Beer News Blog

Around here, we love a fresh idea, especially when it has to do with our favorite beverage - BEER!  Lion Nathan, a New Zealand-based brewer has created a line of beer intended to be viewed as … well … different.  At a time when most of the beer world is scrambling to differentiate themselves, or purchase brands that differentiate themselves, Lion Nathan is out there getting it done. 

Their new line up, dubbed “MASH”, offers three new brews that will be introduced in the New Zealand market shortly.  The MASH lineup consists of MASH Golden Lager, MASH Citrus Lager and MASH Energy Lager.  MASH Golden Lager is a smooth and refreshing beer, MASH Citrus Lager is similar, yet offers a hint of lime flavor and MASH Energy Lager contians guarana, a supplement used as an energy boost. 

“MASH is unlike an other beer currently available, both in terms of brand personality and actual beer.  The brand launch is just the beginning of a new era in beer innovation at Lion Nathan that is completely driven by customer need,” says Ben Wheeler, MASH marketing manager. 

The idea behind MASH, is that the brand allows its consumers to mash their beer with other elements of their lifestyle.  As Lion Nathan mashes new ingredients and flavors into their brews, so too should consumers find new ways and new situations to incorporate beer-drinking into their lifestyles.  If you feel like having a beer with lime, reach for MASH Citrus. If you feel like partying all night long, have a MASH Energy.  If you feel like enjoying a good quality beer, have a MASH Golden Lager.  But more importantly, the brand asks the consumer to create their own occasions and instances when a MASH product should be consumed.

This is a unique marketing approach, certainly a departure from the “drink a beer with your buddies while watching the game” notion that has been pressed upon beer consumers for the better part of a century.  Brands like A-B, Miller and Coors have spent billions associating their brands with sporting events, while the thought behind the MASH brand is that the consumer will find new ways to enjoy beer. 

It will be interesting to see how the brand goes over amongst New Zealand’s beer drinking community.  If you see MASH at your local grocery or liquor store, chances are it went well.  If this is the first and last time you hear about MASH, I’ll bet Lion Nathan gets a new marketing manager.

We’ve discussed the growth of craft beer on this site numerous times, and today will be no different!  As the awareness of “better tasting beer” continues to spread amongst American consumers, craft beer companies are posting huge gains.  Popular craft beer brand, Boston Beer, is the latest to see their sales jump in the double digits.  Posting a 17% jump in sales during their fiscal 2006, Boston Beer is poised to gain an even larger market share in the next year.  As a result “crafty” investors are beginning to take notice, and make some nice dividends.

Boston Beer, known mostly for their popular Samuel Adams brands, has seen its second consecutive double digit gain after growing 12% in 2005.  After selling a then mind-blowing 1,364 barrels of their brew in 2005, Boston Beer saw that number grow to 1,612 in 2006.  “We believe we gained share of both the ‘Better Beer’ and ‘Craft Beer’ categories in 2006,” said Jim Koch, chairman of Boston Beer and prominent figure in the company’s “small business”-style advertising campaign.

Perhaps the idea of a small company is what appeals to consumers.  There has been an undeniable shift in the last two years away from the “big beer brands” such as Budweiser, Miller and Coors.  As more and more beer enthusiasts become familiar with smaller breweries and the idea of craft beer, their dollars are increasingly being spent in this segment.  In 2006 Boston Beer reported a net income of $18.2 million or $1.27 per share, up from 2005’s $15.6 million or $1.07 per share.  Similarly, overall revenue climbed to $315.3 million in 2006, up from $263.3 the year before.

Although their brewing operations take place in Cincinnati, Boston Beer is considering opening a new brewery closer to the company’s namesake of Boston, Mass.  Boston Beer has an option on land in Freetown, Mass.  The move would do much for their “hometown”, “small business” image, a marketing ploy that could bring their business to their projected $1.42 per share in 2007.

Boston Beer Inc. is a craft brewer whose brands include Samuel Adams Beer and Twisted Tea.

There are times in all of our lives when we need a little help along the way. In the wake of the catastrophic events surrounding Hurricane Katrina, many people wanted to help the residents of the New Orleans, but few knew how to help. The Brantley Baptist Center, however, knew exactly what needed to be done - they needed to get displaced residents into a safe, comfortable environment as soon as possible. Bringing those who had lost everything in the storm back to a sense of normalcy by putting a roof back over their heads and good, nutritiuos foods back into their bellies.

