"beeradvocate" news and stories

A couple of my recent posts discussing opinion polls from BeerAdvocate and RateBeer opened a lively discussion on this website, including a comment from CEO of the Stone Brewing Company, Greg Koch.

Far be it from me to let the thoughts of the co-founder of one of America's most recognizable and renowned craft breweries languish in the comments section of one of my lowly posts, Greg was gracious enough to accept an interview offer to discuss these polls, as well as the Stone Brewery and craft beer in general.

I'd consider this suggested reading for both beer aficionados and casual Slashfood readers alike. As Greg puts it: "I appreciate the discussion of great craft beer in food-oriented circles like Slashfood. That is a huge win for both foodies and for craft brewers."

Mike Pomranz: In a recent "consumer opinion" list, BeerAdvocate named Stone Brewery the "All-Time Top Brewery on Planet Earth" -- a title I believe is reasonably within your grasp. More amazingly, Stone placed five beers in the Top 25 "All-Time Top Beers on Planet Earth." Putting aside for a moment the ancient brews of Mesopotamia, how do you feel about these honors? Do you believe Stone has five of the best beers of all time on planet Earth?

Greg Koch: For one brewery on Planet Earth to take five out of 25 spots is not probable. However, it IS possible (as evidence would suggest).

MP: The idea of "picking your favorite child" is so clichéd. So let's force you into it. The five that placed: Stone Imperial Russian Stout, Stone Ruination IPA, Stone IPA, Double Bastard Ale, Arrogant Bastard Ale. Who you got? (Styles be damned!)

Continue reading my interview with Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. after the jump...

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Since I took a few constructive swipes at BeerAdvocate over their "The People Have Spoken!" opinion polls, I thought it only fair that when rival RateBeer.com released their annual best of lists for 2009, I'd reflect on these lists as well.

One of my primary complaints with the BeerAdvocate list was its bias towards Stone Brewing, who landed 5 beers in the top 25 and grabbed the coveted top brewery spot. RateBeer.com reviewers seemed slightly less blown away by Stone. The California brewer still took a respectable 8th place in RateBeer's brewery list, but did not score a beer in the top 25. Instead, though, RateBeer readers found a bias of their own: Munster, Indiana's Three Floyds Brewing Company. Three Floyds not only earned the top brewery of 2009 spot, but also placed an impressive four beers in the top 25. Luckily, this feat once again gives me the opportunity to reiterate that almost any user-based poll will have its leanings. With thousands of beers to choose from, any brewery having four beers in the top 25 seems a bit over-the-top. [Writer's note: For the record, I have biases of my own, such as greatly preferring having my points reinforced rather than refuted. So thank you, RateBeer users!]

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Like it or not, human nature prefers an expert opinion. Sure, we might glare with disdain at said experts towering over us with their puffed-out egos from atop their high-horses, but let's be honest, if we left every final opinion to all us plebes down below, many decisions would end up a mess. There's something to be said for someone with experience and knowledge navigating the way: Would you rather receive driving directions from a van full of people who "know North Jersey" or a GPS device?

My point: This month's BeerAdvocate Magazine featured their annual "The People Have Spoken!" consumer opinion poll. I found the article lovingly reprinted on the Stone Brewery website, as well it should be -- Stone had five of the top 25 beers and was named number one on the list of "All-Time Top Breweries on Planet Earth."

Now, let the record show, I am not disparaging Stone Brewing Company. A fine brewery, I enjoyed a Stone IPA quite recently. And I don't fault BeerAdvocate for producing such a poll. Quite the opposite, I far prefer BeerAdvocate to their rival RateBeer.com (for reasons not worth discussing here) and applaud them for constantly giving voice to the opinions of the public, regardless of what those opinions might be.

In tough economic times, businesses have to to everything they can to keep expenses down. True, they should do that all the time, but especially in the down turns. If the business happens to sell beer on tap, this means that they need to protect that beer from "pilferage or waste."

Apparently, since there's not a visual connection between how much beer is poured and how much has been paid for, it's easy for draft beer to disappear. Enter US Beverage Net, which offers software that monitors how much beer is in the keg and how much has been paid for. Their monthly subscription fee is fairly low, so it's a fairly affordable way for bars and restaurants to keep track of their draft beer.

I'm curious if places that serve draft beer are really losing so much money that having their beer monitored is a necessary solution. Does anyone have any information on this technology?

[Via Beer Advocate]

You knew it had to happen. Late last week, the Anheuser-Busch board of directors politely yet firmly told InBev that they were fine, thanks.

As reported in Beer Advocate, the response to InBev's offer to buy AB at $65 a share was a polite thanks but no thanks. The board if directors for the beer giant said that even though the $65 per share was over current share price, the offer really undervalued the earnings potential of the brand, as well as other assets the company has and plans they've made to make more money . So basically, InBev's offer wasn't enough.

Not that I can blame them. I don't think any company that's doing as well as Anheuser-Busch wants to be taken over. I personally like the decision. I don't like the thought of mega global companies all buying each other up to form one massive corporation, but that's just me. What do you think?