The “Beer War” rages on as the popularity of craft beer grows and takes market share from the big guys. Recently, Steve Hindy from Brooklyn Brewery wrote an opinion piece on the potential impact of a Modelo / AB-InBev merger. WIth the purchase, AB-InBev would gain additional market share and wield more power and influence in an industry already dominated by the big breweries.
Nine days after Hindy’s piece was published, Tom Long of MillerCoors fired back with his own opinion piece. The point Long is trying to make is very clear: MillerCoors brews Light American Lager and, in their opinion, brews it well. They should not be judged by their size but rather by the fact that they brew good beer within their style.
Have craft beer enthusiast lost sight of what really matters: producing good beer, as Long would suggest? In our humble opinion Long misses the mark in his argument. MillerCoors may well produce the best American Light Lager on the planet, no one is arguing that. However, the majority of craft beer drinkers prefer more complex and robust beer options. The concern lies with the fact that as the big breweries snatch up market share, they also claim more shelf space thereby limiting craft options.
Where will the “Beer War” net out as craft breweries continue to chip away at the big boys and the big boys continue to smother craft breweries? We’re not sure but we are certain that craft breweries will continue to be scrappy and innovative which is more than we can say about the big breweries.
