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Craft Brews Chipping Away At Big Beer's Dominance

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Miller tastes fine to me. My example of a beer snob in this case would be at a ball game. Went with a co-worker, before the game started went to go get a couple sausages and beer. Came back with four (Miller or something) beers. He proceeded to put up a stink and not drink anything.

In the end, I lost respect for him. Never spoke to him again. On the plus side, I had four beers.
While I agree that refusing a macrobrew at a ballgame is pretty douchey, you never talking to him again after that doesn't make you any better. In fact, I think that's worse.
 
Yeah if someone buys you a Miller or Bud at a game or wherever you're a douche if you refuse it. On the other side of the spectrum I've had friends who have refused to drink craft beers I've offered them saying they only want to stick with what they know, it doesn't make me mad but I don't understand why they're so afraid of trying something different?
 
I just want to point out that anyone who prefers IPAs isn't a real person. Science.

That said, I had an awesome black IPA the other night, which I wasn't aware was a thing until then...wish I could remember what it was called...

Edit: I'd definitely refuse a free bud, I seriously can't drink that shit. Not in a "this is somewhat icky but whatever" way but in a "wow I can't force this shit down my throat" way.
 
Craft beer is pretty much available everywhere in Seattle. Granted, you don't have as much choice at a sporting event or a concert, but you can always get something that wasn't made by the BMC.

I don't care who makes Shock Top. All I know is it tastes like absolute shit. My first experience with that was in Austin, TX on Sixth Street. Bars normally flag people down and offer free or dollar beers to get the place crowded. I never thought I would complain about free beer in my entire life.

When I'm talking to people (particularly those from outside the Seattle/PNW region) about my interest in craft beer, I get a lot of "You mean like Blue Moon?" or "You mean like Shock Top?"
 
I'm not a fan of Miller or Bud but I'd drink it if I had to. I'd rather drink Coors or Yuengling (Too small to be considered macrobrewery?).

According to most, Yuengling might be considered too big. They are with Sam Adams as the largest American owned breweries. Although, I think Sam might have surpassed them in the past year.
 
I'm really looking forward to the Tigers v Yankees game I'm going to in a couple of weeks. I love the contrast I get - A nice Bells or Sam Adams before the game starts, another nice $8-$10 craft beer when I'm still motivated enough to go seek one out between innings, and some canned Lebatt's poured into a plastic cup when the swill vendor comes by.

No ketchup on my hot dogs though. Grilled peppers and onions, with the occasional mustard. I haven't seen any fancy mustard at CoPa, but the straight yellow stuff works for me.

While I agree that refusing a macrobrew at a ballgame is pretty douchey, you never talking to him again after that doesn't make you any better. In fact, I think that's worse.

A douchey co-worker who is willing to flaunt his douchiness at a ballgame is uncouth unless you're a Yankees fan. Then it's just expected.
 
I just want to point out that anyone who prefers IPAs isn't a real person. Science.

That said, I had an awesome black IPA the other night, which I wasn't aware was a thing until then...wish I could remember what it was called...

Do you remember the brewery?
 
According to most, Yuengling might be considered too big. They are with Sam Adams as the largest American owned breweries. Although, I think Sam might have surpassed them in the past year.

Does Sam Adams have better distribution than Yuengling? I always read in threads on here that many posters have never seen it in stores.
 
Boston Beer/Sam Adams has a much larger distribution market than Yuengling.

I lost my best friend because he wouldn't shotgun old milwaulkee red with me in the taco bell parking lot.

I really don't like lagers, regardless of who made it. There are a few random pilsners that I kinda like, and some local places make a nice kolsch, but that's it.
 
If someone gave me a Budweiser at a game, I would drink it. But, if I go to a restaurant and all they have is that sort of beer, I'll go with a red wine instead. I don't really like lagers much anyway. Luckily around here, most places carry either Stone IPA, Arrogant Bastard or Sierra Nevada. I'm quite happy with any of those.
 
I just want to point out that anyone who prefers IPAs isn't a real person. Science.

That said, I had an awesome black IPA the other night, which I wasn't aware was a thing until then...wish I could remember what it was called...

Edit: I'd definitely refuse a free bud, I seriously can't drink that shit. Not in a "this is somewhat icky but whatever" way but in a "wow I can't force this shit down my throat" way.

Dad's Little Helper from Rogue perhaps?

Edit: Ah, Alaskan Black. Their Amber is awesome as well.
 
While I agree that refusing a macrobrew at a ballgame is pretty douchey, you never talking to him again after that doesn't make you any better. In fact, I think that's worse.

...spending over twenty dollars for someone who rejects everything purchased of non-refundable items is not as "douchey"? There were obviously more factors with this person that lead to my decision, but if you think that is worse then I fear how you act in public.

When I'm talking to people (particularly those from outside the Seattle/PNW region) about my interest in craft beer, I get a lot of "You mean like Blue Moon?" or "You mean like Shock Top?"

I have a friend that all he drinks is Blue Moon. I often get him to try other things, but it's just his comfort zone. Don't hold anything against him.
 
