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February 22, 2012

Search Results Category: Macrobreweries

February 11, 2012

Modelo Especial Looks to Gain Even More in 2012

by bryancarey — Categories: About Beer, Breweries, Imports, Macrobreweries — Tags: , , , , , — No Comments

2011 wasn’t the best year for the beer industry. Overall sales were down slightly, forcing breweries everywhere to initiate cost- cutting measures, look for ways to revive brands, and attempt to regain market share. Craft brewing operation fared the best in the past year, while many of the big breweries barely held their own.

 

But there are a few silver linings among big brewers and one of them is Modelo Especial. First brewed in 1925, Modelo Especial is one of the largest imported beers in the United States. It is the fastest growing brand within the Crown Imports portfolio by overall volume and continues to outperform the industry. Here are some facts from the past year:

 

  • Modelo Especial surpassed 35 million annual case depletions and set annual depletions record for the 20th straight year (Source: Crown Internal Depletions).
  • Modelo Especial solidified its position as the number three bestselling import beer brand, while establishing itself as the 14th largest beer brand in SIG rankings.
  • By June of 2012, Modelo Especial and Negra Modelo Draft will expand to 14 new states (from 27 to 41).
  • Modelo Especial gained more dollar share than any other brand in 2011 (Source: S-IRI)
  • Depletion trends of +13.7% vs. prior year outperformed the industry by approximately 16% and other imports by approximately 15% according to Beer Institute and Crown internal depletions data
  • Finished 2011 ranked #3 Import and surpassed Bud Light Lime to become the #14 overall beer brand in 2011.

 

With numbers like these, Modelo Especial is on its way to becoming a top ten beer in the United States. Craft beer lovers are often divided on Modelo Especial, but most agree that it is better than the average south- of- the border brew and its growing popularity shows that the beer does have an appeal that attracts beer drinkers from all categories.

 

2011 may be a year to forget for many of the big brewers, but the future looks bright for Modelo Especial. It easily outperformed the other big guys like Anheuser- Busch Inbev and Miller and with interstate  expansion planned for 2012, it will likely prove to be the best year yet for this popular Mexican import.

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January 3, 2012

Budweiser to Sponsor a new Reality Television Program

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic, Macrobreweries — Tags: , , — No Comments

Beer and sports are natural accompaniments. It is widely known that beer companies rely on sports to help encourage beer sales and attendees at sporting events and viewers of sports on television do not need to look far to see and hear the names of specific brands of beer.

 

Among the brands promoted at sporting events, Anheuser- Busch InBev is the brewer whose advertisements are most widely seen so it may not come as a surprise to discover that the so- called “king of beers” is considering promoting its name through a somewhat different but related marketing channel. Starting in January, 2012, Anheuser- Busch InBev is going to sponsor its own reality program. Titled Budweiser: The Big Time, this reality program is going to focus on competitions in different sports and in different activities.

 

Now, what exactly would encourage Budweiser to sponsor a reality television program? Well, (more…)

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October 27, 2011

American Beer Day: A Time to Reflect

by bryancarey — Categories: About Beer, Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic, Macrobreweries, Microbrews — Tags: , , , , — No Comments

October 27 isn’t just the day that falls four days before Halloween. It is now recognized as American Beer Day- a day to celebrate the brewing industry, its history, its influence, and the many great contributions American beer has made to our quality of life.

 How important is beer? Well, consider these facts: Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the United States, where more than 1,700 breweries produce more than 6 billion gallons of beer each year.  Breweries across America include large, well-known macro- breweries such as Anheuser- Busch InBev, Miller, and Coors as well as regional brands and locally brewed craft beer brands. American pale lager is still the most popular style, but American breweries produce products of distinction across the spectrum.

 

Industry- wide, the trend is toward craft beer. The big breweries still control the market, but their dominance is waning. The craft beer industry gained momentum in the 1980’s, surged in the 1990’s, fell back a little in the early 2000’s, and is now expanded rapidly again in this, the second decade of the twenty- first century. As tastes continue to mature, there is no reason to believe that this trend will reverse in the coming years.

 

The American brewing industry has gone through many different phases and has experienced many highs and lows. Yes, the brewing industry was forced to endure the thirteen years of anti- American, anti- freedom insanity known as prohibition during the early part of the 1900’s. But America repented for this ghastly sin and repealed the prohibition amendment in 1933. Today, the industry is back on its feet and thriving like never before, with new breweries opening weekly and with malt beverage products that rival the finest in the world.

 

So, as October 27 winds down, take some time to reflect on the brewing industry and what beer means to you personally. Pay a visit to your local brewery, buy a six pack of your favorite brand, or otherwise find some way to pay your respects to the world’s greatest beverage and the men and women who work hard to brew, package, and distribute your favorite brands each day.

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October 9, 2011

Anheuser- Busch and SABMiller, Together as One?

