You won’t get this from a domestic beer
By Dan on Jul 22, 2008 in Beer, advertising
Bloggers are good at venting their frustrations and giving public floggings to those people or entities who we feel have done us wrong. In the spirit of fairness, it’s only right then that we also give air to those who distinguish themselves with acts of nobleness.
You may recall reading a long-winded, heavily emoted and, quite frankly, embarrassing post about my beloved beer that I wrote on Sunday evening. Maybe you skipped it, who knows. But three people who did read it are employees of the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, two of whom emailed me this morning and one who left a comment. All took time to allay my fears and respond to my concerns.
Here’s one of the messages I received:
Hi Dan, I am the Business Development Manager for Sierra Nevada Brewng Co in Illinios. I wanted to say thanks for being a loyal Pale Ale drinker! And fear not, ample supplies of all of our brews shipped out last week and should be on store shelves and in tavern keepers coolers as we speak. I am sure that you will be contacted by someone from the brewery as well but I wanted to reach out. Sorry about the interruption, please contact me directly if you have any difficulty finding our brews.
Thanks, Bob Ryan
What fine representatives of their company. Raises all around, I say!
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I’m really impressed. THAT’S how you do customer relations. Now, a few vouchers for free six packs mailed to the right location might even sway a die hard Newcastle fan.
Russ | Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
I gotta say that is pretty cool. I think I know what I am adding to my beer shopping list.
shoo | Jul 22, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Russ- THAT is customer relations at its best. Awesome.
Out of respect and admiration (and also jealousy), I will have to try SNPA now.
But I also must give a shout-out to Schnucks for now carrying Fat Tire. A VERY reliable source I have at Schnucks says that they “had no idea it would sell so quickly”, so hopefully they’ll stock more. And I’m also reasonably sure they already carry SNPA. Where they are price-wise (with either brand) as compared to the Friar and other places that already stock them, I don’t know, but you gotta give it to them for branching out beyond A-B, Miller, and Coors products.
Johann | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Shop n Save is also stocking Fat Tire now, at least the one on Chatham road is, and I’d guess that they have it at a better price than Schnuck’s and Friar Tuck’s.
New Belgium’s 1554 is also really good, if you like your beer dark.
Dan | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
I’m not big on dark beer as a rule, but I might be convinced to give it a go.
Johann | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Johann-
I was not a big dark beer fan but starting off with Mich amber Bock, I have branched out some and I find the 1554 to be very nice for us non-stout drinkers.
The biggest benefit to New Belgiums entry into Spflds market is the push into restaurants which now offer it as a non-BMC choice.
Gish | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Thanks, Gish. I have also recently discovered Amber Bock, so perhaps I can give 1554 a whirl as well.
Holy crapski, I may become a beer geek yet! AnonCom would be so proud.
If he ever comes back…
Johann | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
I suffer not from “domestic watered-down beer” guilt. Many A-B products are scrupdillyicious.
I guess you might also look down your nose(s) at my dislike for mushrooms and canned spinach as well.
M.B. | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
MB
No, you’re right in not liking canned spinach, or even cooked spinach. Fresh, in a salad or as a garnish, is really the only proper way to serve it.
As for your dislike of mushrooms and affinity for watered-down beer, well, I’m afraid your taste buds are fixated in an adolescent stage of development, i.e., you’re in a suspended state of “this tastes icky”-ness.
Don’t blame yourself. Either due to genetic or biological deficiencies (experts really aren’t sure which) some people don’t experience the refinement in tastes that most adults develop in maturity. People of this type are known to bring Ring Dings and Pepsi as a gift to a dinner party. It’s sad, sure, but most are able to cope with the shame and go on to live a reasonably productive life.
Glad I could help,
Dan
Dan at BFS | Jul 23, 2008 | Reply
Dan:
I read your latest article and noticed you had a blog going. I thought to would give it a read.
Question: Isn’t SNPA a domestic beer? I thought it was made in California. Did I miss something?
It is good to hear that customer service hasn’t shipped out with NAFTA.
On a canoe/fishnig trip to the boundary waters with some buddies of mine we made a stop at the Lenie Lodge in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The tour was excellent and the staff so friendly I actually changed my beer of choice to the The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing brands!
edwinholt | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Hi Ed,
In the beer world, micro or craft brews get put into the same category as imports. Domestics are only the mega-massed produced pilsners such as Bud, Miller, Coors, etc. So if a bar is offering $2 domestic bottles and you order an SNPA, they’ll claim it isn’t a domestic, even though as you mention, it is brewed domestically. It’s a crock, ain’t it?
Thanks for commenting,
Dan
Dan | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Mmmmmmm….beeeerrrr…..
Mary | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
“So if a bar is offering $2 domestic bottles and you order an SNPA, they’ll claim it isn’t a domestic, even though as you mention, it is brewed domestically. It’s a crock, ain’t it?”
Being a snob doesn’t come cheap.
M.B. | Jul 24, 2008 | Reply
Maybe ‘domestic’ is short for ‘domesticated’ which is about as exciting as any of the majors get.
Look at it this way Bud can be the old gray mare of beers which we slaughter and sell to the Belgians when we tire of it while SNPA is a wild mustang that lives free as the spirit of America.
You can cry a little at the imagery. I did.
Gish | Jul 28, 2008 | Reply
Um, if you are American, then Sierra Nevada IS a domestic beer!
(Just as if you are Dutch, Heineken is a domestic beer, and if you are Irish, Guinness is a domestic beer.)
Some people are a little slow to notice, but the American beer scene has improved RADICALLY over the last 20 years!
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