Monthly Archive

According to AP writer Kirsten Grieshaber and Beer Therapy, German beer sales have dropped 2.7%, or if you’re not into the whole percentage-of-the-whole thing, down by 612 million pints to the tune of 22 billion in 2007. The German Brewers Association is claiming that the weather itself is partly to blame, but most signs point to a competitive drinks market causing the decline of beer sales there.

Citing the country’s turn to a more health-conscious consumer culture, as well as a plethora of options in alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks alike, the GBA has expressed concern about the steady decline of beer sales in the land of the Rhine over the past decade.

The recent reports of hop and malt scarcity worldwide have been mentioned as contributing to overall costs to brewers, and thus, consumers. Therefore, a higher price may turn off mainstream customers looking for cheaper drinks, and beer is certainly a luxury item.

So what’ll it be, Mac… a beer, or a white grape peach juice cocktail?

A week or so before the new year began, I had heard that Carytown Wine & Beer, a purveyor of quality import and domestic beer in Richmond, would be closing its doors for good. Being a resident of the adjoining neighborhood, and having frequented the place several times over the past year and a half or so, I found it to be convenient and well-stocked, for the most part.

I could stop in and pick up an array of Belgians, from Saison Dupont to Duchesse du Bourgogne, or go for German lagers, or a steady variety of American micros. One sweltering summer day, I recall picking up a six-pack of Cape Ann Brewing’s Fisherman’s Brew, an incredibly drinkable Amber lager that tasted as good in the summer as it did the following winter. A few weeks ago I picked up another sixer of the same, as somewhat of a tribute to the place closing down.

Last night, after hammering out some beer and cheese pairing details over a Super Baladin with Steve at Can-Can (a classy French-themed restaurant in the same complex as Carytown Wine & Beer), we checked the shelves after seeing a sign in the window stating that all remaining beer was 20% off. But the shelves were practically empty. No Belgians, no German lagers, and barely any American micros left. Kind of sad, really.

After spending what seemed like less than a minute in the place, I walked out thinking about the plethora of other retail options for good beer at my disposal here in Richmond, one of which is only a few blocks away on the same street. Still, this was one of the first places I visited when I moved nearby, and it helped to kick off my craft beer quest in earnest. I’m guessing they’ll put a fashion boutique in its place.

More industry news via BrewBlog.

The Costco outfit is expanding in its efforts in the craft beer arena, this time having three private label options from which to choose. The discount megastore is commissioning Gordon Biersch to create these concoctions, which consist of a hefeweizen, an amber ale, and a pale ale.

Apparently they also have a single-malt Scotch whisky in the works, seeking label approval from the ATF(?!).

The three varities of beer they’ll be marketing seem to fit in with what the average American palate seems to enjoy. With the success of the likes of Widmer Bros. and Pyramid hefeweizens, and the ever-reliable ambers and pales that generate solid revenues, it looks as though Costco’s private branding move could be successful in its own right. Brand image will more than likely be a key factor in revving up initial sales, but who knows, perhaps Gordon Biersch will brew a quality version of each style that the general public will go for.

This may be a corollary of a previous diatribe of mine. But, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. If more consumers are turned on to the ever-expanding world of craft beer, then that can’t be such a bad thing. Let’s hope the beer is good, too.

Well, just like that, Scottish & Newcastle has officially accepted an £8 per share offer from Carlsberg and Heineken. Apparently that 24-hour extension was enough to get an offer finalized. I saw this earlier this morning at just-drinks, and was going to make an informative post, but I just didn’t have the time.

Best check out Stonch and Zythophile for some good UK perspectives on the matter. I don’t feel there’s much I can add to the pot.

On a seemingly unrelated note, there’s been a mini-project I’ve been holding back, but I guess I’ll go ahead and announce it. A while back I was going to profile some beers from the UK, seeing as how some quality American stuff has been making its way across the pond and has been well-received, for the most part. I had planned to profile one beer a day for about a week or so, just basic notes, thoughts, and whathaveyou. Due to my computer crashing on me, I may have lost the notes I’ve already accumulated on some really good beers, but I’m working to recover them.

At any rate, keep an eye out for that. If I can’t recover the stuff I’ve already written, then it’ll be back to the drawing board. Being dependent on machines sucks.

