Friday, September 23, 2011

Are fewer people drinking "American" beer?

MSNBC reported the following major brands of "American" beer have seen their sales plummet in the last few years:

1. Michelob: down a whoppin’ SEVENTY-TWO PERCENT from 2006 to 2010
2. Michelob Light: down 64% for the same period
3. Bud Select: down 60%, same period
4. Milwaukee’s Best: down 53%, same period
5. Old Milwaukee: down 52%, same period
6. Miller Genuine Draft: down 51%, same period
7. Milwaukee’s Best Light: down 34%, same period
8. BUDWEISER(!): down 30% for the same period

MSNBC article. A columnist on the website Seattle PI wrote "What does this list really say? That Americans are rejecting mass-produced crap beers in record numbers." Just one problelm? The list says nothing about the sales numbers for Michelob Ultra, Miller Lite, and yes, Bud Lite. I don't think its any secret more people are leaving the regular beers listed above for the less calorie versions. Poor reporting by MSNBC and an poor interpretation by the columnist. However, he did make some good points about American brewing:

"I think American small business is the very beating heart of our society. In 1980, there were about a half-dozen American craft breweries. That number is now almost 1,500. And this is that small-business paradigm that, I firmly believe, is the eventual antidote to all questions of economic down-turns. Free enterprise doesn’t work unless everybody can dream and have a reasonable hope their dreams can come true. It was categorically impossible for any American brewery to compete, on anything like a level playing field, with AB and Miller/Coors. So our country’s aspiring craft brewers simply didn’t try. They embraced their own wildly creative interpretations of virtually every other style of lager or ale produced anywhere else on the planet. They ceded the ground of wimpy, fizzy yellow Pilsner to the mega-brewers and concentrated on…everything else.

It was, after 80+ years of AB’s ruthless suppression of every brewer who threatened to grown beyond local appeal, the one strategy for which AB and Miller/Coors had no answer. AB/InBev has tried, God Knows, whelping a bizzarre and increasingly-desperate roster of faux-craft beers
,...." Column



15 comments:

Anonymous said...

"Fewer", not "Less".

JPS grad? ;-)

The Grammar Police

can't get right said...

BUDWEISER is a gay beer.

Anonymous said...

This is just another reason Mississippi needs to change our laws on beer. We need more choice on what we can buy. We ought to be able to go downtown and have a freshly brewed craft beer right across the street from the King Edward. We need to have the sales tax. We need the jobs. Even Kenny Stokes can't screw that up. OK, but I had you convinced up to that point.

Anonymous said...

I don't understand how The Beast's sales are down in this economy. Are fewer people going to college? Or is everybody just going for a lower carb, smokeable option for their relaxation needs?

Anonymous said...

Un tequila más por favor.

Anonymous said...

Weihenstephaner - Hefe Weissbier ,

Brewed in Bavaria since the year 1040 .

Try some !

Fast Eddie said...

Europe obviously has the best beer. Guiness, Samuel Smith's, Arkell's, 1858, Perminator, and Das Esche are but a few good examples. The good thing about most of these is that they are locally brewed beer's in their respective countries. We have some outstanding ones here as well. Abita, blackened voodoo, Cherokee, Samuel Adams, Mississippi Mud, and many others. If people only settle for the cheap AB beer, Coor's, and others huge name brands, your missing out. A beer is like a store. If you want cheap made merchandise or semi cheap made merchandise, you go to WalMart. If you want quality, you pay a little more at a high end store. Beer is the same way. If you want cheap then by what the tv is selling, but if you want quality, spend a couple of bucks more and buy locally brewed beer. It's well worth it. KF, you know what I'm talkin about as I have introduced you to some of these. My personal favorite is Abita Turbo Dog. Don't let the name fool you. Budweiser can't touch it. Samuel Adams black label is pretty damn good too. Drink up your pints lads and enjoy something new!

Anonymous said...

I recall the first can of beer I had back in the 60s was a Budweiser. That was the nastiest tasting stuff I ever had.

But the second one was pretty good.

Shadowfax said...

I have no interest in the 'designer beers' coveted by the Fondren crowd and some others. Can't imagine how they seem to enjoy drinking a wide variety of beers instead of sticking to the one whut brought 'em to the dance. Reminds me of the college crowd's (including me) insistance on having Coors before it was legal here to have it. People who switch up beers and smokes are the same people who swap up house keys. I think a survey has revealed this truth. Maybe KFish can locate it.

I'm also tired of nobody stocking Busch Lite in a case, other than Wally World. Gold top Busch is nasty, as is Bud with its headache-producing hops overload.

Miller Light is water. Where the hell is Falstaff when we need a normal, American beer?

Anonymous said...

Me?, I'm tired of 'friends' who smoke the same brand they drink. The O.P. brand. (other people's).

Anonymous said...

All these alternative beers are great, but when I'm ready to pound 20-30 in a day, I want my bud lights.

Anonymous said...

...but when I'm ready to pound 20-30 in a day, I want my bud lights.

Your liver would like to chat with you.

Anonymous said...

Due to our beer laws, the only beer I can drink (gluten free) is Red Bridge made by the Budweiser people. In other states I have a choice of several excellent gluten free beers, all with too much alcohol for Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

Since the Northside Sun crowd is known to be fond of designer beers, I'm surprised more have not posted to this discussion, although about twelve of them have.

Anonymous said...

What do American macro-brews (Bud, Miller, Coors, etc.) have in common with sex in a canoe?

They are both f*cking close to water.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.