HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Global brewing: How to resist

Written October 17th, 2015 by Hasso Hering
A segment of the global beer business on an Albany supermarket shelf.

A segment of the global beer merger on display on an Albany supermarket shelf.

Speaking of beer, I’m wondering why the world’s biggest beer company is trying to get even bigger by buying the second-biggest. What’s in it for them, and why should beer drinkers care?

Last week, Anheuser-Bush InBev announced an agreement in principle to acquire SAB Miller for about $104 billion. According to a story in the New York Times on Oct. 14, the combined company would account for 29 percent of all beer sales worldwide. Huge mergers like this never make sense to me. The companies might save money by combining operations and firing people — which is bad for the individuals involved and their communities — but the companies also have to spend more on administration.

Big-time beer drinkers probably know this, but I didn’t know or had forgotten that both Anheuser-Busch and Miller are international companies that sell many different brands. Anheuser-Busch InBev owns, among others, Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois. And SAB Miller’s holdings include Grolsch and Pilsner Urquell. SAB Miller also owns part of Molson Coors, whose brands include Miller Light, Coors Light and Blue Moon.

The story in the Times reminded readers that a Brazilian company, AmBev, had merged with InterBrew of Belgium and then took over Anheuser-Busch in 2008. So when you buy certain brands of nationally advertised beer in Albany, you are taking part in the globalization of the beer business whether you know it not. Which is all the more reason to consider Oregon or even local brands instead, even though, being smaller, they have to charge a little more.

As far as I know, when you take home a six-pack made by Calapooia Brewing Co., for instance, you’re supporting a local business rather than investment bankers in London, New York or Rio. And I’m told the beer tastes better too. (hh)





3 responses to “Global brewing: How to resist”

  1. Bob Woods says:

    I hope the antitrust folks take a hard look at this level of consolidation. I might be wrong but I believe I heard this company would have 70% of US sales.

    I love local craft brewers.Some really outstanding beers are made here. I getting ready to test my first home brewed batch of Porter.

    At least my wife has quit ordering Bud Light in brewpubs.

  2. CBonville says:

    I recently discovered the pleasing taste of Twilight Summer Ale by Deschutes Brewery. Not hyper-local like Calapooia, but Oregon based just the same.

  3. Dick Olsen says:

    When I visit our local downtown eateries, I always ask for one of our local brews. I was pleased to find Calopooia’s excellent pilsner at Novak’s last night. Dick Olsen

 

 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany Fire Department Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany schools Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park Calapooia River CARA climate change COVID-19 Cox Creek Cox Creek path Crocker Lane cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany ODOT Oregon coast Oregon legislature Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens The Banks Tom Cordier Union Pacific urban renewal Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River


Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering