Anheuser-Busch making a craft brew, and being sneaky about it

[Beer Monkey]

Looks like Anheuser-Busch is trying to break in to the craft market, found an interesting story on it.

http://www.brookston.org/beer/?p=102

the website the guy mentions is currently offline, wonder if they are getting a bunch of crap for hiding who is really making it.

[HogieWan]

Originally posted by Beer Monkey
Looks like Anheuser-Busch is trying to break in to the craft market, found an interesting story on it.

http://www.brookston.org/beer/?p=102

the website the guy mentions is currently offline, wonder if they are getting a bunch of crap for hiding who is really making it.

sounds shady - I'd try it, though

[ClockworkOrange]

Wild Hop is registered with the PA liquor control board under A-B. (Breweries are required to do this in order to sell within the state). Can't fool me.

[chazwicke]

I'd like to try one. 100% Barley? From AB?

[Wilson]

Intresting, too bad he didnt try it and let us know how it tasted.

[newportstorm]

There were several discussions recently about this on BeerAdvocate. Like this one:

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/702233/

One BA user, 'IceAce', makes some sense with this post:

"Funny how the tables are turned when a big local (So. Cal.) brewer like Pizza Port does the same thing (as announced in the current Celebrator):

Tomme Arthur, Port Brewing's director of operations...is excited about the acquisition of Stone's former facility in San Marcos as it will afford the launching of The Lost Abbey brand of beers. As the name suggests, the brand will feature Port Brewing's many Belgian-style beers.

Arthur stated, "This is a standalone brand of beer that will be produced alongside the Port Brewing beers that people are familiar with."

Why did they do it? Rebranding with a trade name befitting the target audience is plain smart business...but apparently it is just not fair if the big guys do it."

Cheers!

[chazwicke]

I was at a tasting recently and Arthur was there. He makes no secret about this. He is not trying to hide his identity. I don't think it is the same thing.

As for the AB beer, Like I said I'd try it. I am actually intregued because they say they use 100 barley and no adjuncts. I don't hate AB because they are AB. If they sold good beer, I'd drink it. Of course being a beer snob I really don't have any real brand loyalty. I'm usually trying new stuff I had not tried before.

Gary Heurich, who is a friend of mine, is folding up his Foggy Bottom line of beers after 20 odd years. One of the reasons was because in DC his beers did not get total support from the local craft brew drinkers. I occasionally drank his beers but I did not think they were the best and so even though He is a buddy, I most of the time drank other beers. It's about taste. If AB made a decent beer and it tasted good to me, I'd drink it sometimes.

[hops99]

One BA user, 'IceAce', makes some sense with this post:

Neither here nor there, but in the spirit of full disclosure, I believe "IceAce" works for an A-B distributor - which makes his comments a bit more proprietary...

[HarkJohnny]

I like the comment near the bottom about it "not being hoppy enough for an IPA" lol... did you read the name of the beer... lager??!! doh!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by hops99
Neither here nor there, but in the spirit of full disclosure, I believe "IceAce" works for an A-B distributor - which makes his comments a bit more proprietary...

Yes, he works for an A-B house, but it doesn't make his opinion of statements less valid or biased. Check his profile, reviews, posts. The guy is no macro apologist - simply doesn't like assumptions and quick fire reactions to anything/everything about Big Beer. Neither do I and I've no affiliation with any brewery.

Cheers!

[newportstorm]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I was at a tasting recently and Arthur was there. He makes no secret about this. He is not trying to hide his identity. I don't think it is the same thing.



The same? Maybe not. Similar? Sure. Anyone who browses around the beer sites or goes to dinners/tastings will probably understand the connection between Pizza Port's brands. But if the labelling focuses on the "Lost Abbey" name, the Pizza Port connection will be lost on some. Just as breweries that contract brew their beer (wholly or in part), but make nary a passing mention of the fact on the label. No need to draw attention to where it's brewed and by whom - it's the same recipe.

A-B (and Coors) takes a lot of crap from craft brew fans (for good reason), so I can understand distancing this brand from the parent company. Lots of craft beer lovers will probably make up their minds about the beer or refuse to buy it before even tasting it, based on its association with A-B.

If I come across a tasting of Wild Hop or Stone Mill Pale Ale, I'll give them a go. BTW, if in New England, consider voting for one of these experimental beers that will debut this summer (use my zip code of 02885 to get in - it only recognizes New England residents, I believe):

http://www.originalbeers.com/

Cheers!

