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American ale wins Aussie beer comp

Seeing that a Pale Ale from an American micro brewery won the Aussie beer comp the other day brings to mind a seminar I attended on the same weekend in Adelaide by one of Coopers brewmasters. He stated - quite correctly I believe - that 98% of all beer sold in Australia is controlled by just two companies - Carlton United Breweries and Lion Natahan from NZ. Coopers and Boags control most of the remaining 2%. This seems suggests that these two companies or their subsideries also control most of the imported specialties. Healthy competion? - I think not. With 2000 odd micros in America I don't that Australia will ever win one of it's own comps again. There must be something that can be done to break this duopoly.

Reply to
QD Steve
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Just curious....which American Pale ale won?

Best regards, Bill

Reply to
Bill Becker

Actually, though the growth of microbreweries has been a surprising development over the past 20 years in the US, total sales of beer in the US ISN'T that much different that Australia, I'd say.

The top 3 brewers (Anheuser-Busch, Miller [including Miller-brewed Pabst brands] and Coors) make something like 85% of the beer sold. Light beers grow every year and now account for 45% of the market, with light beers 4 of the top 5 brands and the biggest selling beer at each of the big 3 brewers. Imported beer growth has also taken off in the last 20 years, going from 2% to 10% of the market BUT it is overwhelmingly dominated by two brands, Corona and Heineken, with Canadian brands dominating the rest of the top 10. Craft beer accounts for only 5 percent of the market.

Don't confuse good beer with market share is the lesson, I suppose.

Reply to
jesskidden

On the other hand, at least in most major US markets, most places will have some micro on draft, so there is greater choice.

Reply to
Caldebs1

Well, "most"? I suppose, if you include Sam Adams brands that maybe true..

No doubt, but that wasn't my point. Sure, there is an amazing selection of beer styles and brands in many areas of the US, obviously much greater than in Australia. The point was that just because 2 companies dominate the Aust. beer market doesn't mean a healthy microbrewery movement can't develop and survive with only a couple of percentage points of the market. In fact, in the US, the Big 5 of brewing became the Big 3 and kept gaining market share, light beers continued to grow, and small regional breweries continued to disappear WHILE the microbrewery revolution simultaneously occurred.

Reply to
jesskidden

Pelican IPA, from Paciic City, OR.

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------->Denny

Reply to
Denny Conn

If they passed out awards for *beautiful locations* for brewpubs, Pelican would be a top 3 pick. Right on the beach on a lovely stretch of the Oregon coast. I've had some memorable times there. Excellent beer and food.

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Cheers!

EFB

Reply to
Eric Berg

It's a great place that will be even better once they finish their remodel.

-------->Denny

Reply to
Denny Conn

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