A chance meeting between Micro Matic and the Brantley Baptist Center occurred when the Micro Matic staff was in New Orleans for the 2007 Cheers Beverage Conference, an event for foodservice and hospitality executives that was held January 29th and 30th. It just so happened Micro Matic had brought a walk-in refrigerator to the show as a part of their exhibit. At the show, exhibitors and attendees saw first hand the devastation left in the wake of last year’s hurricane season. Micro Matic was introduced to a representative of the Brantley Baptist Center and learned about the incredible work they were doing for the people of New Orleans.

They had provided lodging and other amenities for hundreds of displaced New Orleans residents because they were fortunate enough to have avoided the flooding that had damaged the vast majority of the city. Unfortunately, their walk-in refrigerator and cooler were destroyed in the storm, limiting their ability to serve meals to those who so desperately needed their help. That’s when it donned on Micro Matic to donate the walk-in refrigerator they had brought to the show.

“It made perfect sense for us to donate the walk-in refrigerator, which we had shipped to New Orleans to use as an Exhibitor at the Cheers Conference, to a local organization that has done so much for victims of Hurricane Katrina and could benefit from its use.” said Peter Muzzonigro, Micro Matic President. “We were happy to offer a helping hand to The Brantley Center, whose mission is to provide aid to so many in need.”

“This donation will be very useful to our work. Our center did not suffer the flooding that struck 85% of New Orleans - but we did lose both our walk-in refrigerator and freezer to Hurricane Katrina.” says Dr. Tobey Pitman, Executive Director of The Brantley Center.

The Brantley Center, which also serves as a dormitory that provides food and shelter for volunteers from all over the country who have come to help the victims of Katrina, received the refrigerator at the conclusion of the Cheers Conference when Micro Matic employees disassembled it, transferred it to the center and reassembled it for the center’s staff, volunteers and the residents. The 6 x 8 x 10 foot refrigerator, which has a fully galvanized stainless steel and aluminum exterior and interior walls, is typically used by full-service restaurants throughout the United States. Today, the refrigerator is being used to restore order and normalcy to the lives of hundreds of New Orleans residents struggling to get back on their feet. We hope our small donation goes along way for the amzing workers, volunteers and residents of The Brantley Center.

If you would like to make a contribution to the Brantley Baptist Center you can do so by contacting them at:

Brantley Baptist Center 201 Magazine St. New Orleans, Louisiana 70130 504-523-5751

The powers that be have been very busy lately, and it seems an alliance may take place between the two biggest players in the global beer market.  Although nothing has been finalized, rumors of a merger between A-B and InBev are flying all over the information super highway.  Stocks for both corporations are soaring, analysts everywhere are chiming in on the pros and cons, Europeans are preparing themselves for Budweisers and American are getting ready for a big splash of Stella.  A merger could be just what the doctor ordered for the beer giants by breaking down barriers that have been in place for the better part of a century.  Dominant in their own backyards, an A-B/InBev merger would give each company a home field on foreign soil.

A-B and InBev have already been to bed together; in November the two struck a deal that allowed A-B to distribute InBev’s beer throughout the United States.  A-B’s distribution network is one of the most sought after vehicles in the entire beverage industry.  Get into it and you can pretty much put the down payment on that $5 million house you’ve been dreaming of, swing by your local Ferrari dealership for a new 360 Modena and put your kids, their kids and their kids kids through private school.  In other words, you’re coast to coast instantly.  Striking the deal was the first step towards a merger that would give A-B the same treatment in European markets.

A-B is the world’s largest beer company based on revenue, InBev is the world’s largest beer company based on volume.  By joining forces, the two businesses would own a fourth of the world’s beer market.  A-B desperately needs new territories as the popularity of wine and spirits in the United States continues to grow at a geometric rate.  InBev needs a stronger foothold on the US market.  The merger would solve everyone’s problems.

