So, it's all about value this weekend for me. Mainly because I haven't been in the mood for beer. Bought a bike. Made birthday dinner for Mom. Spring cleaning. Can't be much gooderer than that. Then I see this story and, again, I wonder... except today I wondered as I biked:
A budget-priced 30-case of beer launched locally last year as "the perfect stimulus package" seems to have quenched the thirst in budget-minded consumers. Melanie Brewery Co. of Gary has been adding retail outlets and distributors nationwide for its Beer-30 Light and Ice brands, which retail at about $12.99 for a 30-pack. Melanie co-owner Jeff Ciesco said 110 distributors in 42 states have been added in the past year. "We currently have over 250 distributors in 42 states representing Beer-30 and/or several additional brands from our portfolio," Ciesco said.
Here's what I don't get. How much more of an investment would it take to add better ingredients to make Beer-30 a good beer? When you get right down to it, as we learned in the great hop crisis of '08, ingredients actually form a smaller part of the input equation than we expect. Tax, labour, trucking swallow big pieces of the proverbial pie. So, if that is the case, why can't Beer-30 dream bit, maybe aim at being Beer-47 or even Beer-53? What would it take to make this sort of drug store budget brew actually good beer?
Comments
Jim - March 21, 2011 2:44 PM
Great thoughts. I was a big bad beer guy in college, quantity over quality every time. But now growing up, I'd rather spend more on good beer. I can't believe brewers wouldn't want to make better beer and sell it at a moderate price.
Gary Gillman - March 22, 2011 4:07 PM
I think it is assumed this is what people want. Ice and light connote such a taste too, generally.
In the mass market, even premium brands usually have modest flavour when compared to a craft brew or top-grade import. It's not the production cost I think, but rather perception of consumer preference.
Gary