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Americans love foreign beer. And in many ways, until the advent of the craft beer revolution, the words "imported beer" were synonymous with "good beer." So enamored with this notion are Americans that even Canadian and Mexican brews are afforded such a higher status, often regardless of their actual quality, simply because they crossed a border.In other parts of the world, however, drinkers aren't as easily impressed by the simple idea of importation. Case in point: UK brewer Scottish & Newcastle will no longer be producing Miller Beer. Miller has undergone a number of changes in the British marketplace trying to find its niche. Launched in the late '80s as Miller Lite, before twice being rebranded as, first, Miller Pilsner, and then Miller Beer, this particular product never found much traction with UK drinkers. A recent double digit decline in sales sent it packing, though Brits will still have a Miller option as MGD production across the pond won't be affected. (In fact, Miller Genuine Draft saw a small gain in sales.)
Limitted empirical evidence: During a recent trip to London and Sheffield in England, I noticed American beers in general were few and far between. Not once do I recall seeing any American beers on draft. Likewise, mentions of American macrobrews were typically regarded with language reserved for early Guy Ritche films. Hmm... Maybe the reason Americans developed their love of imports is because the best of the big brews really are found elsewhere.
[via Talking Retail] [Photo Credit: millercoors.com]
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11-05-2008 @11:32PM DanGarion said... Maybe Ireland isn't the same as the rest of the UK, but I know Budweiser is huge there according to my wife and father in law (Irish).
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11-06-2008 @10:24AM Gort said... I don't know if you are plain ignorant, prejudiced or haven't even bothered to taste them, but "even Mexican brews" are considered among the best in the world by people who know their beers, such as the British, Belgians, and Czechs. As a matter of fact, you can easily find "Corona" (not the best of Mexican brands IMHO) all over Europe. So get your fact together before you pass judgment.
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11-06-2008 @11:28AM agent54 said... hrmm...i could be wrong but, i took that comment about "even canadian and mexican brews" as being more about the close proximity to this country as opposed to, say, england.
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11-06-2008 @11:42AM Mike Pomranz said... Hey, Gort. Hmm... in retrospect, that probably was a bit of a misleading blanket statement. Obviously, good beers come from both our continental neighbors. Canada's Unibroue is one of my favorite breweries in the world. And though I am not a huge Corona fan (and neither was beer writer Michael Jackson who occasionally referred to it his least favorite beer), there are plenty of Mexican beers I enjoy. And yes, Mexican and Canadian beers are drank and enjoyed all over the world.
My point was that Americans are so enamored with the idea of the import, that even lesser brews from Canada and Mexico often find their way onto the "imported beer list" commanding higher prices than domestic products of equal or greater quality just because they crossed a border.
Will probably make a small edit for clarity. Thanks for your concern!
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11-06-2008 @12:09PM Gort said... Hey Mike. Sorry if I came on a bit too strong, but what really ticked me was the part that you already changed (the one about "often of lesser quality"). While I'll agree that there are some Mexican concoctions fit only for bongs (Mr. Jackson could do a lot worse than Coronas. BTW check out his book on single malts, it's excellent), I would say that most of the Mexican beers are rather good. If you ever get a chance to go to Yucatan, try Montejo or Leon Negra, and on the Pacific coast, Indio, Sol, and Pacifico.
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11-06-2008 @12:16PM Mike Pomranz said... Hey, Gort. No worries at all. Looking back, it was definitely an unclear choice of words for the thoughts I was trying to get across and I am happy to have the chance to correct it for future readers, so my thanks to you.
And I never intended to pan Mexican beers. I spent time living in Southern California and have been to Mexico on a number of occasions, so Mexican beers are actually close to my heart!
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11-07-2008 @10:33AM Jim said... What the hell are you talking about??? I've been to London 3 times since 2000, and almost every single bar or pub I went to had Bud on tap.
I thought it was a fluke at the first pub, but by the second or third, I pointed it out to the missus.
I actually found it rather depressing, really - flying 8 hours over the Atlantic ocean to get to a magical realm I'd always dreamt about... only to find Budweiser EVERYWHERE.
Of course, lagers are quickly displacing ales, stouts and porters in the UK these days anyway. Kids don't want quality, they want quantity, and I guess Bud is perfect for that.
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11-07-2008 @10:48AM Nova said... Americans drink american beers based simply on the fact that they are cheap and come in 30 packs. Ever been to college? You go to the store look for the cheapest 30 pack you can stand to drink and then buy it. If you wanna get fancy you pick up some coors light instead of the keystone light or Natty ice. Or if you are feeling ghetto that day, a 40 of OE will pull you through for $3.
American beers are glorified water that'll get you drunk and aren't filling. You learn to drink them as a young broke man, and then you get used to it. Pretty good way to introduce your product actually. Thank god I drink guinness or murphy's stout now.
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11-07-2008 @10:50AM Mike Pomranz said... Hey, Jim, I did see Budweiser taps on occasion; however, it was never the American Budweiser, it was always Budweiser Budvar, a Czech beer with the taste of a traditional eastern European lager and absolutely no relation to the American beer of the same name.
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11-12-2008 @4:59PM Alex said... Please don't tar all of the UK with the London brush!
I live in the North and there's plenty of exciting beer action to be had. It's all about knowing where to go - roll up to a city and head to the most obvious bars and they probably are going to offer Budweiser (the American one), Fosters, Carling and so on. With so many pubs in the UK you really need to do your homework ... sites like fancyapint or beerintheevening can be a great start!
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