Category: Uncategorized

It goes without saying that the purchase of the Miller Brewing Company by Philip Morris in the early 1970s was a major transformation in the beer industry.  Philip Morris used its marketing muscle, which had been so instrumental in growing their cigarette business, on their newly purchased beer company.  And the rest is, as they say, […]

Business planning, as the industry knows it today, did not exist in 1970. At that time, the industry was in the early stages of transitioning from a pre-World War II model into what we know today.  Single brand DSD distributors did little, if any, planning.  Supervisors were glorified route salesmen who, when not filling in […]

Corona Premier, Modelo’s line extension, targeted specifically at Michelob Ultra, is this week rolling out across the country.  Another line extension from AB, Michelob Ultra-Pure Gold, another low carb and low calorie beer will also be rolled out.  Remember, last year, Heineken also went after Ultra with Amstel Xlight, albeit with little success. In early […]

For as long as I can recall, every major supplier has in some way, focused on marketing their products to the female consumer.  Once again, this topic is front and center at many winter and early spring wholesaler meetings.  As the overall industry continues to lose volume to other types of drinks, one way in […]

Two major sporting events were held this past Sunday, the Super Bowl, and the Waste Management Phoenix Open.  The water cooler conversations this week has focused on the football game and, of course, the halftime show and the Super Bowl commercials. As we know, many people watch the Super Bowl simply for the commercials. Over the […]

History has proven that in the beer industry, when a brand begins to die, it will eventually end up in the grave yard with little chance of revitalization.  The list of dead brands in this category is long, and could take up this entire post. However, the list of brands that almost died, but did […]

In just the last month I have had a couple of small and new craft breweries, those which opened  within the past two years, with successful taprooms, vent their frustration at process of bringing their beer to market.  One craft brewer already had a distributor in place, while the other wanted to bring their beer […]

The Julius Schepps Co. of Dallas, a very successful and large wine and spirit house, made the decision to sell in early 1997.  Although Schepps was predominately a wine and spirits house, they did have a very impressive beer portfolio, including the Modelo brands: Shiner, Guinness, Moosehead and other fine imports and specialties. The wine […]

George H. W. Bush was elected President, in part, due to his famous line: “Read my lips.  No new taxes!”  The U.S. economy was on fire during the Reagan years, due in part to the fact that President Reagan lowered taxes and removed the price controls put into effect during the Carter era.  The 80s […]

Editors note;  We are having server problems but should have them fixed soon.  Sorry for all the issues. The highlight of any annual brewery convention has traditionally been the unveiling of the next year’s new ad campaign.  This was especially true when a brewer had experienced slowing sales in its main brand, typically the result […]