The Beer Thread

a_skeleton_03_sl said:

I have been drinking60 Minute IPA | Dogfish Head Brewery | BeerAdvocatelately and when they don't have the 60 minute on tap sometimes I do the 90.

Not really a beer guy too much but I find these two to be good.

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Not a bad place to start. 60 minute and 90 are both regular being chugged down my throat.

I'm not sure how to feel about this one.

Firestone Walker Brewing Has Been Acquired by Duvel Moortgat . thefullpint.com

You don't see it out there? I remember my first time in Cali I found it in a downtown pub on tap, was delicious. I return to NJ and the fucking bar down the block now has the Double Jack on tap. Wtf?

This was a few years back, but it was odd I could never find it, go to Cali, enjoy it, and now it's available down the fucking street.

Yeah, NYC definitely has it a lot better than NJ. I think Philly has it even better than NYC.

I need to make a trip down to Philly soon.

Ao-_sl said:

Boulevard seems fine after their acquisition. Ommegang seems fine after DM went from angel investor to full owner. I honestly view this in a much better light than the Elysium/GI acquisition... and I don't really think too badly of those.

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I don't think Duvel is nearly as evil as the likes of InBev, but we'll see. As far as beer quality, GI and Elysian have also remained pretty much exactly where they were before their respective acquisitions. But when kegs of GI and Elysian IPA started getting priced cheaper than kegs Budweiser it was pretty apparent InBev basically wanted to use predatory pricing to attempt to starve out craft beer brands. Allowing their brands to be used in such a manner is why I think badly of Elysian and GI now. I'm not sure if Duvel has the same designs but this still probably means US beer dollars are going to be heading out to an international conglomerate.

Hearing rumors that Ballast Point is also considering allowing themselves to be acquired, possibly by InBev. Also heard rumors that Deschutes and Lagunitas have both turned down bids from InBev. It is a strange time now for the business of beer, that is for sure.

Ao-_sl said:

It's strange in only that people don't see the consolidation coming... most industries go through this.

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True, and I understand that. But the equity these brands (and craft beer in general) built was in a large part based on the fact they WEREN'T part of or in anyway like these giant corporate beer conglomerates. The consolidation is a normal part of a maturing industry, but what I will find interesting to watch is the consumer's reaction to it, and also how an industry that prides itself on their member's independence reacts to some of their most celebrated brethren "selling out."

I was about to come here to post the FSW announcement. I don't think it will be that big of a deal. Duvel is pretty legit. I think this is a completely mutually beneficial relationship. Widens distribution.

Ballast Point selling to InBev would be sad.

What's the big deal? Duvel is fucking delicious. My favorite beer, probably.

On the surface it isn't a big deal. Duvel has a lot of credibility in the beer industry and so far for Boulevard nothing has changed other than their distribution footprint. Duvel is a brewery first and foremost and has strong ties to craft beer culture, whereas InBev is basically a marketing firm that happens to push beer that could give two shits about craft beer to the point where they dis their own craft brands in hopes of promoting their flagship brand.

The downsides are that, even though Duvel has been family owned since 1871, they did become a publically traded company back in 1999 (with the family still owning a controlling share). So there is the possibility of pressure from shareholders changing the dynamic Boulevard and hopefully FSW currently has with Duvel (although so far that has been a non-issue for Boulevard). There is always the chance Duvel themselves could cash-out to InBev and w/o details of their deal with FSW it is tough to say how something like that might affect FSW. Finally there is the fact that now when you buy a FSW beer a small % of your beer dollar will be heading overseas. I'm sure a lot of beer drinkers won't mind if that chunk of change ends up in Duvel's (and their shareholders) pockets, but for some others that could be a potential downside.

With the way things currently stand I don't see this as much of a problem (like I do with the brands purchased by InBev) and if FSW doesn't currently distribute to you this news is probably a big win.

If nothing else, Duvel buying Boulevard has made them even better. Seems like they are spending a lot more money to put on a big festival each year now, and they're pumping out more an more seasonal beers than ever. while expanding production of their current beers (some are available in cans now, nice for swimming/boating).

I was very apprehensive about Boulevard being purchased a couple years ago, as it's my favorite brewery by far(and local to my hometown here), but it's been nothing but good so far.

Ameraves_sl said:

Decided to take a trip up to Santa Rosa today and hit up Russian River. Then tonight, the wife and I went out to The Hop Grenade and I realized that Drakes had released Aroma Coma and Aroma Prieta.

I have lots of drinking to do!

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That Pliny... I would kill for some, but i'll never get it in KY/IN region.