I think the point is that many people won't want there money going to Heineken even if Beavertown get to retain control. Also that Heineken will use it's power to squeeze small producers out of the national distribution networks.It’s a minority stake (at the moment at least) so they haven’t sold to Heineken so to speak.
Logan Plant reckons he and his wife are still in control so if that’s the case it’s win-win - Beavertown get a cash injection to help expansion whilst keeping control and Heineken get a share of future profits in the craft beer industry.
Cloudwater have just pulled out of the Extravaganza event which will also mean no more colabs.
The problem comes from the fact that Heineken can then use its distribution might to muscle out other craft beer producers from the shop shelves. This leads to less choice for craft beer consumers and less chance for small producers to get a toehold. Up to now, I've really only seen Beavertown beers in proper bottle shops or on tap. I bet you will start seeing them in your local supermarket soon too. Same with Brixton Brewery, another great craft brewery that's just sold a stake to Heineken.
The long term issue is then those specialist shops disappear and the supermarkets can put the squeeze on the breweries to make the beer cheaper and quality and variety go out the window.Just for the sake of argument, isn't this a good thing - craft beer becoming more widely available in the supermarkets rather than having to go out of your way to find them in specialist shops seems a bonus to me!
The long term issue is then those specialist shops disappear and the supermarkets can put the squeeze on the breweries to make the beer cheaper and quality and variety go out the window.
'Craft' beer, grrrrrr. Hope it all goes t**ts up for them. It's beer, plain and simple.
craft
krɑːft/
noun
i.e. not mass-produced, with little human intervention.
- an activity involving skill in making things by hand.
Lol! And besides, all my beer really is produced by hand but I wouldn't dream of calling it 'craft beer'. What a truly shocking term. Drop that horrendous marketing ploy and I'll support them all the way... if I could forgive them. That goes to the rest of the motley bunch who flog under the 'craft' banner. Excuse me whilst I nip out for a 'farmhouse' loaf. Made in a real tiny, quaint farmhouse in the middle of nowhere with sheep an' stuff milling around outside the door. Not.
@Chippy_Tea - can you change Gunge's "Regular" status to "Craft Brewer" and not allow him to change it back?
I could but as he hasn't had a drink in a while i think i best not.
Enter your email address to join: