Comments on: Odd bits – Dogfish pumpkin ale at Monk’s Kettle in San Francisco, More worries about AB 1245

By: William Brand

William Brand — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:58:47 +0000

What difference wold “eco friendly” products make/ And what do you mean my “eco friendly” .. beer openers that are compostable?

By: TheEcoMag

TheEcoMag — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:06:51 +0000

William, this could actually be a good thing for CA residents. If Anheuser-Busch, Diageo, Miller, Coors, Heineken, and even the smaller breweries would all start giving away Eco-Friendly products that help the environment as well as market their brands, they would all be helping to make CA a better place to live.

By: William Brand

William Brand — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:03:55 +0000

Thanks for the update Chuck. I knew the guv would sign it. Republicans always see nothing wrong with something like this; they simply love big corporations and don’t believe in regulations. Guess they’ve never been kicked in the ass by a bully.

By: Chuck Purvis

Chuck Purvis — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 20:36:45 +0000

Bill:

The Governor signed the AB 1245 – Torrico bill, into law.

It’s hidden part-way down in his 9/30/08 press release:
http://gov.ca.gov/press-release/10695/

I guess I’m not too concerned, since I don’t frequent pubs or brewpubs that serve A-B or Miller-Coors products. And I don’t need any more beer-schwag keychains. It will be interesting to see how this pans out, with the Belgians from InBev now calling the shots for A-B.

By: William Brand

William Brand — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 04:47:58 +0000

Not to worry Derick. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. I honestly don’t know the answer. I just tend to always support the craft beer industry. The smaller size brewers provide variety and they’re local. That’s their niche. Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams are in another league, but it’s still a tiny league compared to A-B and Miller/Coors.

By: Derrick

Derrick — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:07:39 +0000

Frankly, I don’t think AB 1245 is really going to effect craft brewing one way or another, since if a modest $3.00 give-away limits for breweries will obliterate craft brewing in CA, no limits would have done so in CO already. And I’m a little confused, because so many local businesses in other industries compete effectively with much larger companies, with no give away limits in their industries, why can’t craft brewing compete in the same way. (I work for a 20 person company who competes against two publicly held companies. Keep the faith, it can be done.)

In my opinion, ABC Craft Brewing Company should be a lot more worried about what Sierra Neveda, Stone, or Lagunitas is doing, than Coors or InBev is doing.

But for those who think I’m with the bad boys, my full name is “Derrick William Peterman”, and I was born June 13, 1967. This is enough information to check my employment record. Time to put up or shut up for those would like to denounce me as a fraud.

By: LocalBeer

LocalBeer — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 17:55:45 +0000

Derrick, you sure seem to know and parrot A-B’s arguments for AB 1245 in a fairly literate manner. Are you sure you’re not with A-B? The fact is small brewers in Colorado do not appreciate the higher giveaway limits in their home state. I know one of the largest craft brewers in Colorado has said publicly in a recent hearing that they have been disadvantaged in market placements. The fact is the institutional brewers have used these higher limits with “payola-like” effectiveness in Colorado.

As far as the target of A-B and their legislation AB 1245 — make no mistake it is NOT the “evil distilleries” like they say. The fact is their beer market-share has been significantly reduced in recent years by craft and import beer. Is it any mystery why AB 1245 sets a limit of $3 that is too high for most craft brewers and then keeps the “imports” who have the $$$ to compete at $.25/item? I think not!!

This bill is classic special interest legislation written in a manner to give one industry player an advantage over others. Plain and simple.

By: Have a pint of pumpkin

Have a pint of pumpkin — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:38:15 +0000

[...] tried Punkin Ale on tap yet – but I hear that you can get it at Monk’s Kettle in the mission district of San Francisco – so I will [...]

By: William Brand

William Brand — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:27:39 +0000

Replying to Derrick’s earlier comment that perhaps AB 1245 could help craft brewers too. Sierra Nevada and New Belgium and some of the other larger craft brewers might be OK. But none of them have the budgets of the big national brewers.

By: William Brand

William Brand — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 04:23:07 +0000

Oh hit the send button too soon. yes. the Craft Beer association has lots to say. I did a post a while back:
http://www.ibabuzz.com/beer/2008/09/05/small-brewers-association-wants-arnold-to-veto-beer-swag-bill/