5 ms·

Sure, but just like in so many other industries, what the bigger corporations do is buy the largest small brands and then ruin everything about them that made t

Sure, but just like in so many other industries, what the bigger corporations do is buy the largest small brands and then ruin everything about them that made them good. They also invent pseudo-craft brands that dilute the market and practically mock the entire idea of craft beer by being low quality, mass produced, nationally marketed and corporate backed. It’s noteable how subtly off their packaging and marketing is when they do this. If they understood the product they would have made it in the first place. The way these companies are not corporate controlled are an integral part of the quality of their product and experience. People passionate and knowledgeable about the product are making decisions at every step, not MBAs. I’d compare it to game studios, or especially music. When a brewery like a Goose Island gets acquired by a major brewer, it’s like they have sold out, similar to when a underground band grows and gets signed by an major label. They lose relevance for true aficionados as the quality predictably decreases along with any feeling of exclusivity.

nightski 8y ago
Meh. I've had great beer from pseudo-craft brands and awful beer from small independent craft breweries. I also haven't seen this effect at all. Have some nice craft breweries been bought out? Yes. But we still have over 80 craft breweries in our metro area alone and we are far from the largest city in the U.S. The options for great beer are endless.
- stcredzero 8y ago
  Meh. I've had great beer from pseudo-craft brands and awful beer from small independent craft breweries. I know for a fact that some independent craft brewers make an IPA, even though the brew master doesn't like them. It's obligatory. Some of this is on the knowledge and standards of the consumer. My experience with espresso in Tuscany in the 2000's, was that even ordinary corner store espresso there was better than fancy espresso in most places in the US. Why? Simply because the population in Tuscany has higher expectations.
- code_duck 8y ago
  Nowhere did I say that it means we are unable to get a good beer any longer. It ruins that brand, and new, hip brands probably have already sprouted up by then. The one acquired by the large corporation becomes mainstream, and changes to more resemble existing mainstream offerings in every way while appearing to offer the new popular style.
clort 8y ago
In the UK some years ago as I understand it (while Gordon Brown was chancellor), the tax requirements for alcohol producers were relaxed, so that breweries producing less than a certain amount (measured in litres per year) were subject to lower tax regime. As far as I know, this relates to the entire output of the corporation group, so if a smaller brewery is bought by a larger chain, they would move to the higher taxation group. In recent years even though I don't drink alcohol myself I have noticed that 'locally produced' beers have become much more prevalent in the supermarkets and I presume that means a lot of small business owners are doing ok at least.

nightski 8y ago

Meh. I've had great beer from pseudo-craft brands and awful beer from small independent craft breweries. I also haven't seen this effect at all. Have some nice craft breweries been bought out? Yes. But we still have over 80 craft breweries in our metro area alone and we are far from the largest city in the U.S. The options for great beer are endless.

stcredzero 8y ago
Meh. I've had great beer from pseudo-craft brands and awful beer from small independent craft breweries. I know for a fact that some independent craft brewers make an IPA, even though the brew master doesn't like them. It's obligatory. Some of this is on the knowledge and standards of the consumer. My experience with espresso in Tuscany in the 2000's, was that even ordinary corner store espresso there was better than fancy espresso in most places in the US. Why? Simply because the population in Tuscany has higher expectations.
code_duck 8y ago
Nowhere did I say that it means we are unable to get a good beer any longer. It ruins that brand, and new, hip brands probably have already sprouted up by then. The one acquired by the large corporation becomes mainstream, and changes to more resemble existing mainstream offerings in every way while appearing to offer the new popular style.

clort 8y ago

In the UK some years ago as I understand it (while Gordon Brown was chancellor), the tax requirements for alcohol producers were relaxed, so that breweries producing less than a certain amount (measured in litres per year) were subject to lower tax regime. As far as I know, this relates to the entire output of the corporation group, so if a smaller brewery is bought by a larger chain, they would move to the higher taxation group. In recent years even though I don't drink alcohol myself I have noticed that 'locally produced' beers have become much more prevalent in the supermarkets and I presume that means a lot of small business owners are doing ok at least.