The blithering idiot sector of the snob class of beer git has now been confirmed as a market to which one can...market:
Carlsberg A/S ads say it's "probably the best beer in the world." At $400 a bottle, it's now the most expensive. The brewer, Scandinavia's biggest, introduced a beer today that costs 2,008 Danish kroner ($396.47), the price being based on the year of its introduction. The Vintage No. 1 brew will be sold at three Copenhagen restaurants, including Noma, a holder of two Michelin stars and the world's 15th-best restaurant in 2007..."Probably" - good use of the word. But, as the word also conveys, could well not be. At all. But you will only learn that after you put down your credit card.
Please expect that the only characteristic that sets this beer apart is exclusionary pricing. And please also do you part of beer-based class warfare: if anyone tells you this stuff is worth 15% of the price, kick them in the shins. With pointy shoes. Then laugh at them. Or just laugh at them (and point) if you are into non-violent ridicule.
Comments
Greg Clow - January 26, 2008 10:09 pm
The "probably the best beer in the world" thing is actually Carlsberg's long-used slogan in the advertising for their regular lager. The article was just poorly structured, making it look as if it was a quote of Carlsberg about the new beer.
Either way, I agree that the price is pretty ridiculous. For 400 bucks, I'll be expecting something a little extra with my beer. I'm not sure exactly what, mind you, but it better be something really good whatever it is.
Alan - January 26, 2008 10:39 pm
I know that but, as you point out, wrong in the general and the specific. I even got emails today with beer fan photos on how stunned a slogan it is. "Probably": what a bad word in a branding.
Greg Clow - January 27, 2008 10:21 am
Yeah, I've always found it to be a bad slogan as well. "Possibly" would've been a much better choice, I think. It has a better tone than "probably", but still covers their asses in those countries with strong truth-in-advertising laws.
Alan - January 27, 2008 10:28 am
Ha ha! Maybe we need to suggest some other weasel words:<ul><li>"Could well be..."</li><li>"As likely as not..."</li><li>"As good a candidate as any others for..."</li><li>"Arguably if you don't dig around too much..."</li></ul>
Paul Garrard - January 27, 2008 3:52 pm
If it is a lager the anything over £2.00 ($4.00) is too expensive !
There will be people who will buy it just because it's expensive, and they'll never dare say it's horrible. King's new clothes syndrome.
Nils - March 2, 2008 5:39 pm
I agree on the beer but I have always thought that the Carlsberg slogan is the best! It's so down to earth. No fake promises there! The only slogan I could imagine could beat this one is: "It's good for you!"