Tough Topic: Be Honest

As craft beer becomes bigger business, a few breweries become shady.  Some of the larger mass production brewers are making a line of more flavorful beer, but distancing themselves from the new brand to make it look like it is a hometown beer.  The two that come to mind right away is Landshark Lager and Leinenkugel's.

Landshark is really a product of Anheuser-Busch.  Landshark just uses Jimmy Buffet for branding.  Nowhere on their bottle or in any of their material is it obvious that Landshark is a product of AB.  In fact they have done such a good job covering this up that good.is created a beer map of the US.  In creating this map Good asked readers the following:

What is the most awesome, best tasting, sustainably brewed, independently owned, community-oriented craft beer brewed in your state?

Landshark is by no means independently owned and it is a shame the people of Florida don't know that.

A second brewery out there masquerading as a small craft brewer is Leinenkugel's.  Now I do enjoy one of their beers from time to time, but I do take issue with how they attempt to pass themselves off.  No mention of Miller on the bottle at all.  Check out their FAQ page.  See the spot where they claim to be a "regional brewery with limited marketing dollars." Bullshit.

Many consumers decide to drink craft beer for its' sustainability, or to support a local business in addition to a more flavorful beer.  I am glad to see some of these larger brewers are trying to produce more flavorful beer and there is some attempt to even give back to the communities where they are based.  But seriously folks, be honest about who you are.

MillerCoors May Be A Craft Brewer Depending on You

So this week MillerCoors announced the name and plans of a new business unit "Tenth and Blake Beer Company."  The goal of this new unit is to make craft brews and import similar quality beers from around the world.  Some blogs and twitter feeds have been scolding, some have rejoiced.  Personally, I will wait and see.

Many of the new comers to craft beer come by way of Blue Moon a not always acknowledged unit of Coors, and similarly Leinenkugel has been a unit of Miller for years.  Whether you should rejoice, be upset or indifferent depends on the reason YOU drink craft beer.  Yes I said you and your reason.

Most people fail to understand that people come to craft beer for a variety of reasons. Here is a short list in no real order:

• Taste
• Environmental
• Support Local Business
• Support Small Business

This is a short list, and in reality there are likely others and many subcategories with a massive influence on the market.  Interestingly enough, I know more than one person who jumped on the bandwagon condemning this.  However, this month Pyramid/Magic Hat is now owned by the people who sell Labatt and Kona joined a national conglomerate.  Were these mergers good bad or indifferent?

Over the next several weeks come back and see how I explore each of these issues, and their implications in Craft Beer.  Look for the "Why Craft?" label.

Also if someone has a reason they are drinking craft beer let me know in the comments.