Ever since those Belgians at that filthy InBev company announced they were taking over Anheuser-Busch, I've been mad as hell about the deal.What in God's name is the country coming to when the American brewery that owns half the U.S. beer market is taken over by some pack of scrubs from Belgium? Budweiser has been touted as the American beer for so long that such a thing seems inconceivable.
But it does appear that InBev's $52 billion takeover of Anheuser-Busch will come to pass, leaving us Americans with a decision to make -- are we going to support this kind of crap? InBev will undoubtedly cut costs and you can bet the axe will fall here in the U.S. That means we'll have more Americans out of work in an economy that is already struggling.
Nope. I'll never buy another drop of anything made by Anheuser-Busch and I hope a lot of other people feel the same way. These days, that's not much of a threat, of course -- my refusal to purchase Anheuser-Busch products will result in the sale of about one less case of beer a month. Now, if I were still in my 20s, I could cost the company a lot more than that.
But I'll do what I can to take a swipe or two at those Belgian corporate raiders. I hope the decision of InBev to take over Anheuser-Busch costs those rascals so much money they can't even afford to put syrup on their waffles in the morning. They suck and deserve to be shunned, forced into bankruptcy and generally humiliated.
Ruining InBev isn't an easy thing to do, of course, as everyone and his dog buys Anheiser-Busch products. When I was growing up, I knew a lot of families that always had plenty of Busch and/or Budweiser on hand. In college, I drank Busch and Busch Light Draft and swilled enough Budweiser in law school to fill several bathtubs. And I've pretty well stuck with Bud over the years. A lot of people are in the same boat. If enough Americans get mad enough to tell InBev to suck rocks, those weasels would pay dearly for their purchase of an American icon.
Fortunately, there are some solid American alternatives to what those filthy bastards at InBev have to offer. Boston Beer Co., assuming the InBev deal goes through, will be the largest, publicly traded American brewery. The Boston Beer Co. produces Samuel Adams, a darn fine beer that tastes better than anything Anheuser-Busch produces, anyway.
Sure a six of Samuel Adams may cost a bit more than the swill InBev is hawking, but what's an extra couple of bucks if it helps an American company and makes the economy stronger?
I've also started purchasing more Diamond Bear -- a beer produced by an Arkansas company. Yes, Diamond Bear is based in good ol' Little Rock and churns out a darn fine Honey Weiss, India Pale Ale and the wonder that is Southern Blonde. You've got some dandy seasonal beers, too, and a couple of off-kilter varieties that wind up served at Arkansas Travelers games (that's a minor league baseball team based in North Little Rock, kids).
So, wean yourselves of that nasty Anheuser-Busch slop and grab some Samuel Adams. Heck, find a local brewery you like and support it. It may cost a little more, but you'll at least be supporting an American company and that is nothing but good for all of us. Tell InBev to go straight to hell and do your part to punish them for a hostile takeover of a company that's absolutely ingrained in our unique American culture.
27 comments:
Methinks that this may be another evil that results from playing soccer. For InBev is at least half Brazilian, and even those who cannot tell a soccer ball from a hockey puck have heard of how those Brazilians love their soccer! Besides, they also play soccer in Belguim, and St. Louis was known as the capitol of soccer in this country when it first started infecting the minds of our youth and their moms in the 70's (I think).
I am repenting of my repenting over Samuel Adams Beer, however. For if you want a good ol' American brew, Lone Star is the one to grab.
Be forewarned, stay away from Pearl!!! For it was because of drinking massive quantities of the "stuff" that made Chuck Norris so ornery (and not in a good way, neither) in Lone Star McQuade.
There ain't gonna be any more Anheuser-Busch products in my refrigerator either. Bud Light and Bud Select used to be my all time favorites, but I guess I'm gonna have to switch.
I've had Lonestar beer too, Fishhawk, and it is actually pretty decent. Not to mention that the price is right.
I'm thinking micro-brews are the way to go. Bye Bye Bud.
Trust me, Hawg, I feel your pain. But then I have never been an ardent fan of Bud. When I came back from four years in Germany I found my taste buds had forever been altered and I prefer their brews to most of ours.
I do enjoy PBR and Rolling Rock, but Bud always seemed a little bitter to me.
InBev is just about the biggest brewers in the world. Unfortunately the Belgians like to lace their beers with all kinds of flavors that the Germans won't permit. Blue Moon is a good example. Too fruity.
That said, now if we wake up one morning and discover that Jack Daniels has been sold to the Polish I will be pissed.
lol...I never like Bud and thought it was a weak, bitter, watered down beer for a supposed "German recipe."
I've always preferred micro-brews. There's a good one in Fort Smith called Weidman. They used to have a restaurant, but the restaurant went bust. They usually serve up their brews at the Fort Smith Blues Festival every year. One year they even offered a Watermelon Ale.
There's nothing better than sittin' on the Arkansas River, listenin' to Keb Mo, while you're suckin' down some Watermelon Ale. Yeah, baby!
North Carolina has a lot of microbreweries. One is called "Carolina Blonde" and that is their signature beer, the Carolina Blonde Pale Ale.
Myself, I prefer the heartier lagers.