The question remains, will it happen?  This beer writer isn’t too certain.  Let’s look at the facts: if the merger would happen to occur the Busch family would have to relinquish their family’s control over Anheuser and their famous Budweiser, a move their not too keen on making.  Why? Pride, power, tradition?  It’s possible, but more than likely the age old factor - money.  Today, the family owns a small percentage of the company, but they’ve just placed the next generation into the CEO’s office, August A. Busch IV.  The board of directors will give him the time he needs to turn things around stateside, but if he fails the merger with InBev will probably still be on the table.  Busch IV’s father is a prominent and powerful board member and he’s been pulling for his son since he assumed the Chief Executive role.  His sway with the other members will be tested as InBev dangles the keys to European cities in front of them.

Stay tuned!

While much of the health, fitness and wellness industries are stressing that we should all drink less alcohol (with beer being one of their main targets) real, concrete evidence of the life saving properties of beer-bellies is on the rise.  Sure, we should all get to the gym more often to work off our unsightly middle sections.  Perhaps  we could spend a little less time enjoying brews with our buddies while watching the big game  Of course we all know that water is more healthy than Budweisers, Newcastles, Coronas and other brews.  But by goodness, we’re not stopping!

That’s because that spare tire you’re wearing above your beltline might just save your life.  While fitness instructors, dieticians and other so-called “experts” are preaching that we lose our guts or risk an early death, beer bellies are actually saving lives.  That’s right, while scientiests “theorize” the damaging effects of excess bulge, one beer belly said “No!”  One beer belly had the courage to stand up to The Man and risk it all to save the human to whom it is attached.

Andrew Creed, a truck driver in the United Kingdom, was saved from certain death by his long-term relationship with beer.  While driving his route, his truck was attacked by a hijacker.  Creed was pushed out of the vehicle by his assailant, but managed to hang on to the door for a short ways.  When the hijacker began swerving the vehicle to dislodge its former driver Creed lost his grip.  He fell under the truck and watched as the wheels began to run over him.

Creed thought he was dead for certain, as any non-beer drinking man would have been.  But this was a beer drinking man, and all those suds he’d sunk into his gut were about to pay off.  After the 18-wheeler rolled over his body Creed stood up shocked to still be alive.  He suffered only two broken fingers and minor bruising thanks in large part to his large beer belly.  Doctors are calling it a miracle, I’m calling it a job well done.

So when someone takes a look at your gut and shoots you a “Seriously, lay off the Budweisers” look, you just remember old Andrew Creed and the beer belly that saved his life.  So a toast to Mr. Creed, but more importantly a toast to the beer-belly.  For without this wonderful sack of flesh, this world would be one truck driver short.

Cheers!

It seems our friends at Anheuser-Busch have been very busy in this very short year.  2007 is barely two weeks old and yet Mr. August A. Busch IV and his tiny little brewery are already making some waves.  A-B will be making two new additions to the family and they have some spiffy new bottles to coincide with the NFL playoffs and impending Super Bowl.  It seems the newly appointed president has no intentions of letting his company’s sales slump - it also seems, A-B will be snatching up (at least a piece) of every brewery up for sale.

The newest conquests in A-B’s quest to own every beer manufactured on the planet are Old Dominion and Czechvar.  Old Dominion is fairly strong player in the craft beer world of the Northwest.  Operating mainly in the Virginia and Maryland markets, Old Dominion is well-known for its popularity amongst locals, a stable of the “true pubs” of the area.  While the company will not fall squarely into the hands of A-B (a fairly complicated deal involving A-B, Ram’s Head and Fordham.  Old Dominion will become the latest in A-B’s ever-expanding roster of craft beers joining Redhook, Widmer, Kona and Goose Island.

The deal to acquire the rights to distribute Czechvar in the United States is evidence of A-B’s desire to acquire foreign labels.  The reason being, A-B has been in legal battles with Czechbar’s brewer, Budvar, for decades.  Budvar has long claimed the rights to the name Budweiser and is embroiled in legal battles across the globe with A-B.  It seems the latest Busch to run the A-B empire is willing to look the other way to bring a great import stateside.  Coincidentally, A-B is probably the only company capable of taking the Czechvar brand coast to coast in the US.  A-B’s incredible distribution channel is the only way coast to coast distribution is possible for Czechvar, since Budvar’s master brewmeister created a 105-day sell date.

