The DARK Side of Craft Beer | Social Capital and Prestige Economy

[@Tastingnitch]

wow. dude. you are calling an end to the arrogant days of "holier than thou," beer mentality. is such a thing possible?

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Probably not, but I think it's very possible to make that mentality less rewarding than it is today. That would be a win in my book

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

🍺 I believe that it is. In fact there's a few Brewing Companies now in the process of merging. Sierra Nevada just acquired a Brewing Co. Samuel. Adams beer in the Boston Beer Co actually gained A Nice Jump in profits! YET THE SAM ADAMS BEER IS ON THE DOWN SLIDE! The profits came from the Angry Orchard Cider Co & Twisted Tea Brands. The Craft Beer Market is loosing consumers to FMB's Flavored Malt Beverages, RTD Cocktails, Wine, Light Beer, Import Beers 🍻 especially Mexican. Beers. Source Beverage Industry Magazine, & The Beverage Industry Association as well as the Brewers Association! Cheers 🍻🍷🍷

[@FullGlassDani]

Everyone has an opinion...this aspect of the beer industry has seriously depressed me for the past three years, and as a result I find myself veering away from the industry altogether. Enjoy the beer you like and don't judge others. Thanks for the video as always Ryan.

[@Thoadin]

expending my knowledge of making “home alcohol” (wine, mead,cider) to brewing. I realize that there is so much to learn in style of beer’s. No wonder the majority drink big brand, there is not much publicity for small breweries and even less information on the style of the big brand beers. cheers from a lambic fan who can put a name on it.

[@ruofanfang1047]

As an anthropology student and a homebrewer....subbed

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@distlledbrewedreviewed]

Man the key to great beer and what's very hard for home and small (craft) brewers is...consistency.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Too right. That's the key to long term success. Cheers!

[@squiremuldoon5462]

Another dark side of craft beer is that when a brewery pops up in your neighborhood, rent is about to go up.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

A great point. I may have to look into this... Cheers

[@AndrewBaumanAZ]

With the beer market moving to RTD's and share being lost to spirits (not even mentioning the marijuana factor...), there is no place for snobbery. I'm a craft brewer by trade and I've always embraced people drinking beer- any beer. Do I personally drink "big beer"? No. But I'm not going to look down on anyone who does. I may try encouraging people to branch out from fizzy yellow beer to an amber or a craft lager, but I'm never going to get aggressive towards someone drinking Bud Light. Your breakdown of prestige capital is very insightful. A couple of months ago I was fortunate to be part of the Brewer's Association board meeting. Let me tell you, when Charlie Papazian walks into the room, EVERYONE shuts up and listens. We're talking about owners of some of the most prestigious breweries in the country! He walks in, and a hush comes over the room. It's almost bizzare, and it speaks to your exact point.

[@JoeCharp]

Hi Ryan, I just ran into your channel. I'm really enjoying these videos. This felt let a Freakonomics episode about craft beer industry. Really digging it

[@bumpy-isms]

Nicely put together Ryan.... when you asked this question about folks putting down bud drinkers in CBPs steam......I wondered how you'd make it into a video Cheers

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Thanks so much. Cheers!

[@JamesWatheist]

You are exactly right and this so something I've thought about before. I love a wide variety of beers, I love trying new beers, I love craft beers. I don't always drink craft thought because sometimes you just want a beer that doesn't cost $14 for a 6 pack. I love great food, but I don't eat at high end restaurants all the time because it's just not practical. The idea that everything has to be gourmet and there is no place for a staple is to me perverse. Staples: not high end or special but: always available, decent, economical, universally agreeable.

[@yearginclarke]

I agree with that for sure. You would think this would be common sense. If all you ate and drank was only the best available, you kinda lose appreciation for it after a while IMO. I keep macro lagers around for an everyday cheap beer. I've had some people turn their nose up at me because I didn't have an IPA or pale ale or something like that to offer. Well too bad, buy your own beer! I actually like some of the mass produced lagers, miller high life is my favorite of those.

[@johnmurphy8189]

Cheers to you too for a great and thoughtful video.

[@mikeschnorr5396]

On point! I personally like darker beers but that doesn't mean I don't try craft IPAs or any other new beer style just to see how it tastes. One of my best friends is a nano-brewer who prefers lighter styles but that doesn't affect our friendship. We both regularly look for new brewers/styles as we travel and share them on a regular basis. We can still discuss the qualities of each beer based on the normal judging standards and our personal tastes. And he will still make me batches of bacon beer or any other flavor I decide I would like to try (That is his niche market). My experience with craft beer people is that they are less judgemental of opposing tastes, but are simply looking for feedback to make a better quality or different kind of beer! I am sure that even they would not want to drink the same exact beer for the next 10 or 20 years without trying something different... Craft beer has just begun!

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Very right that Craft beer has just begun. Looking forward to seeing where it goes from here

[@stephanegagnon5430]

The Dark side in general is NOT Respecting other choice. It's really sad to see so much ''if your not like me, You must die'' almot not exaggerated. Some people just dont care about to be the most taste full and just want to have a good time. For me the more epicurean undertand my passion for craftbeer and other dont, but waterever. Ill drink a bud light if a friend give it to me.

[@bradholbrook3023]

I like your final points that you make. Taking beer and making it something that divides people is the biggest sin I see. Throughout history, beer has been something that has brought people together. And while in those pubs, bars and saloons people have gotten together to conquer all sorts of problems, socialize and share ideas, plans and dreams. I'm thinking all of our government leaders should all go out together and have a few brews. Things would probably be a lot more cordial and more things would get done for the benefit of the rest of us. Remember "Hands Across America"? I think we need something like "Beers Across America"! Anyone with me?

[@claytonhennigan5759]

Excellent video! Loved your structure and position 👍

[@asdf9890]

I love craft beer and turn my nose up at macro lagers, but I don't push my preferences on others. If they want an easy drinking beer, I can appreciate that. I know that my choice in beer's bitterness, or other strong flavors may be off putting to people. I remember when I first got into it, I didn't really like IPA's, but now that is my everyday beer style, it's an acquired taste that I had to become accustomed to after many pints over the years.

[@dannyrascal9032]

Great video my friend really appreciate the thought behind it!

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!

[@stanwinarski7059]

I am somewhat sheepish by how significantly brand affects my taste. Unless the tastinng was a blind one I would always be comparing your home brew to Pliny ratther than your home brew and Pliny to each other. It excites me when one of my favorite brands blows me out of the water, but it is hard to get excited by a taster of something out of this world that I will never have again. I consider anyone who wants to talk about beer a friend, even if they want to extol the virtues of a macro because I would find it thought provoking (if I let it). Cheers everyone, Happy Thanksgiving and

[@realpolicetalk]

Great job my friend. P.S. I like the guy with the spear.

[@ahoffmanstudios]

I'll take a pint of that homebrew! Fantastic video, lots of great points.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Thanks so much. Cheers!

[@flacosbeerreviews224]

Dude I totally love all the knowledge you drop on us. Cheers brother . Keep em coming 🍻

[@flacosbeerreviews224]

We KZbinrs trade beers all the time . It helps us grow and is fun to do . .so cool to hear you break this down. Cheers again 🍻

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Glad you enjoyed my crazy ramblings haha. Cheers!

[@diverbob33]

This is more a commentary on social media than it is the craft beer industry. Craft brewers/breweries are simply fulfilling a need that the industrial producers are simply too large to meet.

[@thegoodlydragon7452]

I can see your point with the more ridiculous comments about Bud Lite being "racist" and stupid crap like that, but I have to say that fans of those industrial Lagers sometimes obnoxiously try to gain the prestige of being more macho by being more common, and that's a kind of snobbery of its own. If they said, "well it's cheaper," I can respect that, but if they're trying to act like they're better or more of a man because they drink the "real beer" made from corn syrup and rice, even though it is of objectively lower quality, then they have kind of brought a knife to a gun fight with that attitude. Some of these commercials try to portray the craft beer which is closer to what our great great grandparents knew as the weird fake stuff and Bud as the real deal. That is clearly ridiculous and not a live-and-let-live attitude. Also if you're trying to save money and willing to skip on quality, malt liquor will obviously maximize bang for buck more than Bud.

[@thegoodlydragon7452]

Of course this has nothing to do with Trump, that commenter was a moron.

[@1685Violin]

17:35-19:00 I don't want to say anything political here in a video about beer but the people who connected domestic beer products with "unintelligent" or anti-intellectual Trump supporters just show how those people of a certain political faction have a one-dimensional view of how politics work other than supporting their politics for their own interests. I'm pretty sure there are plenty of craft beer lovers that also support Trump of all political factions. This is just ridiculous.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Too right. Very well said. Cheers!

[@MrGoodH]

Amen

[@lukaswint7067]

you didn't want to say anything political, so you say something political! You forgot your medication today?

