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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