Finally, in more light-hearted, less-businessy news, A-B will have some new and unique packaging for their Budweiser and Bud Light brands.  The South Florida market will get its hands on some gridiron-inspired 12-ounce bottles just in time for the NFL’s playoffs.  A-B began distributing the bottles in late December.  The same market will also be the first to see the 16-ounce Budweiser Select aluminum “club bottle”.  Many of you have undoubtely seen the blue and red variations for Bud Light and Budwesier, respectfully.

Stay tuned for more interesting updates in the world of A-B!

I know I should be writing the news, but this evening I’m feeling a little inspired.  And what the heck, it’s the holidays, ’tis the season to be creative.

I know I should be writing, but I’m not in the mood

So how about a poem, from the Southern California dude?

The holidays are here, and your wallet’s in a slump

But here are some words to cure your holiday grump

The big day is almost here and you’re ready to leave

Hopefully your boss will call a half day to give you reprieve

The freeways will be jammed-packed full of cars

And they’ll be closing down restaurants, shops and BARS

But fear not my friends, don’t be in a fit

The liquor store’s OPEN sign will still be lit

You can get your Modelo, your Corona, your Tecate

It doesn’t matter if you’ve been nice or naughty

Get your wife some Michelob Ultra and Miller Lite

Hopefully, she’s making sure her figure stays right

Yes get your Newcastle, your Guiness, your Stout

A beer with your buddies is what the holidays are all about!

Don’t forget Bud Light and Budweiser too,

“Cause this is Budeweiser, this is true”

Crack open a beer whether original or light

And say “Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!”

Steve Hindy was a correspondent to the Associated Press, operating in Cairo, when he discovered the wonders of craft beer.  After meeting up with staff members at the US Embassy, Hindy complained about the lack of good beer in Egypt.  That’s when his new found friends let him in on their little secret, they were actually brewing their own beer.  After tasting their wondrous brew, Hindy had a moment.  It was the kind of moment when you realize your life’s calling - BEER!

Hindy moved back to the States and began pondering what it would take to start his own brewery, specializing in craft beers.  Living in Brooklyn, New York, a neighborhood that was once bustling with breweries, inspiration was all around him.  He began brewing beer from his apartment and served his suds to his neighbors.  They enjoyed his concoctions, marveling at the flavors Hindy was able to produce from his own home.

Hindy knew he had a good product, it just needed a great marketing pitch.  He decided to call his beer Brooklyn Beer, banking on the notoriety of the famous New York borough.  His idea was right on.  In its first year, Brooklyn Beer sold a respectable 1,768 cases.  This year, Hindy’s little operation has grown to an eye-opening 800,000 cases.

While mainly sold on the East Coast, Brooklyn Beer is slowly expanding throughout the US and abroad.  This year the craft brew moved into the Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Alabama markets as well as Norway, Switzerland, Britain, Hong Kong, Japan, Finland, Denmark and Sweden.  Apparently, the whole world loves this Wise Guy’s beer!

You know, I’ve been thinking about making a beer of my own …

Well, well folks - it’s Thanksgiving again!  For some of us it’s a time to overeat, become a couch potato and watch some good football.  For me, Thanksgiving represents the one day in my life where it’s acceptable to have a beer at my parent’s house.  In fact, Thanksgiving was the first time I ever had a beer in front of my father.  Each year, I’m reminded of the simple pleasure of popping a cold one with my old man, talking about life and which team we think is going all the way in both the BCS and the NFL.

The first time I ever had a brew with my old man was when I was 18 years old.  It was my senior year of high schol and I had just signed to play football at UCLA.  He knew the opportunity to sit around the house and B.S. with his youngest son was coming to an end, I was just looking for the chance to down some suds and not got grounded.  My dad’s from Texas, so naturally his favorite beer is Lone Star, but in its absence he likes to drink Budweiser.  So on that particular Thursday afternoon the beers would be ice cold, bottled Budweisers.

My mother was upstairs tending to my older brother and his latest steady girlfriend, so my dad and I snuck out to the back yard.  We brought the beers, a tennis ball and the family German Shepherd.  My dad threw the ball for the anxious K-9 and had his first gulp of Bud.  Nervously, I followed suit with my own.  He started in with the whole “Well, son you’re all grown up now …” speech, but there was something different in him that day.  He had been visibly shaken on my 18th birthday, his youngest son was all grown up.  Now I could see the emotion starting to well up in him.