Does Sam Adams have better distribution than Yuengling? I always read in threads on here that many posters have never seen it in stores.

Absolutely. Yuengling has expanded though, it's just not readily available on a broad scale. Most liquor stores specializing in craft beers will normally carry them. Rarely see it on draft at any bars.
 
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the best

This is actually true. One of the things I miss most about the region.
 
I have a friend that all he drinks is Blue Moon. I often get him to try other things, but it's just his comfort zone. Don't hold anything against him.

Yeah, I don't care what people drink. If they like it, that's great. My problem is the behavior of the large macrobrewers and their attempts at screwing over the craft market.
 
Absolutely. Yuengling has expanded though, it's just not readily available on a broad scale. Most liquor stores specializing in craft beers will normally carry them. Rarely see it on draft at any bars.

Sam Adams is available at least to Texas, and probably in most of the 50 states. Yuengling doesn't even make it to Kentucky.
 
Heard this on the radio yesterday. Biggest take away for me was discovering blue moon was a crafty beer. All those years of building hipster cred wasted!
 
Recommendations for craft beers or any other beers similar to Kingfisher I can buy in regular grocers? Loved the taste of that beer - Trader Joe's used to carry it but no more. :(
 
Before I knew anything I thought Sam Adams was as ubiquitous as Miller/Budweiser. They definitely do great with their distribution; just had a Cherry Wheat on tap yesterday here in Michigan. Pretty much every restaurant/bar I go to has at least one variant of Sam Adams on tap.
 
Before I knew anything I thought Sam Adams was as ubiquitous as Miller/Budweiser. They definitely do great with their distribution; just had a Cherry Wheat on tap yesterday here in Michigan. Pretty much every restaurant/bar I go to has at least one variant of Sam Adams on tap.

Sam Adams has a huge brewery and distribution center near Cincinnati so your area and mine gets a lot of Sam.
 
I don't care who makes Shock Top. All I know is it tastes like absolute shit.

Eh, it depends. I like Shock Top Belgian White, just because it tastes kinda like Oberon and they serve it at venues that are Bud exclusive. It's the best of a bunch of bad options.

The lemon shandy Shock Top, on the other hand, tastes like Ajax. It is literally like drinking lemon glass cleaner. I threw it away.
 
Sam Adams is available at least to Texas, and probably in most of the 50 states. Yuengling doesn't even make it to Kentucky.

Yeah. I would say even the seasonal brews Sam does reaches even farther than Yuengling. I don't see them too often, but was surprised how often I saw them in Texas.

There was this chain in Texas called UFO or Flying Saucer (I think?). They had a ton on draft and always had a special going. Remember I drank nine/ten Harps for a dollar a piece in the span of a few hours watching a ball game. Went a few more times on my next visit. Always enjoy the girls in school outfits and the specials they have.

Eh, it depends. I like Shock Top Belgian White, just because it tastes kinda like Oberon and they serve it at venues that are Bud exclusive. It's the best of a bunch of bad options.

The lemon shandy Shock Top, on the other hand, tastes like Ajax. It is literally like drinking lemon glass cleaner. I threw it away.

I think I actually poured that out on the sidewalk this past summer. I think it was the one branded with a mustache or something.
 
Yeah. I would say even the seasonal brews Sam does reaches even farther than Yuengling. I don't see them too often, but was surprised how often I saw them in Texas.

There was this chain in Texas called UFO or Flying Saucer (I think?). They had a ton on draft and always had a special going. Remember I drank nine/ten Harps for a dollar a piece in the span of a few hours watching a ball game. Went a few more times on my next visit. Always enjoy the girls in school outfits and the specials they have.

Flying Saucer. They are a regional chain. You can find them in Memphis and Nashville, some locations in Texas, and I'm not sure where else.
 
I got no problem with PBR. Something about Coors doesn't click with me at all, but it's probably not a problem as a 2nd/3rd beer. Having said that, the local beer bar had Piney or Pliney or whatever it was called, which was supposedly one of the highest-ranked beers on some enthusiast website. $8 a pint but I agree it's one of the better beers I've had, and it goes down very easily.

I really don't see the big dogs really making a huge effort to win the craft brew market. A lot of those people are going to ignore them irregardless of the quality, and more variation means costlier manufacturing since they'd have to create processes for yet another line, nevermind the marketing to have it even show up on people's radar.
 
I'm really looking forward to the Tigers v Yankees game I'm going to in a couple of weeks. I love the contrast I get - A nice Bells or Sam Adams before the game starts, another nice $8-$10 craft beer when I'm still motivated enough to go seek one out between innings, and some canned Lebatt's poured into a plastic cup when the swill vendor comes by.

Jealous. I tried to get tickets to that Saturday game vs. the Yanks, but struck out. Going to try for the Twins game later on.

Comerica Park's food is incredible for ballpark food, but the beer selection is eh. I usually go with Labbatt's. They have Leinenkugel, but it's the berry/shandy stuff I'm not a huge fan of.

Ford Field actually has a stand that sells Founder's and Bell's now. Maybe Comerica relented in the off season and has one too.
 