Being from the St. Louis area, believe me when I tell you this takeover was NOT popular. InBev has stated St. Louis will remain the North American headquarters, but it just seems to me that America is being auctioned off to the highest bidder, and a lot of people are sweating it out. The higher up in the organization you go, the more likely you're gonna get shafted.
I suppose the Statue of Liberty will be sold off next. After all, we have a war to pay for.
Well, AB will not darken my doorstep again! That is why Corona is drunk here and it keeps San Antonians with a job! :)
Hawg, you are so right. Anyone buying Bud is going to eventually put their neighbor out of work. And American companies being taken over is becoming the norm.
No other nation allows it. Why do we? Donald Trump was on Letterman last night, and he was saying the same thing.
We better support ourselves and each other because no one else is going to do it.
Last I checked, Hershey is moving some operations to Mexico.
All this is destroying the little guy while making billionaires a few bucks more.
There are only two beers that are worthy of The Mad Celt:
"Arrogant Bastard Ale"
http://www.arrogantbastard.com/
and Guinness, of course.
I've never had an AB product that was worth a damn anyhow.
fishhawk:
I like it. So, this is all part of one, big soccer-influenced conspiracy, is it? I could sign off on that theory...
I almost forgot about Lone Star. They sell that in at least one store in Little Rock. I should buy some of that again. Not bad stuff at all.
What? No Pearl Light? The next thing you know, you'll be saying to avoid Schlitz and Hamm's. Mercy!
mikey777:
I'm enjoying my decision to go with some good, Arkansas beer. That kind of wise purchasing will keep folks around here in a job.
InBud can take a flying leap.
da frog:
Nothing wrong with a good, German beer at all. Heck, I've bought a few myself.
However, an American company selling out to a foreign company bothers the hell out of me. It would be about like Guinness selling out to a company in Brazil.
And, yeah, fruity beer sucks. The German purity law is a good thing...
lala:
I've had some Weidman before! And how fitting is it that company would come up with a watermelon ale in this state? Fits Arkansas like a glove.
Heh. Weidman (or Diamond Bear) should have hired me to come up with a slogan -- "The taste of Arkansas in every bottle."
Yes, I missed my calling.
netta:
I bet folks in St. Louis were upset. What's next? The Cardinals selling out to owners in Chicago? The Gateway Arch being auctioned off to the French? Selling bits and pieces of our national identity to the highest bidder is something we're all going to regret.
linda:
Good for you! Corona is better stuff, anyway...
the mad celt:
Believe it or not, a friend of mine was raving about "Arrogant Bastard Ale" not long ago. I ought to buy some just because of the great name.
And, Guinness? Don't even get me started. Great stuff. You bring the Guinness, I'll bring the Bass Ale and we'll make some black and tans...
Selling out to foreign companies is just about a total thing nowadays. For the longest time, McIntosh were the only American-made stereos you could buy, but they were also bought out by the Japanese. If you want to take America down, buy them out from the inside and control their oil. The only market holding its own is the service sector, the lowest on the totem pole.
And all this from a non beer drinker...hmmm...
Theresa:
You're right, of course. It's just shocking to see such a massive company sold down the river.
Who saw that sale coming?
da old man:
You are exactly correct. The problem, so far, is that we don't care if we put our neighbor out of work if we can save a buck or two. We'd better be willing to spend a bit more in the future, however, or there won't be a decent American company left.
who know how many american business are left that are 100% american owned? Not much I would bet.
mike:
Too few, certainly.
Word up Dawg! I drink my favorite American Beer, Coor Lite. And, I love a local brew called Flying Dog. I will never buy another AB product...
OMG, I'm shocked you know Weidman's. I have a beer stein in my "hutch" from there (with a number on the bottom cause you could go back, order a beer and they would serve it in your own stein everytime.) Good brew! 'Nuff said.
And honestly, nothing says South like "watermelon" lol call it stereotypical...don't care...
gsmith:
I hope more people feel the same way. This AB sale could actually turn out for the best -- perhaps more people will take a look at their local brewers and support them. I like the idea of my money staying close to home.
Bravo!
Don't forget Vino's, either. And, everyone overlooks Pabst Blue Ribbon. I understand that in the 50s it was the snobby beat of choice. Commercials actually had some British house attendant serving it on a silver platter. Sometime in the 70s, it turned into the beer for the working class stiff.
These days, however, the Hollywood set have been seen with a can in their mitts.
If you're looking for a cheap American made and owned, lawn mower beer replacement for Bud, PBR is it.
Cheers!
Great post! I agree with you. I was shocked that they actually went through with the deal. Personally I prefer Corona, or Killian's anyway!
Thanks for the visit, and the comment ! I like your blog. :)
jay w:
You're description of PBR as a "lawnmower beer" is absolutely perfect. Why don't I think of things like that? I'd be stinking rich by now if such apt descriptions magically popped into my head. Lawnmower beer. Lawnmower beer. That's just perfect!
Jessica:
Thank you for the kind words. Stop by often and bring the beer (not Bud, of course).
I do believe I'll stick with some of the local stuff for awhile -- Diamond Bear Honey Weiss is pretty good and my wife hates it. So, that means there's more for me. Heh!
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