tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post6431444540498311199..comments2024-02-20T09:10:35.971-05:00Comments on Fuggled: The Truth of Session Culture Is Out ThereAlistair Reecehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15929927359428659775noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-3406249941888571212011-06-30T16:47:31.867-04:002011-06-30T16:47:31.867-04:00In all truth I don't really think it has anyth...In all truth I don't really think it has anything to do with the markets reluctance of buying them specifically. I think it has two do with two, IMO, equally large problems. <br /><br />1) The training of most brewers never involves the difficult task of making a delicious low gravity beer. Not just making them but understanding that not all ingredients are equal. US 2-row is not the same as UK 2-row. The low gravity beers 100% suffer<br /><br />2) maybe even more important is the cost. Not the cost to brew them. My new brewery will be making one and they are very cheap to make. I'm talking cost to the customer. The US is one of the only places I've seen 'flat costs' for kegs to breweries and pints to customers. Eg they'll pay nearly the same for a IPA as a mild. Even worse are the pubs that buy a mild for half the cost of an IPA and still charge $6 a pint for the mild. IPA or mild for $6...its a no brainer for most. <br /><br />I suggested that people should not pay over $3 a pint for a beer thats 3% and was piledrived by bar owners saying that Im stupid to tell them what to charge and, more frustratingly, a guy drinking my $3 a pint beer is taking up a seat of someone that will pay $6. They'd have to sell twice as much. <br /><br />Lew, I've loved this project for a long time and we'll definitely be supporting once we get rolling. Whats your take? Craft stuff, not the 'main stream'.Kristen Englandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05212694853976179911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-65695288000899256562011-06-30T14:30:17.904-04:002011-06-30T14:30:17.904-04:00This is basically what I've been trying to say...This is basically what I've been trying to say the past few days.<br /><br />I do think the point about light beer is relevant. It may be hugely relevant, if we assume that less alcohol is a major reason why people tend to gravitate toward light lager.<br /><br />It should be relevant to craft beer as well. For one, as you also point out, it could be an avenue for craft brewers attracting more mainstream drinkers. And that may be the most salient point, because I suspect Andy is right about us sessionistas being a niche within a niche.Joe Stangehttp://www.thirstypilgrim.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-40612594282935262742011-06-30T08:18:33.495-04:002011-06-30T08:18:33.495-04:00R.I.P. Big L,
Nothing wrong with being optimistic...R.I.P. Big L,<br /><br />Nothing wrong with being optimistic!<br /><br />I think you are right though that craft session beer is a reaction to the extremist nonsense that seems to be de rigueur for the more self consciously trendy breweries and beer geeks.<br /><br />However, to dismiss the millions of BMC Light drinkers as knowing no better or being the dupes of big business is, in my opinion, somewhat condescending. I am yet to meet a BMC Light drinker who has refused to try a craft beer, though I know many a craft beer drinker who derides BMC without ever trying their products.<br /><br />Craft session beer can of course be a gateway into the wider world of craft beer, however I think to look at it that way is equally unhelpful as craft session becomes a mere pathway to "full" craft appreciation, rather than a possible end its own right.<br /><br />From what I hear in the pubs I go to (bad habit listening to other people's conversations), there are plenty of drinkers out there looking for a more flavourful session beer to drink instead of BMC, which is one of the reasons why I think Sam Adams Light will steal a march on the craft brewers who are convinced that the market wants more hop bombs because that is what they want to brew.Alistair Reecehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15929927359428659775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-4360683266124661932011-06-30T05:25:46.885-04:002011-06-30T05:25:46.885-04:00Most beer sold in Ireland and the UK is session be...Most beer sold in Ireland and the UK is session beer. Even the micro breweries keep the ABV to a lower level with some obvious exceptions.