According to just-drinks.com, the UK Takeover Panel’s deadline for Carlsberg and Heineken’s bid for Scottish & Newcastle has been given a 24-hour extension. If no formal bid is made before the deadline passes, they’d have to hold off another six months before making another move. Should be interesting to see how this one pans out.

Man, I’m getting back into the swing of things already, and I love it.

Before I begin this post in earnest, I just want to say that it’s great to be back… officially… sort of. For the past few weeks, I’ve had limited internet access and no time to make any posts of worth. Now that my computer is fixed (I hope; not trying to jinx it), I can get back to the blog. Provided that the computer gods don’t strike me down again, I should be alright.

Now that that’s out of the way, we can get on to the beery goodness. I came across this article about a new boycott in Alabama that’s directed at Anheuser-Busch. I know some of you are growing weary of my tirades regarding the Big Three (Two.. or is it One by now?), but I really want to highlight the efforts of Free the Hops more than anything else here.

It’s easy to bash industrial brewers, but I enjoy covering the news surrounding them, and have less ire for them than you might imagine. When you think about it, I’m living in a rather beer-privileged area compared to other parts of the country. We don’t have restrictive abv caps in Virginia, and we have access to some of the greatest beer from around both the country and the world. So really, A-B has less of an impact on my day-to-day beer consumption since I have so many options at hand. But ask West Virginians how they feel about their ability to get a variety of quality beers above 6%. Ask Alabamians how many of their stores carry Rochefort 10, or sell anything above a pint in size. I doubt you’ll get a whole lot of positive responses.

Granted, this boycott move by Free the Hops may not put much of a dent in A-B’s profits, but it could send a strong message. In their press release, the organization points out the irony that the Bud boys launched the Here’s To Beer campaign, but aren’t doing more to cast off legal restrictions aimed directly at beer.

I’m not quite sure if directing their efforts at Anheuser-Busch is wholly warranted, but it reminds me of a scene from Grapes of Wrath, where Muley stands in front of bulldozers that have come to level his house and kick him off his land. Brandishing a shotgun, Muley threatens to shoot the driver, who in turn reminds him that he’d go to jail for the crime, and that there’s a lot of bureaucracy calling the shots, not the driver himself.

Muley responds, “Well, then, who can I shoot?”

Looks like it’s finally come to fruition. According to a BrewBlog post a couple days ago, Coors has finally started advertising Blue Moon. Just as Michelob’s new catchphrase was “Crafting a Better Beer,” Blue Moon is now using the suggestive slogan “Artfully Crafted.”

With all of the hype and success surrounding Coors’ Blue Moon line, I was always surprised by the fact that they didn’t have to advertise their product for it to become a hit. Rather than focus on a flashy ad campaign, or any at all, they used their distribution networks to put a lot of Blue Moon in grocery stores, bars, corner markets, and a host of other beer-peddling establishments.

Advertising Age discussed the fact that Coors was hestitant in advertising Blue Moon, claiming that it “didn’t want to advertise its corporate-backing to the brew snobs who are a key craft-beer constituency.”

Am I a snob because I look down my nose at Blue Moon? I don’t detest it (and don’t actually walk around dressing and acting like guy in The New Yorker’s logo), but I don’t think it’s worthy of all the acclaim it’s gotten during its brief existence. I’ll admit, it’s a rather drinkable beer, but it’s just not for me. That has nothing to do with the fact that Coors brews it, and everything to do with the fact that the beer was a letdown for me after it received glowing praise from the masses. I just wasn’t impressed. So with or without a media presence, I more than likely will not be revisiting that azure lunar landscape anytime soon.

By the way, for anyone still reading, I’m not completely back in the saddle yet, but I thought this fit in quite nicely with some previous rants of mine. And though some of these posts may make me sound like a naysaying jerk, I promise I’m just a regular jerk in everyday life.

Update: This is mostly unrelated, but upon searching a little further here, I discovered that Richmond and Norfolk, Virginia were top markets for Busch beer, whose growth has been fueled by 24- and 30-packs! I just hope my beautiful Commonwealth can keep up the good work. There are so many lonely 30-packs in the area that need a loving home. Adopt one today!

Due to some unforeseen hardware/software issues with my personal computer, it looks like I’ll be in and out of the loop for a while in terms of blogging. Not sure how long it’ll be, but I promise to return with more once I can get everything on track again.

Hope the new year finds you well.