort of seems t...this was a big focus last year but sort of seems to have fallen off in 2011 but with the economic date coming out about the US consumer (highest poverty rates in 50 years) I would not expect this to see this go away. <br /><br />http://www.privatelabelmag.com/news-read-na.cfm?article=922<br />http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?art_aid=122044&fa=Articles.showArticle<br />http://www.nacsonline.com/NACS/News/Daily/Pages%20Archive/ND0210104.aspxjpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-19489904726949717152011-09-15T11:41:24.548-04:002011-09-15T11:41:24.548-04:00Those eastern brewing company beers were QUALITY b...Those eastern brewing company beers were QUALITY beverages no matter if they were supermarket brands, contracts or purchased labels. yum. and at a great price too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-9092028482723835392011-09-15T11:35:57.748-04:002011-09-15T11:35:57.748-04:00True, happens all the time. And if it doesn't ...True, happens all the time. And if it doesn't happen with vodka...I'm a monkey.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-86622589503613366302011-09-15T11:34:55.268-04:002011-09-15T11:34:55.268-04:00Yeah, well, beer is beer who cares if it is made t...Yeah, well, beer is beer who cares if it is made to order or rebranded, if the price is right and the beer is good.<br /><br />I used to work at a pretzel place and the bags were filled with pretzels and stuck with $2.59 for the name brand (company i worked for)then the machine was stopped and a supermarket bag with a $.99 sticker was put on the machine and the same pretzels went into them. <br /><br />Made me think of all the refined suckers buying that name brand.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-82680370190264679412011-09-15T10:40:44.516-04:002011-09-15T10:40:44.516-04:00I believe what Sam is talking about is wrapping a ...I believe what Sam is talking about is wrapping a different label on, for instance, Utica Club. Not something your fine brewery does, I believe.<br /><br />Which brings up a point: we're getting into a murky, ill-defined area here. Not to say it's shady; just ill-defined. We should be careful that we're all talking about the same thing. To the best of my knowledge, the Kirkland and Big Flats brands are made to order, not rebranded.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-91231123869639161662011-09-15T10:38:16.388-04:002011-09-15T10:38:16.388-04:00Our firm provides many brews for many fine and rep...Our firm provides many brews for many fine and reputable outlets, Mr. Sam K.F.X. Mattnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-85026969917147261332011-09-15T07:32:52.906-04:002011-09-15T07:32:52.906-04:00Costco sells house brand booze and beer; Walgreen&...Costco sells house brand booze and beer; Walgreen's recently launched a house brand of beer (Big Flats).Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-77754581867265811542011-09-14T23:10:11.187-04:002011-09-14T23:10:11.187-04:00Who the hell does private labels to any quantity a...Who the hell does private labels to any quantity anymore? I don't mean contract beers, I mean taking someone else's name and putting it on your house beer. That's what I think of when I hear the term, much like F&S (and Mr. Penza's Eastern) did for everyone and their cousin at one time.<br /><br />I guess the Lion does a smidge.sam knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-79087039740414434062011-09-14T13:23:23.718-04:002011-09-14T13:23:23.718-04:00Lest you forget, local "craft" erstwhile...Lest you forget, local "craft" erstwhile brewers like my own in Allentown (producing an IPA, stout, porter, cream ale, and more) once controlled a significant percentage of the market. But numerous variables, including the fickle public and the incessant younger-generation looking for something new and national (and succumbing to the impact of madison avenue) reduced that number to a scant fraction.<br /><br />Do not be surprise, Herr Bryson, to see similar circumstances conspire against this "new" movement. Have we not yet impressed upon you that "everything old becomes new again?"L.F. Neuweiler (sans son)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-53474880225476565982011-09-14T13:22:15.578-04:002011-09-14T13:22:15.578-04:00Oh sure, Al, NOW private labels are growing! Wher...Oh sure, Al, NOW private labels are growing! Where the H*ll was that when my own Eastern Brewing Corporation was hammering out label after label of "crafted" supermarket brands???? Hmmmm? Little too late for us I'd be cashing in right about now.Louis Penzanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-68859858990720918612011-09-14T11:41:11.024-04:002011-09-14T11:41:11.024-04:00using your own logic here (drawing conclusions a...using your own logic here (drawing conclusions about growth in one channel from a completely different channel, but hey I will play along) The fastest growing segment for obth spirts and wine sales over the last two years are not premiums but rather private lables(read value propositions) but Hey you are the expert here not me.Al Luccioninoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-2515981608783249402011-09-14T08:05:56.152-04:002011-09-14T08:05:56.152-04:00Thanks for mentioning those excelent names from th...Thanks for mentioning those excelent names from the past, Sam. And Schmidt's was mentioned earlier: do the PA guys remember Tiger Head Ale? I believe Schmidt made that.<br /><br />Regarding Corona, I just meant that it stands up well in a comparison with the national full-calorie beers that have been (partly) displaced. Indeed it trumps them from a taste standpoint, in my opinion. Had Budweiser been restored to its profile in, say, 1933 I believe it would do much better today than it has. Ditto Coors and others. <br /><br />I have read that big U.S. and international brewers starting in the 1970's went over to bittering as opposed to both those and aromatic hops, leaving Cascade and the other other new varieties being developed largely for the emerging craft segment. This meant the major's beers did not have the same flowery scent and taste as before. And of course they don't use large amounts of hops in each beer anyway now, but the point being the aroma and flavor part of the equation has been deemphasized. <br /><br />It is no wonder to me people have started to move away from these beers in favor of craft beers, wines, and other options except to be sure for those wedded to light beer as a taste or lifestyle choice. But again that will always be just a part of the market.<br /><br />GaryGary Gillmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-81158007125898415642011-09-13T22:14:15.341-04:002011-09-13T22:14:15.341-04:00I* agree with Gary on the individuality of special...I* agree with Gary on the individuality of specialty beers from the majors a couple of decades ago.<br /><br />National Premium, Special Export (Heileman), Andeker (Pabst), Signature (Stroh)...all very different from the mothership.<br /><br />Corona? I'm not a big fan of any Mexican beer I 've ever had, and especially at $30 or so...they're losing share in my local market for sure, especially at more than most micros, including some show-stoppers from Weyerbacher, Victory, and Bell's.<br /><br />There's yet another price increase coming from the bigs, leveling the playing field even more, and giving craft more foothold in the market.<br /><br />I don't think 10% in ten years is out of reach.sam knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-72446648509032956742011-09-13T21:39:38.513-04:002011-09-13T21:39:38.513-04:00Single malt's growing like mad, Al, and the pr...Single malt's growing like mad, Al, and the premium blends (JW Black, Blue, etc.) are growing faster than the standards. Knob Creek's growing so fast they can barely keep up, Gentleman Jack and JD Single Barrel are growing faster than JD. Craft has grown about 8% over the past 7 years, while "premium" and light have been flat or dropping...<br /><br />How much more do you need, Al? I look at the sales stats across beer and spirits all the time, and premiumization is far from dead, at least in those categories. Even vodka isn't completely off; freakin' Crystal Skull continues to sell like mad at $50 a bottle. <br /><br />But hey, whatever.Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7315262155858800734.post-52659209120014734942011-09-13T18:15:47.110-04:002011-09-13T18:15:47.110-04:00I saw it lew in the top 5 sigle malt growing from ...I saw it lew in the top 5 sigle malt growing from 6.2% to 7% and change over a 5 year period is not a a market trend , it is noise.Al Luccioninoreply@blogger.com