[hops99]

Yes, he works for an A-B house, but it doesn't make his opinion of statements less valid or biased.

I simply found it important to note that people reading your post should know that IceAce works for A-B, bias or no bias. IMO, we ALL have certain biased opinions on a potpourri of issues in life, especially in relation to family, friends, and employers. So, when he rags on the Pizza Port, and he works for the competition....

On a semi-related note, I've had a few of the A-B special release beers over the last year. I didn't care for most of them, but I actually thought the Jack's Pumpkin was pretty good. Definitely better than some other pumpkin brews I've had, and not as good as others. I would also try their new brew, if available.

[Jim Dorsch]

He works for an AB house that sells a significant quantity of other brands.

Originally posted by hops99
I simply found it important to note that people reading your post should know that IceAce works for A-B, bias or no bias. IMO, we ALL have certain biased opinions on a potpourri of issues in life, especially in relation to family, friends, and employers. So, when he rags on the Pizza Port, and he works for the competition....

[Polishbeer]

Hey all, Devon, I’m new here, glad to be stepping into the world of beer.
I’ve actually just recently switched to Miller as a day to day beer and discovered the joys of local beers, and a few foreign ones for when I’m in the mood. So far I can’t say that I’m disappointed, or that I miss my A-B days.
Anyway there was something like this in the wall street journal today, I don’t have the link though, but it’s on the front page for April 26, 2006. according to them A-B kind of got caught changing the taste of Bud while promising that its been the same, and according to beer business Daily A-B has been trying to set up variety beers by region to compete with local brewers.
Anyway I’ll probably keep my distance, I mean I’ll try, it but I don’t expect much from A-B, plus they seem to have a tendency of being dishonest about what their doing and that makes me a bit wary.

[unkle bik]

What's next? Homebrewers doing Bud Lite clones?

[HarkJohnny]

I was out of town the past weekend for a beer festival (peoria, il) and the Hooters we went to had a beer called Bare Knuckle Stout. I had never heard of it but it sounded yards beyond the standard crap they had on tap. It looked like Guinness. Tasted like Guinness with a little extra chocolate hint to it. Come to find out later it's an AB brand. I feel a little dirty now... but they did a good job at making a Guinness clone to say the least.

[brewmonkey]

They actually have been at it for years. I remember talking with I believe it was Mitch Steele at the 99 GABF about some of their small batches they were making in the New Hampshire facility.

[newportstorm]

Bareknuckle Stout has been out for a while now. At least in limited markets since 2003.

These, however, are new to the market and are being taste tested now - with pretty good results.

http://www.anheuserbusch.com/news/hometown_brew_040706.htm

There is a tasting at a Boston bar (The Kinsale) tonight, if interested. A few people on BA have gotten samples and been pleased with the beers.

http://beeradvocate.com/forum/read/718480

I voted for the IPA and will try whatever beer wins the voting/taste tests.

Cheers!

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by unkle bik
What's next? Homebrewers doing Bud Lite clones?

They have been doing them for years as are the pub brewers.

During my time at the helm the best selling beer I ever formulated was an American Premium Lager that was at least 20% adjunct and 30% 6-row. It sold like gangbusters winning over MANY converts who slowly started working their way up into more stout beers as well it's many fans included some of my diehards who we generally only found drinking beers like my Kriek, Tripple's and Double IPA's.

[fretlessman71]

Is it still available? Curious...

[BigHead]

AB willmake this beer and kick butt.

[brewmonkey]

http://www.originalbeers.com/

Here is their link to the campaign they are running in Ohio. You will need an Ohio zip to enter, I used 43160.

[HarkJohnny]

i was checking that site out yesterday. voted too.

[hops99]

I also tried the Bare Knuckle Stout for the first time last weekend. A-B had a booth at the Cleveland Ale Festival, and they were pouring this as well as a spiced wheat beer. The wheat was horrible stuff, but.....I thought the Stout was pretty darn good.

[HogieWan]

The wheat was WAAAAAY over-spiced. I don't like Blue Moon because I find there is more spice flavor than beer flavor, and this was worse. Also tried Bare Knuckle - not impressive, but not horrible

[Mad Scientist]

If I can get it I'll give it a shot. I tried the Winter's Cask Aged Ale a while back, and it was okay.