[@drunkinone5969]

I agree. People should drink what they like and leave everyone else alone. Great video once again. Cheers =) *home brew*

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Too right. Thanks Drunkinone! Cheers!

[@richardsavila]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Thanks so much. Cheers!

[@Skogsmard]

The Whisk(e)y vault channel's motto very much applies to this situation: "The best whisk(e)y is the whisk(e)y YOU like to drink, the way YOU like to drink it". If you swap the word whisk(e)y for Beer, it is a good philosophy to live by. At the very least you are more likely to meet interesting beer geeks using that mindset than by being an asshole. I happen to personally despise all lagers, craft or macro, but if you want to drink that stuff, fine by me. I'll enjoy the fact that there will be more stout and IPA left over for me.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Absolutely. Great comment and way to live. Cheers!

[@boiler3285]

I am happy to inform you that I have liked your video. This will change your life forever. You will now be able to use this prestige increase your subscriber count to beyond 100k within a few days. Congratulations...and I look forward to your Pliny clone in the near future.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

I feel richer already

[@roopnarinericky]

I would have picked your beer 🍺 100% because i would rather support an individual rather than any business any day. Especially if I'm being approached by that individual and they are being friendly. Rather drink a friend's beer than a strangers beer. 🍺

[@donsmith8300]

I'm a bible thumper and I love beer! Lol

[@Tastingnitch]

oooh! premier ! fancy!

[@bringyourempties]

You are fancy being first on the video!

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Only the most professional stuff here 🍺😂🔥

[@suiderkruisbrewers1998]

Prety well said.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Thanks so much! Cheers!

[@colekerry2505]

Enjoyed the video. I not only voted for Trump, I volunteered for the campaign, and I've been drinking craft beer since....there was craft beer. I abhor the strain of pretentiousness that is on display in those tweets. I honestly don't care what other people drink. Why should I? I certainly don't think it's my job, as a craft beer aficionado, to opine on the beer choices of others. Twitter is cancer.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

I know, Twitter was some pretty low hanging fruit but it's an attitude that goes far beyond that. Glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers!

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

Craft Beer is already done... Wine & RTD Mixed Drinks Craft Distilleries cut into Share of Market... Bud Light is Going To Put Nutrition Labels on it's Beer This Year! Say 110 Cal vs 400 cal in a Society where FITNESS is on a Huge BOOM. Light Beer will gain Share... I do not like the Prestige of Craft Beer.. Prestige = $$$$$$ No Quality... Cheers Buddy!

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Good points as always. Will be curious to see how the Craft sector handles the nutritional label "challenge"

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

I believe Pale Ale, Kolch, Blonde Ale, & Beers Like Dog Fish Head's Sea Quench Ale.... Cheers!

[@FreddyDUZ747]

I cant say I think too much about the calories when I'm enjoying a fluid I like instead of lowering your standard to meet a calorie intake number that varies from person to person anyway.Gym/fitness people are not the target audience of Craft Beer sales and they can easiy do without that area.If people really knew what it cost to bottle a low carb beer and then what they pay Id think they would boycott it purely due to the markup of the product.Craft beer is going to gain in leaps and bounds again this year in Australia.The days of drinking dish water are becoming less and less.

[@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews]

@@FreddyDUZ747 OMFG DUDE I CAN IN FACT BREW JUST ABOUT ANY CRAFT BEER FOR PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR! FACT! NEXT Depending on Your Age & if you are on HRT CALLORIES ARE IMPORTANT! Craft Beer is on the way out Fact! Samual Adams claims more REVENUE until you see where it's coming from!!! FACT ANGRY ORCHARD CIDERS & TWISTED TEA! A FEW CRAFT BREWERIES WENT BELLY UP THIS YEAR! Sam Adams actually had a 3%'Dip in Craft Beer! Fact! Good Luck i!

[@FreddyDUZ747]

@@BackWoodsBillyCraftBeerReviews the country applicable to me has a huge positive growth trend with craft beer....you can take that to the bank.People will always drink dish water beer to blend in and feel like they are beer drinkers....then there's a huge percentage that want taste and depth in a beer.....how many years has Stout been appreciated?You have a wider window to appreciate my friend.All beer is here to stay....id suggest you look into how many non craft beer businesses have gone belly up also.Cant have blinkers on mate.

[@scartsjer]

Amen

[@CasperTheSwapper]

I choose your homebrew.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Seems to be a lot more people than I though. :) Cheers!