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Breweries, Domestic, Macrobreweries — Tags: , , , , , , — No Comments

Anheuser- Busch InBev, the largest brewing operation in the world, has reportedly been in talks to purchase the second largest brewer, SABMiller, in what would be one of the largest takeovers in corporate history.

 

 

According to the Brazilian news website IG, SABMiller has been talking with Anheuser- Busch InBev for some time about a potential sale of the business to its larger foe. Spokespersons on both ends decline to comment on the deal, but SABMiller shares spiked in price last week when the news hit the street.

 

The thought of a merger of any type between Anheuser- Busch InBev and SABMiller doesn’t sit well with many people for numerous reasons. For one, the partnership reeks of potential monopoly. Both companies are already very big and the idea of them becoming one would be like Toyota purchasing Ford Motor. These two businesses are not based in the United States anymore so any merger between the two would not be subject to U.S. anti- trust overview, but it still concerns some people just the same.

 

Then, there is the mere idea of old rivalries joining together in unison. As anyone in the United States knows, Miller and Anheuser- Busch were bitter rivals for decades and the thought of these two enemies becoming a single company just doesn’t feel right. Add to this the fact that SABMiller owns a portion of Molson Coors and the feelings of uneasiness become even more vivid. Anheuser- Busch, Miller, and Coors products sold by the same company?- the thought sends shivers down my tall boy.

 

Most financial analysts say there is no reason to worry about this deal going through because, among other things, the cost would be staggering. Anheuser- Busch InBev would have to cough up somewhere in the neighborhood of $70 to $100 billion to seal a deal this large. InBev had to borrow a huge sum of money when it purchased Anheuser- Busch back in 2008 and, as of June 30, 2011, still has more than $40 billion in debt. Given a debt load this large, coupled with the difficult global economy, it is unlikely that Anheuser- Busch InBev would be able to purchase its closest rival, even if it wanted to.

 

No one has confirmed or denied any rumors yet, so there is still an outside chance that this marriage may actually reach consummation. I don’t believe it will, but be prepared for the pitter-patter of Anheuser- Busch/Miller/Coors feet if the deal becomes reality.

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October 2, 2011

2011 Great American Beer Festival Winners

by bryancarey — Categories: Award Winning, Beer Travel, Breweries, Brewpubs, Competitions, Festivals, Macrobreweries, Microbrews — Tags: , , , , , , — No Comments

2011 Great American Beer Festival is now officially over. It ran from September 29 through October 1 and it will go down in the books as the largest yet. A total of 526 breweries took part in this year’s festival, contributing a total of 3,930 beers to the competition. The numbers are up significantly from last year and with growth in the craft beer industry at its present level, the figures are bound to be even higher in 2012.

 

Great American Beer Festival, photo by Jason E. Kaplan

 

A total of 248 medals were handed out to well- deserving breweries across the United States. Here is a list of 2011 winners:

(more…)

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September 15, 2011

Amstel Wheat Bier Ready to Launch

by bryancarey — Categories: Beer Media, Imports, Macrobreweries — Tags: , , , , , — No Comments

Amstel, a Dutch brand sold under the Heineken umbrella, has announced a new beer. The product is Amstel Wheat Bier and it is going to be offered first in upscale taverns and pubs in seven U.S. cities: New York, Boston, Providence, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Chicago, and San Francisco. Distribution across the United States is planned for later this year.

 

According to Amstel, this new wheat bier is an authentic European wheat beer brewed according to Amstel’s strict craftsmanship. Amstel Wheat will offer a deep golden hue with hints of orange and amber. The aroma will emphasize floral notes, fruit, and bread while the taste will be slightly fruity with delicate hops. The flavour will lean toward the sweet side and will likely be smooth and drinkable. 

 

Samples of Amstel Wheat will be provided at consumer sampling events with the beer served in authentic European wheat bier glassware. This type of glass is tall and includes a wider rim. It is intended to highlight the taste and appearance of wheat beer and it should help to showcase the product’s look and aroma.

 

Amstel hasn’t introduced a new product in more than ten years so the addition of Amstel Wheat to the lineup is certainly welcome news. However, when I imagine what this new beer will be like, I can’t help but display my skeptical side. After all, Amstel products are not known for their memorable taste and do not come even close to the flavor and complexity exhibited by a fine craft brew. Amstel Light, the company’s best selling brand, is very weak and watery and my concern is that Amstel Wheat will be nothing more than a wheat- enhanced clone of the company’s flagship product.

 

I won’t know for sure whether Amstel Wheat will prove itself worthy until the product gains national distribution so I will save any official criticism until then. Who knows- it might turn out to be a worthwhile brew with a taste and quality on the level of Amstel Gold or Amstel 1870 (two of the better Amstel products, although both are far from stellar). It could be one of the better products in the Amstel family and a beer for the ages. It could surpass Amstel Light and even other American and German wheat beers in overall quality and taste. It could win national awards and take home dozens of medals to its parent Heineken.

