AB InBev + SABMiller

Beer brewing, wine aging, whiskey fermenting, soda pop carbonating.  Talk about it here.
Post Reply
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Post by Malcolm »

Inbev is trying to buy SAB, because they can't make a shitty enough pilsner or light beer individually, I guess. That gives them almost total dominance in the shitty beer industry.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Post by Malcolm »

Done, as in "happening." However, it means SABMiller has to split off from MillerCoors.
Elsewhere in the US. Reuters reports that AB InBev is being investigated by the Justice Deparment for anti-competitive practices in the beer market.

AB InBev has been acquiring distributors across the US, and there are concerns that it is using its position to unfairly limit craft breweries access to the market.

Craft beer currently represents 11% of the US beer sector, but is growing quickly. In 2014 craft beer sales rocketed by 17.6% while mainstream beers only managed 0.5% growth.

Maybe you should make ... LESS SHITTY BEER. Here's why this is kind of shitty (in brief):

1. They'll choke distro options for craft brewers, forcing them out of liquor stores and bars.
2. They'll reduce the number of jobs available in the industry.
3. They'll lower prices to crowd out craft brewers.
4. The more brewers they buy up, the fewer creative ones are left to make new and interesting beer.




Edited By Malcolm on 1444931943
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Post by GORDON »

1 - Needs to be solved by the states, removing their "bars can only by beer from the distribution house" laws, if applicable. I recall Florida's were extra harsh, with microbrew/restaurants being unable to sell their own beer in their own restaurant, they had to sell it to the distribution house and then buy it back after a markup. That may have changed recently, don't remember.

3 - Craft brews were already at kind of a premium... I think people who want it will pay for it. I know I would.

4 - I think there's a major glut in microbrew producers... I think there will always be another small company waiting in the wings. I think the only thing that will keep them down is legislation.

All in all, my impression was that this merger only helped microbreweries... people who are already tired of pisswater beer would just embrace microbrews harder... but I hadn't thought of the pressure the massive company could bring to bear using the law to stifle competition.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Post by Malcolm »

The problem is the big companies already own "small" brews like Goose Island, Shock Top, and other pseudo-crafts. If they cut the prices on those and set them out against all the other craft-looking bottles, it means more checking the fine print to see if I'm supporting AB-InBev-SABMiller or someone that doesn't hate taste. Not every microbrewer is Sam Adams, they haven't got the name recognition yet.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Post by Malcolm »

Sued.
The plaintiff writes, "Based on this and other marketing by defendants, reasonable consumers believe that Coors Light sold in the U.S. through defendants is exclusively brewed in the Rockies, and not in other parts of the United States." He also suggests that these false advertisements have allowed MillerCoors to sell Coors Light at a premium price — a price he says he would not have paid if he knew it was not exclusively brewed at the brand's Colorado brewery. A 24-pack of the beer sells for about $15.

Emphasis mine.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Post by GORDON »

Well, maybe "premium" among the pisswater.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by GORDON »

AB InBev just bought Northern Brewer Supplies, one of the big ones, and the brewing community is flipping out about it.

On my phone and can't link.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

GORDON wrote:AB InBev just bought Northern Brewer Supplies, one of the big ones, and the brewing community is flipping out about it.

On my phone and can't link.
Bought Midwest Brewing Supplies, too.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by GORDON »

Malcolm wrote:
GORDON wrote:AB InBev just bought Northern Brewer Supplies, one of the big ones, and the brewing community is flipping out about it.

On my phone and can't link.
Bought Midwest Brewing Supplies, too.
I hadn't heard about that one.

Here's the link I couldn't link before.

http://growlermag.com/big-beer-buys-northern-brewer/

What's their plan, buying up the homebrew recipe suppliers? Just making sure that all beer everywhere puts a dollar in their barrel?
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

ZX Ventures, AB InBev’s disruptive growth organization...
What the fuck? That's a real thing? Why not go all out and call it the Imperial Acquisitions and Monopolization Department?
Northern Brewer’s Todd Jackson released this statement to The Growler:
Image
Nothing will fundamentally change in as the result of this deal—in fact, things will only get better cheaper and shittier, starting with our ingredients.
Friends – I started this business 23 years ago this month because of my passion for quality beer and the joy of brewing from my own home.
Naturally, you sell out to the fuckers who represent the antithesis of those things.
We are convinced that this partnership will be good for us and great for you us. We share the same mission with ZX, to provide “consumers with exceptional piss-water beer experiences, anytime, anywhere.”
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

What's their plan, buying up the homebrew recipe suppliers? Just making sure that all beer everywhere puts a dollar in their barrel?
They can't take out all the microbreweries or compete with them on taste, so they're going for the homebrew market.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by GORDON »

As long as they don't buy out my supplier, Brewer's Best........... dot dot dot....
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

I'm picturing every brew kit shipping with rice and beechwood.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
TPRJones
Posts: 13418
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 2:05 pm
Location: Houston
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by TPRJones »

Don't worry, if they mess it up then new suppliers will replace them. Yay free market.
"ATTENTION: Customers browsing porn must hold magazines with both hands at all times!"
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

TPRJones wrote:Don't worry, if they mess it up then new suppliers will replace them. Yay free market.
At higher prices.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
GORDON
Site Admin
Posts: 54396
Joined: Sun Jun 06, 2004 10:43 pm
Location: DTManistan
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by GORDON »

And startups are great when they are local, they will take forever to find their way to me.

But actually, my local beer supply place DOES have their own grain bins.... I'll be fine, I'd just lose the easy, all-inclusive, self contained kits.
"Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid."
Malcolm
Posts: 32040
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 1:04 pm
Location: Minneapolis

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by Malcolm »

GORDON wrote:And startups are great when they are local, they will take forever to find their way to me.
Another benefit of city living. Shit, local breweries have monthly tappings at the pub a couple blocks away.
But actually, my local beer supply place DOES have their own grain bins.... I'll be fine, I'd just lose the easy, all-inclusive, self contained kits.
I find the exacting directions to be a bit rigid.
Diogenes of Sinope: "It is not that I am mad, it is only that my head is different from yours."
Arnold Judas Rimmer, BSC, SSC: "Better dead than smeg."
TPRJones
Posts: 13418
Joined: Fri May 21, 2004 2:05 pm
Location: Houston
Contact:

Re: AB InBev + SABMiller

Post by TPRJones »

That might explain the bad beer.
"ATTENTION: Customers browsing porn must hold magazines with both hands at all times!"
Post Reply