Looks like there will be anupcoming merger between AB InBev and Molson-Coors. The Competition Bureau in Canada has said the merger “will not lessen or prevent competition in Canada.”
Sure. Right.
So the same company will now own:
All the Budweiser labels
All the Molsen labels
All the Coors labels
All the Labatts labels
As well as Kokanee, Michelob, Alexander Keith’s, Becks, Stella Artois , Rickard’s, Corona, and literally HUNDREDS of other labels.
I’m not sure what share of the market this single company will now command in Canada, but it must be close to 90%.
But whatever. Most of these beers are tasteless swill, and of those they make that are OK, there are plenty of local brews that are far superior. So my beer money will continue to go to local, independent breweries that make an excellent product and please my palate.
Haven’t you undermined your argument that the merger will lessen or prevent competition by mentioning that there are “plenty of local brews that are far superior”?
People have different tastes. What is “tasteless swill” to one person is a refreshing brew to another. Some of the local beers are quite to my liking, others are hard for me to drink (although I acknowledge others find them quite tasty.)
So, I assume you would be supporting the local independent beer you find excellent with or without recent mergers.
People who like Coors will continue to drink it. Personally, I like Labatts when I’m going Canadian.
Believe me, cola snobs exist. They seek out Mexican coke because it’s made with real sugar instead of corn syrup. Or go to out-of-the-way stores in ethnic neighborhoods and buy imported sodas (Coke, and other brands).
I haven’t tried all of the beers listed by the OP, but the ones I do recognise are all sort of watery lagers (with the exception of Stella, which is a not-so-watery lager). Many ‘craft’ beers, even craft lagers, draw on methods and traditions outside of lager brewing (for example in their choice of malts, hops, other flavourings or their yeasts).
So maybe this is about watery lager vs everything else. Not sure.
But I sort of agree anyway. I’m fairly sure Doom Bar isn’t as good today as it was before it went mainstream (bought up while on the rise to fame by Molson Coors, in fact). I learned of this change of ownership after I had already been noticing a decline in the beer, so I’m fairly sure my perceptions are at least a little bit objective.
But then maybe there’s some selection bias in the mix too. When I try a micro brew and enjoy it, I credit the brewery. When I try one and dislike it (for reasons I generously credit myself as being objective), I blame the pub. So there’s a slight tendency for me to remember craft brews as being good, and pub landlords as being careless with the barrels.
You would think that a lot of people would feel the same way as the OP, however, it seems that everybody keeps buying the beer that’s at the lowest common denominator, maybe because it’s cheaper than beers that are probably better.
Me neither. As long as they stick to the original recipes for each respective brand, who cares? All brands that the OP listed are refreshing after an afternoon of yard work, while on the golf course, or while just enjoying sports on TV.
I agree with you for the most part. I must admit, however, that I gave Goose Island the big boycott when Bud bought them, fearing the worst for the quality of the beer. Surprisingly, Goose Island is still producing very good beers.
But yeah, buy the micro beers if you want the good stuff. Also, isn’t this merger still up for anti-trust consideration?
You might want to check the story again. The deal doesn’t create a single company.
AB Inbev gets SABMiller under the deal and then divests Miller brands to Molson-Coors.
Moslon-Coors gets “SABMiller’s share of U.S. joint venture Miller Coors and Miller’s International brands, including those sold in Canada such as Miller Genuine Draft and Miller Lite.”
Together they are gobbing up SABMiller who was the second largest brewer in the world. That’s a reduction in the number of major brewers that strengthens both of their market share. It’s not AB Inbev and Molson-Coors merging though.
Aldi’s made a purchase of small brewer’s beers to sell cheap. I’m sure the brewers accepted next to nothing for the beer just to get the exposure.
For my part, I intensely dislike overly hoppy beers, and unfortunately, small US brewers are in love with the stuff. Thus I tend to stick to Guinness and whatever chocolate stout I can find.
Although I did just finish off a 12-bottle sampler pack of Angry Orchard ciders. (Note: NOT beer) Those were good.
I think most parts of the US have plenty of locals who control a ‘boutique market’. There is, basically, plenty of choice and plenty of room for smaller brewers. In the Atlanta market, where I reside, there are more than a few local brewers doing quite well (Sweetwater, Red Brick, Three Taverns, Orpheus, Wild Heaven, Second Self, Monday Night, Eventide, etc. and going a bit farther Terrapin). So what does it matter otherwise?