 

It could do any number of great things, but I wouldn’t bet on any of them.

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August 5, 2011

Budweiser Makes a Change

by bryancarey — Categories: Macrobreweries — Tags: , , , , — No Comments

Budweiser, the self- proclaimed King of Beers, is about to undergo a change in design.

Bowtie Design

 

Budweiser has experienced much change in the past few years, particularly in its ownership. By now, most everyone is aware of the takeover by InBev and the loss of Anheuser- Busch as an exclusive American company. Change has been rapid at A-B, and with this change the company has decided to remake the beer’s packaging. It will now sport a “bowtie” design, one that sports a red- colored bow- tie shaped area with the Budweiser name in the middle.

This change in design might seem a little odd for a product that already sells so well. After all, if a product enjoys high sales, any attempt at change is inevitably going to be met with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” routine. This would have likely been the rallying cry at the old Anheuser- Busch, but as everyone knows, A-B is no longer an exclusively American company. It is now owned by a Belgian/Brazilian business that is progressive in its philosophy and ready to remake the company in a new and forward- thinking image.

According to officials at InBev, the change to the design is an effort to reinforce Budweiser’s position as a global brand. Budweiser, they say, is a big selling brew and change is needed to reflect the times and keep the beer in- tune with its loyal consumer base. However, it is likely also a move intended to boost sales. Budweiser is still a top- selling brand, but its sales in 2010 have dropped and it is far from its market- leading sales peak from many years ago.

Budweiser has sported twelve different packaging versions since 1936, so a change in uniform is nothing new to the business. It will be interesting to see if this new bowtie design has any real impact on the beer, its following, and ultimately its sales, which have been slumping as of late.

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May 15, 2010

Budweiser Select: Bland and Forgettable

by strive4impact — Categories: Macrobreweries — No Comments

Budweiser Select: Yet Another Attempt by Anheuser- Busch to Lighten its Product and Increase Sales

budselect.jpg

(more…)

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November 15, 2009

Bacardi Silver Raz: No Rum Here, just a Crisp, Clean, Refreshing Malt Beverage

by strive4impact — Categories: Macrobreweries — 7 Comments

Bacardi Silver Raz is a refreshing alternative to regular beer with a good balance between sweet and tart.

(more…)

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October 12, 2009

Michelob Porter isn’t Pretty, but the Taste is Acceptable

by strive4impact — Categories: Macrobreweries — No Comments

I love most all styles of beer, but I have a special affection for dark brew. Given an open choice, I will almost always select a dark beer such as porter or stout instead of a lighter beer like a pilsner or wheat ale. I also tend to judge these types of beer more harshly and one beer that meets my strict requirements, but not by much, is Michelob Porter, an American, all- malt porter.

michelobporter.jpg

Beer Bio:
Style: American Porter
Alcohol Level: 5.9 Percent by Volume
Calories: 180 per 12 oz. serving
Carbs: 13.2 grams per 12 oz. serving
Michelob Porter is a dark brew, sporting a mostly brown body with ruby accents. The nose on this porter emphasizes caramel, light roasted, malt, and a touch of cocoa. This beer is very fizzy and the small head of foam dissolves into nothing in a very short time, leaving behind a glass of beer that looks like a soft drink. The flavors present include roasted malt, coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and a touch of cherry/raspberry. The body of this beer is medium and crisp, with a finish that is slightly bitter.
Anheuser- Busch is a company with a large product line and it continues to expand into new terrorities. Most of the Anheuser- Busch craft beer attempts have been marketed under the Michelob lineup and Michelob Porter follows this established trend. I can agree that this porter certainly offers some nice qualities, such as its complex array of flavors that includes everything from chocolate to coffee to cherry. But Michelob Porter has other qualities that are less than appealing and the most obvious is the downright ugly appearance. The color is nice, but a pour into your favorite glass produces large bubbles that gather in bunches on the sides of the glass, making the beer look like a fountain soft drink. The barely noticebale head of foam fizzes into nothing in a matter of seconds, making for a most unpleasant first impression.
Aside from the appearance, Michelob Porter does have a few good qualities. There is a decent level of complexity and I appreciate the attempt to blend together so many different flavors into one product. The beer is medium in body and crisp due to the fizziness more than anything else. But the taste is far from the great flavor I expect in a world class porter. It isn’t bad, but my porter- seasoned taste buds expect something a little more memorable.
I like that Anheuser- Busch has given in to market pressures and continues to produce craft- oriented beer products. The company has scored a roughly equal share of hits and misses and Michelob Porter ranks as a middle of the road attempt at producing a quality craft porter. It’s tough to get past such a hideous physical appearance, but Michelob Porter is a respectable effort from Michelob that could be even better with some more attention to detail.
Rating: 6 Cheers out of 10

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