I think that's it. They've partnered with Untappd a few times on special badges.

Flying Saucer is definitely cool. If you get in their area don't be afraid to check them out. 100+ beers on tap, and fun daily specials. I know I got a Yuengling 1 liter glass mug filled with their Oktoberfest for like $8.
 
I don't really see the point of drinking a beer like bud light or MGD. They're generally very weak on flavor and ABV. I'm not "above" drinking them if that's all there is or whatever, and if I hadn't started drinking them when I started drinking I would never have found my way into the much-more-awesome craft beers, but if I'm going domestic I'm going PBR. Might as well go all the fucking way to that side of the spectrum.

That said, Utah has some great microbrews, my favorite being Epic. They seem to always have something new for sale on their store. And it's one of the few places you can get beer >4% ABV on Sunday since all the liquor stores are closed.
 
Most of my friends know me well enough to not hand me Miller Lite at a baseball game, though. They sell Ballast Point at both of our stadiums. I wouldn't throw away beer, of course, but still.
 
I feel like this is a sign of a general and growing trend towards local markets following the backlash from the bank/car bailouts. People are feeling more comfortable paying slightly more for quality product and services, and they're more reluctant to throw money at large faceless corporations not beholden to local interests. I know here in NOLA, while we certainly did feel some effects of the recession, the impact appeared to be severely diminished since a large segment of the metro area relies on local business, PARTICULARLY in the entertainment and restaurant industries. I honestly think it's just what this country needs atm. I'm a localvore, and as much I love getting 1.5x the meal at Taco Bell and at far more convenience, I'm coming around to the fact that some red beans from Breaux Mart down the street and Manda sausage (green onion, accept no substitutes) is so much better - and even cheaper when I've got the time commitment to spare.

More relevant to the topic, Abita beer is also definitely the beer of choice around here, being a fan of Purple Haze and Amber myself. There's actually a pretty vocal minority that almost actively protests against the "shitty domestics," my sis being one of the loudest, preferring either local or imported. TBH, though, most beer tastes like shit to me so take that as you will. Also Abita's rootbeer is possibly only second to Barq's, which while owned by Coca Cola, got started and still keeps most of its business here in the French Quarter.
 
Most of my friends know me well enough to not hand me Miller Lite at a baseball game, though. They sell Ballast Point at both of our stadiums. I wouldn't throw away beer, of course, but still.

Most stadiums now give you some options. You may need to find the specific vendor, but they have them. In Boston, you pretty much can find most things. The Boston Garden has a great selection. The place I could only find Miller/Bud was Shea Stadium. Place was torn down, sure the new one has a good selection.

Part of the other problem is, lines! You don't want to miss any of the game or walk all over the place. If that's the case, I just find whatever is closest and has the least line. In some cases, it will be the vendor serving the craft beer as they just aren't as popular.
 
I don't really see the point of drinking a beer like bud light or MGD. They're generally very weak on flavor and ABV. I'm not "above" drinking them if that's all there is or whatever, and if I hadn't started drinking them when I started drinking I would never have found my way into the much-more-awesome craft beers, but if I'm going domestic I'm going PBR. Might as well go all the fucking way to that side of the spectrum.

That said, Utah has some great microbrews, my favorite being Epic. They seem to always have something new for sale on their store. And it's one of the few places you can get beer >4% ABV on Sunday since all the liquor stores are closed.

It's cheap and some of them are moderately drinkable for long periods of time.
 
How can they expect to continue to take a bigger part of the market in the future if they can't put out a lower cost product?
I don't see why they'd want to. The low end is taken care of by the multinationals. If microbreweries have a premium product that caters to discriminating customers and earns a decent margin, I think many breweries would be happy with that.
 
I love this development. I've also noticed that these craft beers are more and more represented at restaurants of all types, including chains.

Sweetwater was my first love and will always be my favorite.

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Eh, it depends. I like Shock Top Belgian White, just because it tastes kinda like Oberon and they serve it at venues that are Bud exclusive. It's the best of a bunch of bad options.

The lemon shandy Shock Top, on the other hand, tastes like Ajax. It is literally like drinking lemon glass cleaner. I threw it away.

I am quite fond of Oberon but I don't like Shock Top's Belgian White at all :P.

Cheech said:
Jealous. I tried to get tickets to that Saturday game vs. the Yanks, but struck out. Going to try for the Twins game later on.

They were actually a gift from a very generous gaffer. I usually take my dad out to a few games a summer, but this will be the first time we get to go to a home opening series.

Cheech said:
Comerica Park's food is incredible for ballpark food, but the beer selection is eh. I usually go with Labbatt's. They have Leinenkugel, but it's the berry/shandy stuff I'm not a huge fan of.

Ford Field actually has a stand that sells Founder's and Bell's now. Maybe Comerica relented in the off season and has one too.

Leinen's Berry Weiss is so bad but I know a lot of people that like it. It tastes just like Fruity Pebbles to me. I've been able to get Atwater's IPA and Dirty Blonde at Copa but I had to do a little bit of searching.
 
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