34 replies to this topic

[positiveContact]

I disagree. A lot of younger beer drinkers, particularly women, who had drank beers like bud light have switched over to 312 because they think its cool. I believe these gateway craft beers are where BMC are losing market share. The buy out could launch 312 as the nationaly distributed cross over beer that Bud light wheat could never be. Also, Goose Island has been brewing a draft only pale ale named Green Line, think lighter Sierra Nevada pale ale, that definately could be leveraged to take tap handles away from SN, first locally then nationally. Green line is the beer bud american ale could never be.

My main point is that I can't see why they would change the beer. Goose Island could have two potential things that InBev wants:1. wide spread brand recognition (which I don't think they have outside of the Chicago area)2. beer that people like and want to drink that would do well on the national market (sounds like they probably have this)Given that #1 seems unlikely it would be massive fail on InBev's part if they went and mucked around with the beer. They'd destroy the brand before it ever became a widespread household name.

[Genesee Ted]

Or what if they use something like the Goose Island brand to make very high quality beer on a mass production level, marketed side by side with smaller craft and regional craft brands. They can destroy the competition on price. Even if they do not take to predatory pricing, they will still make a TON of money based on the economies of scale that they bring to the table. Just think if they continued to make Bourbon County Stout and could charge the same price, but cost them a fraction of what GI now spends due to mass production, and then nationally distributed to boot. It would not surprise me if InBev/AB is smart enough to know that hardcore craft beer fans are seemingly out of their reach with their current product line. That is 10% of the market they would like back and will do whatever they can to get even 1% of it.

[positiveContact]

Or what if they use something like the Goose Island brand to make very high quality beer on a mass production level, marketed side by side with smaller craft and regional craft brands. They can destroy the competition on price. Even if they do not take to predatory pricing, they will still make a TON of money based on the economies of scale that they bring to the table. Just think if they continued to make Bourbon County Stout and could charge the same price, but cost them a fraction of what GI now spends due to mass production, and then nationally distributed to boot. It would not surprise me if InBev/AB is smart enough to know that hardcore craft beer fans are seemingly out of their reach with their current product line. That is 10% of the market they would like back and will do whatever they can to get even 1% of it.

that's kind of what I was thinking.

[No Party JKor]

Or what if they use something like the Goose Island brand to make very high quality beer on a mass production level, marketed side by side with smaller craft and regional craft brands. They can destroy the competition on price. Even if they do not take to predatory pricing, they will still make a TON of money based on the economies of scale that they bring to the table. Just think if they continued to make Bourbon County Stout and could charge the same price, but cost them a fraction of what GI now spends due to mass production, and then nationally distributed to boot. It would not surprise me if InBev/AB is smart enough to know that hardcore craft beer fans are seemingly out of their reach with their current product line. That is 10% of the market they would like back and will do whatever they can to get even 1% of it.

But you forgot that InBev is the devil.

[Big Nake]

Hall is leaving and they have named their new Brewmaster who has been "Head Brewer" (apparently one rung below Brewmaster) since 2010. The story is HERE. Okay, seriously? The guy's name is Brett Porter. Is that a stage name? His first and last name are beer-related. That does it... I'm changing my name to Kent Hallertau.

[HVB]

The guy's name is Brett Porter. Is that a stage name? His first and last name are beer-related. That does it... I'm changing my name to Kent Hallertau.

When I first read his name I thought it was a new beer they were coming out with .. my excitement soon faded.

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Hall is leaving and they have named their new Brewmaster who has been "Head Brewer" (apparently one rung below Brewmaster) since 2010. The story is HERE. Okay, seriously? The guy's name is Brett Porter. Is that a stage name? His first and last name are beer-related. That does it... I'm changing my name to Kent Hallertau.

Or go to Oregon and get a new hop named lenard. Or white labs, lenard strain. Or a new barley... The possibilities are endless, but Kent Hallertau does sound pretty cool.

[EWW]

Siebel has to hate this.

[Genesee Ted]

But you forgot that InBev is the devil.

How is this any less devilish?

Siebel has to hate this.

Why?

[ChicagoWaterGuy]

Siebel has to hate this.

The brewpubs are a seperate entity not in the deal.

[Big Nake]

Oh yeah, Siebel has a "classroom" in the Clybourn location... forgot about that. Oh, and I'm thinking that the other good stage/brewer name could be Chico Strisselspalt. Has a good ring to it.

[Genesee Ted]

I could be wrong, but aren't most of Siebel's students sent from major breweries for career training a lot of the time?

[ChefLamont]

All I am gonna say is that if they screw up the bourbon county stout...there is gonna be trouble. Hey InBev!

[djinkc]

But you forgot that InBev is the devil.

Nothing good will come from this. Except for the InBev execs. Store a GI IPA for a year and it will go downhill and still probably be better that what we get in 2012. And people will lose jobs.

[chuck_d]

Today is Greg Hall's official last day. The Brewmaster and son of the founder is no longer at GI. Today I raise a glass of Sofie in his honor! Greg created the barrel aging program that has brought us amazing beers like Bourbon County Stout, Sofie, Juliet and more. Cheers.

I could be wrong, but aren't most of Siebel's students sent from major breweries for career training a lot of the time?

No, it's maybe about 20-30%. When I was there the only "major" breweries that had students there were the two big Mexican breweries (one makes Corona the other Dos Equis, along with a plethora of brands each). But yeah, a lot of major breweries do send their employees to Siebel for training. I'm not sure how it will impact the school. The library is stored in the "Siebel Room" at the Clybourn brewpub and larger classes (like the 3-day start your brewery course) are taught over there at that the brewpub. The diploma course is taught at Siebel's building across the street.