Stone Brewing Keeping it "Real"

[Matt F]

Article on Stone's take on all the big beer mergers going on. Stone and Dogfish have both been turning down big offers and call it like it is. Corporate beer is not a good thing for craft beer. They say they leave the breweries alone. That may be the case, but it is obvious they are accumulating brands and squeezing out the little guys. They push to dominate more shelf space and continue to control distribution. Make no mistake, big corporate breweries are not good for craft beer. Their fundamentals are different than the big craft brewers like Stone, Sierra Nevada, New Belgium, etc... Remember that when you are spending money on your next six-pack.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/new ... -307492285

[jjpeanasky]

Interesting read. Really shows the division between BMC and some of the "small" guys. I see it as one makes beer as a business, they're there to make money and turn a profit. Nothing wrong with that (everyone's gotta eat). The other views brewing as something closer to an art. Passion drives them more than profits and if they can make a living, all the better.

It does, however, sadden me when these small breweries are bought out and then paraded around as a "micro" beer. My solution? I tend to drink local, but to each their own.

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[Matt F]

The scariest thing people seem to not discuss is the big boys have very long term goals. They have dominated for years by maintaining barriers to entry. Essentially dominating the beer industry as an oligopoly. They are not buying these brands simply to capture current market share, but to completely change the direction of beer in the long term. The do not sell beer, they sell a commodity. Over time it will infiltrate their various brands. It always has. Craft beer is much more expensive to make and at some point cost cutting and efficiency will begin to direct production.

I work for a big evil corporation myself. One year plans are meaningless. Shortest term we look is 5 years and most everything aligns with something much longer term. Many of the little guys are just hoping their ingredients get there on time to brew the next batch so they can keep the lights on and maybe even get out of the red. I fear when any of the major inputs to beer production becomes constrained. Last year it was tough out west with water shortages. Years ago hops where unavailable. Luckily the little guys adapted and sours gained momentum at the right time. At some point the storm will come and it will be tough on people.

In the end, just remember what you are drinking, keep teaching people what good beer tastes like, and drinking local is a good move too. Be a beer evangelist.