<br /><br />It mainly has to do with duty. The UK recently changed the duty rates and have discounted the duty on anything 2.8% or less. Enter Guinness mid strength at 2.8% which is quite flavoursome and at 2.8% is a phenomenal session beer. I would rather an ordinary Guinness of course but if I was going to be going on a session I might switch and try and stay somewhat sober.Reuben Gray - TaleOfAlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15948722985150698273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-83714433064558893612011-06-29T17:20:44.401-04:002011-06-29T17:20:44.401-04:00I agree (mostly) with Andy that "the points w...I agree (mostly) with Andy that "the points with regards to the ABV's of macros and the like are pretty much irrelevant" since they're so far away from craft beers. <br /><br />I don't however believe that "people who care about both flavor and ABV" are a niche within a niche because you're assuming that people want flavorless beer. <br /><br />Maybe I'm being optimistic but I blame the popularity of flavorless lagers on our ability to be persuaded by big money (marketing, lobbying, etc.) and being sheep (for lack of a better term).<br /><br />Overall though, I think the blogger is pointing out that there is a history of session beers in the US even if they're not traditionally thought that way.<br /><br />I also feel the craft session beer movement is a response (reactionary?) to the imperial/double/etc. heavy beers of the craft boom (which was a reaction to the flavorless mass marketed lagers).<br /><br />Maybe Andy's right and I'm just being optimistic but in my experience flavorful lower alcohol beers are less intimidating to the non craft beer drinker and may therefore lead to better beer which is everyone's goal.Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597416115513686122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-71645376188406136322011-06-29T15:28:06.275-04:002011-06-29T15:28:06.275-04:00I'm not sure I entirely see the relevance of t...I'm not sure I entirely see the relevance of this point. For one, I'm not sure anyone is debating that somewhere around 50-75% of the beer sold in the US is "session beer" by the numbers (higher if we go up to Bud's 5%). The question at the heart of this whole debate (to the extent there really even is one, frankly it seems to be building controversy for its own sake), is whether session beer is about more than a number. If it is, then we're actually talking about "flavorful session beer." And if so, the points with regards to the ABV's of macros and the like are pretty much irrelevant. The song remains the same for craft session beer producers: selling to a niche market (people who care about flavor), or better yet, a niche of a niche (people who care about both flavor and ABV). Let's not conflate the two with the products of the big brewers. As with craft beer, it's apples and oranges.<br /><br />Best,<br /><br />Andy CrouchAndy Crouchhttp://www.beerscribe.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-86131001397331025232011-06-29T14:51:38.405-04:002011-06-29T14:51:38.405-04:00Well-put, and...why isn't that more obvious to...Well-put, and...why isn't that more obvious to people? Thanks for the support!Lew Brysonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04084380741402026573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-15717946382484762662011-06-29T14:33:36.902-04:002011-06-29T14:33:36.902-04:00I'm glad someone else realizes that there is a...I'm glad someone else realizes that there is already a whole lot of session beer being sold in the US. Even if it is, the least common denominator tasteless light beer. <br /><br />Hopefully more people will realize that low alcohol beers don't have to be tasteless.<br /><br />If you're into brewing session beers check out my blog (http://sessionbeerbrewing.blogspot.com/)<br /><br />Cheers!Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597416115513686122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-56832726842511543352011-06-29T13:03:55.641-04:002011-06-29T13:03:55.641-04:00Interesting take on it.
However, I wonder if it ...Interesting take on it. <br /><br />However, I wonder if it is a session culture or just a culture that Americans enjoy drinks with subtle/ no off-putting flavors? Obviously most beer nerds will jump down the throat of Bud, but there is something impressive with a beer that always tastes exactly the same. I think that is part our culture just as much as Joe American wanting a McDonalds cheeseburger. They both taste the same no matter where and have no "offensive" flavors. So I see the Bud Light drinker not so much loving Bud Light, but more of wanting to not think about what they're drinking, getting a little buzz, and enjoying time with their friends at a bar. <br /><br />So I guess what I am getting at: is that really session culture?<br /><br />Anyway, thanks for getting me thinking.John Fleuryhttp://dcist.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6521229482537361840.post-50093154443265311082011-06-29T12:25:50.193-04:002011-06-29T12:25:50.193-04:00Well said, and well done.Well said, and well done.Chris @ Notchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10588997056492780245noreply@blogger.com