4 ms·

Sam Adams is not a craft brewery. I understand that term is subjective, but really truly not in this case. I wouldn't say Dogfish Head is either anymore.

davidcbc 10y ago
There is a formal definition of what is or isn't a craft brewery from the Brewers Association. A craft brewery makes less than 6 million barrels per year, less than 25% is owned or controlled by a non craft brewery, and the majority of their alcoholic drinks are beer. Sam Adams and DFH both satisfy those requirements.
- whistlerbrk 10y ago
  Okay, but no beer drinker would show up to a party saying they brought some craft brews and pull out some Boston Lager...
  - beat 10y ago
    Indeed. "Craft beer" is basically a marketing term for Sam Adams now, rather than a production model. It's not the only one. Here in Minnesota, I feel the same way about Summit and the various Schell's sub-labels. They may technically be "craft", but really, they're mass production beers with a smaller market than the giants.
  - kd0amg 10y ago
    How about Thirteenth Hour?
- SippinLean 10y ago
  That might change with the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sam-adams-is-about-to-be-kicked-out-of-the-craft-beer-category-2015-06-25 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sam-adams-is-about-to-be-ki...
- nibb0r 10y ago
  The BA changed the definition in order to keep Sam Adams "craft." http://beerpulse.com/2011/01/brewers-association-enacts-sam-adams-provision-as-brewery-nears-threshold/ http://beerpulse.com/2011/01/brewers-association-enacts-sam-...
nibb0r 10y ago
The term "craft brewery" is defined by the industry group "the Brewers Association." It's not legally binding. That group changed the definition of "craft brewery" from a brewery that produces less than 2 million bbl/year to one that produces less than 6 million bbl/year. They made this change in 2011, as Sam Adams began to produce more than 2 million bbl/year.

davidcbc 10y ago

There is a formal definition of what is or isn't a craft brewery from the Brewers Association. A craft brewery makes less than 6 million barrels per year, less than 25% is owned or controlled by a non craft brewery, and the majority of their alcoholic drinks are beer. Sam Adams and DFH both satisfy those requirements.

whistlerbrk 10y ago
Okay, but no beer drinker would show up to a party saying they brought some craft brews and pull out some Boston Lager...
- beat 10y ago
  Indeed. "Craft beer" is basically a marketing term for Sam Adams now, rather than a production model. It's not the only one. Here in Minnesota, I feel the same way about Summit and the various Schell's sub-labels. They may technically be "craft", but really, they're mass production beers with a smaller market than the giants.
- kd0amg 10y ago
  How about Thirteenth Hour?
SippinLean 10y ago
That might change with the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sam-adams-is-about-to-be-kicked-out-of-the-craft-beer-category-2015-06-25 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sam-adams-is-about-to-be-ki...
nibb0r 10y ago
The BA changed the definition in order to keep Sam Adams "craft." http://beerpulse.com/2011/01/brewers-association-enacts-sam-adams-provision-as-brewery-nears-threshold/ http://beerpulse.com/2011/01/brewers-association-enacts-sam-...

nibb0r 10y ago

The term "craft brewery" is defined by the industry group "the Brewers Association." It's not legally binding. That group changed the definition of "craft brewery" from a brewery that produces less than 2 million bbl/year to one that produces less than 6 million bbl/year. They made this change in 2011, as Sam Adams began to produce more than 2 million bbl/year.