Shelton has brought in some bottles, but he wants to start importing fresh casks at regular intervals. He realizes they will be a tough sell. "When American beer drinkers spend more money on a beer," he says, "they want more alcohol. It's a real challenge to sell something that's not rare in its homeland but that costs a lot to get in. People need to get used to paying for character."That seems to be it in a nutshell...unless, of course, someone starts doing the same thing here and makes the style available here for cost. Unless someone notes that the nine dollar Baltic porter is not far off that other four buck one and that the local brewer is making beer of damn fine character for two and a half.
Cost Inputs: Do We Buy The Import Or Lobby Our Local Brewer?
Posted by on Thursday, January 10, 2008 in - 2 comments
Comments
Stan Hieronymus - January 11, 2008 3:06 PM
I agree (as you know) that people "need to get used to paying for character." The question is how much more and why the more.
I happen to think Americans are brewing beers with character - often lower alcohol beers that are served fresh and only locally. And get little attention. Nothing wrong with that.
It isn't necessary to spend the money - and burn the carbons - to import them from Germany. It's a luxury, and if some people want to pay X amount more for it then that's also OK.
Alan - January 11, 2008 3:36 PM
On the first point, if you can tell me what "character" is and why craft beers that cost half the price don't have it, I'll believe you. I tend to think we are being asked to pay more for beer that have "characters" involved.