Is really anything wrong with drinking a beer you believe is a craft brew just to find out it’s not? No, not actually. That said if you do not like having the wool pulled over your eyes and really want to support smaller sized, independent breweries, you may wish to beware. The reality is, a great deal of these supposed “craft” beers doesn’t follow true craft beer guidelines.
Here are a couple of.
Redhook
Like many others, Redhook Brewing began as a craft brewery back in the 80’s. Since then, nevertheless, it has actually formed the business Craft Beer Alliance Inc. (with Widmer and Kona) and Anheuser-Busch InBev owns about 35% of the business.
Goose-Island
Goose Island is a little a sad one for us. The truth is, you can still get some actually wonderful beer from them (seriously, go get your hands on some Sofie Paradisi and Bourbon County Stout), however, a great deal of the standard offerings are now contracted out. Anheuser-Busch InBev shelled out a cool $38.8 million to purchase all of Goose Island back in 2011.
Blue-Moon
Blue Moon has taken a bit of heat gradually since, while it usually consists of a piece of orange, it never ever consists of mention on the bottle or can that it is made by MillerCoors. It’s part of a growing pattern of the huge companies trying to be part of the craft beer scene as slyly as possible. While refreshing and delicious, Blue Moon is definitely not a craft beer.
Shock-Top
In spite of this Consumer Reports post that lists Shock Top as one of the very best craft beers, it remains in fact not craft at all. It’s an Anheuser-Busch item clearly targeted at inserting themselves into the craft beer market.
Magic-Hat
Magic Hat had all the makings of a terrific craft brewery when it opened up shop in the early 90’s, however, their story got a little fuzzy. It’s not that they were scooped up by MillerCoors or Anheuser-Busch, however, rather they bought Pyramid themselves and enticed North American Breweries (the company that owns Labatt and a couple of other imports) to purchase them together.
Leinenkugel
Sorry Leine fans, but your beer has to do with as far from a craft brew as they come. To start with, they’re owned by SABMiller, so you got that, but they likewise utilize adjunct ingredients for flavor enhancement (a craft no-no). We know they’ve been around for ages and deserve their props, however, they’re not technically “craft.”
Third-Shift
Third Shift is a little more in advance about that it’s made by MillerCoors, it says so in small letters on the labels. In fact, it’s their effort at a foray into the craft beer world. Still, the limited accessibility and marketing make it clear that the folks at MillerCoors are seeing if they can emit a craft beer ambiance.
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