[@ji3946]

Lets face it, this vid should be called "The DARK side of Social Media" because you could replace "beer" with almost anything like art or furniture. Do you buy your bookcase at Ikea or is it handmade by bearded hippies? Your friends will judge you on it

[@T6767676767676767]

I drink all the above DRUNKINONE SAID IT ALL .................................CHEERS

[@massivebeers]

I dunno ... I think a persons idea of what’s prestigious is as subjective as what “is” good beer or art or music. Most of the beer people I know would ask for a pint of someone’s homebrew if that person could spot on duplicate a universally revered brewers recipe. Why did I come to that conclusion, the opposite of your example? Could be a bunch of different reason, but I think it’s just plain maturity (at least in the beer world). And I think that’s really whats really at your videos core, at least the second half of it. You’re basically telling people to “grow up and evolve”, be mature, but that’s just not something you can tell someone to do. The ideal of wanting people to dispense with blind hate (stealing social capital) is great but what if their 1) not capable (some people are just not built that way) or 2) not mature enough to do so. I think of the beer community like it’s a human growing up. Sure don’t know the exact numbers but I would guess that 80 percent of people into beer nowadays are relatively new, like just getting into beer over the past 5-10 years, that’s pretty young in beer nerdery standards ... in beer years I’d put that snake dab in the adolescent stage of growth. Combine that with the demographics in today’s beer culture combined with using social media as a test bed, you have a bunch of 20-30 year olds who are essentially in their adolescent stage of their beer life falling in love with something they just found. It’s been a while but when I was a teenager I made a hell of a lot of stupid decisions and remarks about shit that I was absolutely positive I knew everything about ... at that age when adults told me to grown up I scoffed at them. I wish I was wiser to take their advice, but I wasn’t, and that’s growing up. Trim the holier than thou percentile that is “everything I love is awesome and everything you like that I don’t like sucks” crowd from the group you just have a group of people learning and growing and evolving however awkward that may be. Most of the people I know who genuinely love good beer and have been in it for a while have reached the point where they’ve kicked the blind hate to the curb for a more thoughtful and careful approach that I think comes with that growing up stage. I applaud your want to live in that world and your urging for others to follow, but I think it’s more of a enjoy that you now subscribe to that mantra than a call to arms to have others who just might be ready to follow.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Great thoughts. A lot to digest here. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@massivebeers]

Okay ... thanks for engaging in conversation and for the thoughtful and non-generic response.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

My apologies. I actually meant "a lot to digest" literally as I was trying to get back to quite a few people this morning before work. I was coming back to it but should have waited. love the analogy of a community growing up around a sector of the industry that's growing up as well. Perhaps you're right that the community will naturally mature like coming out of adolescence and what I'm seeing is a consequence of that transition rather than a call to action. I certainly have gone through evolutions in my thinking about beer. And I guess I could just be preaching to the choir here, but as I said at the end of the video, I'm not asking for users to police the behavior. It's just that in the eyes of the social media algorithms, a like is a like and a retweet is a retweet, regardless of why you clicked the button. If these are the angry outbursts of an adolescent community we shouldn't be affirming them in the same way (likes & retweets) we do a nice press release from the brewers association. A flaw of social media for sure, but it's ultimately up to the community to decide how we use social media. Anyway, great stuff, would love to watch a video if you had more thoughts on the matter :)

[@pugawugum7458]

Am I the only one who noticed the moaning and groaning in the background? 1:05 More groaning, then pounding proceeds 3:47 Gasping, then the woman says, "Guilty", then screams 4:08 What the hell is going on? Why would you post this beer video to KZbin while someone's in the throes of passion? It's messed up. I didn't think much of it at first, but as it continued, I can't think of what else it could be or why this would be an appropriate addition to the video.

[@TGunn1986]

But how can cicerones or other beer nerds hope to be taken as seriously as sommeliers without being elitists assholes? I like a nice DIPA, or Belgian Quad, or a Lambic, etc., etc. But sometimes, I'm just at a regular bar or venue or I just want something to knock back and don't wanna break the bank. Then I'll reach for a MILLER Lite....or whatever you're buyin. Haha. Good video 👍

[@neckknee8]

great vid. that's all you get . lol

[@msz915]

I voted Trump and LOVE Dogfish Head, Drinking a Liquid Truth Serum as I type But also respect what others drink.

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Right? These tweets just don't make sense. Cheers

[@coastxcoastoutdoors4736]

Haha beer snobbery

[@BeerByTheNumbers]

Always easy to find examples haha