My father had raised both my older brother and I in his own mold.  He had played football in college, and had a small stint in Minor League Baseball.  My older brother was the baseball player, going on to play at a small private school in San Diego.  I, on the other hand, had taken to football and was headed to Westwood for school.  My father had a deep appreciation for UCLA and its winning tradition, and was very proud of the fact that I was headed there in a few months.  On this day, however, the often selfish love of a father shown threw.  As happy as he was that I was going, he was sad to see me leave.

See, my father wasn’t the type that you would find in an episode of “Beyond the Glory” or “E! True Hollywood Story”, he was always there for me.  He taught me how to throw a baseball, shoot a basketball and make a tackle.  My successes had always been his successes and he knew I was always happy to share the limelight with him.  Going to UCLA was the culmination of both his and my hard work, yet he knew at this point his hard work was done.  He would be able to rest his head at night, knowing he had reached his goal of seeing me advance to a new level of competition, one that most prep players would never see.

As I saw his eyes begin well up with emotion, the warm and blurry moisture started to flow from me as well.  We looked at each other with the utmost admiration and respect for one another, not as father and son but as two men who had spent a lifetime working towards one goal.  I embraced him tightly recalling my time as a young boy getting in a three point stance in our backyard.  And he held me tight as if I were still small enough to hang from his neck - recalling the times I used to attempt to tackle him in the halls of our home.

We didn’t say a word to each other, we both knew exactly what the other meant in his look.  The tennis ball was thrown a few more times and the German Shepherd was glad to chase it.  Budweisers finished, we headed back into the house to watch John Madden give away the 8-legged turkey to Emmit Smith. 

To this day that tradition remains.  We grab a beer, head to the backyard and toss the ball for my father’s dog.  We talk about life and football and enjoy a nice brew.  This year I’m bringing down a case of Firestone from San Luis Obispo.  I can’t wait!

Let us know what beer you drink with your father, drop us a line in the comments section and let us know.

Or at least that’s what numerous the beer giants would want you to believe. The holidays are rapidly approaching and that means it’s time to have a couple.  You may want to escape your Aunt Edna, or maybe just relax and watch a game with your old college buddies.  Either way, nothing says holidays like an ice cold brew.  Below I’ve put together a little list of unique flavors that will be hitting shelves in the upcoming months.  The theme of the year appears to be chocolate, as both A-B and Miller Brewing Co. will be launching their own variations of chocolate lager.

Miller Brewing Co. recently announced they will be releasing a chocolate lager named for the company’s founder.  Frederick Miller Classic Chocolate Lager will hit six Midwest markets this month - Cleveland, Chicago, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, Valparaiso, Ind., and throughout Wisconsin.  The brew will remain on shelves through the end of the year, establishing itself at those two very small affairs known as the Holidays and New Year’s Eve.  Never heard of them …

“…the holidays are a good time to bring out a chocolate beer because it’s the time when people are indulging and going to parties,” said Pete Marino, a spokesman for the Milwaukee-based brewer.

Not to be outdone by their close, but still in second place rivals, A-B will also be launching a chocolate flavored brew.  A-B will release the chocolate beer as a part of their Michelob Celebrate line.  You may remember Michelob Celebrate from last holiday season, when A-B tapped the brand to release a “vanilla oak” lager.  Yummm?  This year Michelob Celebrate will benefit from being sold beyond just the tap, making its debut on store shelves in 4-pack bottles.  Coinciding with the release of the chocolote flavored holiday-themed beer, Michelob Celebrate will also have pumpkin flavored beer for the fall and a vanilla-flavored bourbon ale for the winter.  For some reason vanilla bourbon just sounds a lot better than vanilla oak, right?

Analysts point out the release of the beers may just be a ploy to restimulate consumer interest into a slumping beer market.  Many have been quick to point out the big boys have been taking cues from the growing craft beer markets as a means to bring back customers.  With the success of many small craft brewers experimenting with unique flavors, A-B, Miller, Coors and the others may have to play copycat to earn their customers back.  Stay tuned!