Response to Kona Craft Brewers Alliance Merger

Here is an editorial from our friend and writer Mike in response to the news of Kona Brewing being wholly owned by Craft Brewers Alliance.

So we hear recently that Kona Brewing is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Craft Brewers Alliance. This is a bad thing right? This is a good thing right? I guess it depends on what we’re really talking about, and what is good and what is bad. Well some of us will think it’s bad because the big bad corporate giant that is Anheuser Busch is involved somewhere in all of this. Some of us will think it’s good because some really good beer is going to be available to more people.

Kona is still going to be Kona, same beer, made in the same places. I do have to point out, they really do make some pretty potable brews, I am a big fan of both Pipeline Porter and Fire Rock Pale Ale. Now, what about the “sellout” factor? Some of us will be angry, and think they sold out to the man. Sure, kinda, sorta. It’s not like all the Longboard is gonna be re-labeled Budweiser. This is America, home of the three tier distribution system. How is a craft brewer gonna get it’s product to all the thirsty folks screaming for good beer? Well, if you need distribution, might as well get ” The King Of Beers”, to help you. Top of the line, state of the art, world wide distribution, no joke there. It’s a win win situation, more good beer available to more people, more money for the maker. This is still a capitalist country right? Should we knock people for trying to make money doing what they love? Supply and demand, right? Freedom of choice, if it tastes good drink it, it’s still beer, made in America, by Americans for the world to enjoy. I have always been able to get Kona, I’m lucky like that, some folks in other parts of the country want it, now they can have it too.

So what, some might say. Craft beer should be, blah blah blah. Well just think about this, 10 or 15 years ago, anything other than Bud, Miller or Coors was called micro brew. We can’t call all craft beer micro anymore, some companies are pretty macro now. Are we gonna do anything to stop globalization, corporatization, or brewery conglomeration? No. Too late folks, Budweiser, or AB, is now owned by InBev, A Belgian company, Miller was bought by a South African company, and now they own Coors, hence Miller Coors. So no more big three American brewers, now it’s the big two, and, technically, they aren’t even American. These corporate entities are putting out their own craft beer. Am I happy about all of this, no. Will I be more selective about my beverage choices now, well, yes, and I have been for a long time.

Should all the breweries be absorbed by two corporate giants, hell no. What about the little guy? Support them. Think globally, drink locally, artisans of all forms need support. Go to your local brewery, buy the beer, eat the local food, soak it all in. I love being able to choose from so many breweries here in Cali. If a beer tastes good to you, drink it. We’re all in this together, after all, it is BEER. I buy craft beer, I drive hours at a time to go to my favorite breweries, but you know what, every once in a while, I like some Miller High Life, I want a 40 oz. of Mickey’s, and damn it, I like Pabst Blue Ribbon beer!