Craft beer fans rejoice! The industry has made big steps this week to be a little bit more transparent, thanks to the Brewers Association Independent Craft Seal.
I’m sure we’ve all been there. You’re strolling down the beer aisle at the grocery store wondering which craft beer to try next. You easily eliminate the latter half of the aisle stocked with Bud Light, Coors, and Lone Star, but still, so many options await you.
Do you choose based on your favorite style of beer?
Or maybe your allegiance lies with beers from certain regions or states?
And we won’t be the ones to judge if you’re selecting your brew based on the attractive packaging (bright colors always get us y’all)!
But then there’s another category that many die-hard, tried-and-true craft beer fanatics factor in: brewery ownership.
Some people say that breweries owned by non-craft conglomerates, such as AB InBev, Constellation Brands, or MillerCoors, are attempting to prey on unassuming, unknowledgeable consumers by persuading them into believing their brands are true, independent craft beer. And it’s working.
One could argue that the recipes haven’t changed once these breweries were bought out. The beer was craft before being bought out by AB, and the beer’s still craft today.
Ok, cool. The recipe might not have changed, and in a blind taste test, it might still be great beer. But there are devout craft drinkers that vow not to give a penny of their hard earned money to “the big guys”, so they can continue using those pennies to lobby for laws that crush real independent brewers. We enjoy craft beer for dozens of reasons, but one of them is because we’re friends with the brewers, their families, and in some cases their dogs. Thus, we see the true labor of love and sacrifice.
There are many US drinkers that want to support small businesses, drink local, AND have good beer without being tricked into buying something that they think fits the bill.
We’ve been duped before. Even though we run a beer blog, we don’t catch EVERY piece of beer news, especially when it’s from out of state.
Big beer is viewed as a monopoly by some. While they control a vast majority of the market, they’re losing ground little by little each year as more and more consumers palettes change.
These big breweries that are buying up the smaller ones didn’t get to be the big dogs by just sitting on the porch, though. Taking action, they’re buying up more breweries around the country and bringing them into their fold, while many folks in the beer aisle are none-the-wiser.
But fear not you loyal compatriots, you beer purists! The Brewers Association, a non-profit trade group standing proudly for small and independently-owned breweries, recently released their killer clap back to your grocery store dilemma: an independent craft brewer seal.
The seal, shaped like an upside down beer bottle, will help beer lovers determine which beers are truly independently owned, rather than corporately managed by companies. The seal’s design symbolizes how the U.S. craft beer movement has literally turned beer on its head worldwide.
The Brewers Association shared this in their press release about the seal,
Independence is a hallmark of the craft brewing industry, and it matters to the brewers who make the beer and the beer lovers who drink it. A recent study commissioned by Brewbound and conducted Nielsen found that 'independent' and 'independently owned' strongly resonated with the majority (81 percent) of craft beer drinkers. Increasingly, they are looking for differentiation between what’s being produced by small and independent craft brewers versus Big Beer and acquired brands. Beer drinkers, especially Millennials, expect transparency when it comes to their food and beverages. That transparency and underlying ownership can drive their purchase intent.
(Brewers Association Independent Craft Seal mocked up on packaging)
The Brewers Association Independent Craft Seal will not only assist consumers with differentiating between craft and corporate, but it celebrates the traditional craft beer ideals of independence and creativity. And anyone who tries to argue brewing isn’t an art form, clearly has never attempted to create delicious masterpieces with ONLY four basic ingredients (hops, yeast, grain, and water).
Quite possibly the best part about the seal is it’s price to breweries…free ninety nine! Scooore!
1. Valid TTB Brewer’s Notice- legally necessary for selling beer
2. Meet the Brewers Association’s craft brewer definition
3. Sign a licensing agreement
Number two on that list is how we consumers can wickedly weed out their selection.
The Brewers Association defines craft brewers as small (6 million barrels or less per year), independent (less than 25% of the brewery is owned by a non-craft brewer), and traditional (a majority of the beer is brewed using traditional or innovative ingredients).
While this small seal of independence may not seem massively impactful, step back and take a gander at craft brewers’ market share.
According to the Brewers Association, “small and independent craft brewers represent 99% of the over 5,300 breweries in the United States, yet they make just 12% of the beer sold in the country”. As the intelligent consumer we know you to be, we genuinely hope you’ll utilize the seal as a tool to separate Big Beer from beloved, craft beer (besides the obvious indicator of taste).
Goliath isn’t going out like a punk, though. Elysian Co-Founder David Buhler laughed back at the idea, “To be independent means you don’t put the logo on because you’re Indi. So to be truly punk, you don’t use the logo. You do your own thing. You follow your own rules.”
Where do you land in the battle of the beers? Will you keep an eye out for the Brewers Association’s seal of craft approval?
And to all our industry friends in town, are you joining the (currently) 904 breweries including BAKFISH? Let us know in the comments. Beers to you, Houston! 🍻
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