MdV: Merchant
du Vin beer e-newsletter – Thursday August 4, 2005: The Current State of Fine Beer in
We
are very pleased that Rochefort Trappist Ales are now part of the Merchant du
Vin portfolio:
http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/5_breweries/rochefort_beers.html
The
Men’s Journal, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Beverage World, Modern Brewery
Age, Ale Street News, Celebrator Beer News, Delta Air’s Sky Magazine . . . our
portfolio of fine beer is drawing attention!
Beer
festivals, dinners, and events are offering beer lovers all across
http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/news.html
Beer
Chat from the
We’re
importers of beers from European breweries, and our customers are some of the
greatest stores, bars and restaurants in
It
is true that some writers are dismissing beer in light of the growth of wine
& high-end spirits. Also, some of the
largest breweries have seen their market share flatten, and they may be working
harder than they have had to in the past.
But the increasingly beer-savvy American consumer is leading the movement,
and we are pleased that Americans who enjoy fine beer have better choices than
ever before. The qualities of great beer
have led to the following:
1. Fine beer in fine restaurants: It is clear
that there is a style of beer to match any cuisine, and it appears that chefs
and sommeliers are acknowledging this daily.
We’ve said it before: if you asked for a beer list at a fine restaurant
15 years ago they would be likely to laugh; now they offer a list that covers a
variety of styles from great European and American breweries . . . or at least the
server says, “you know, we are getting lots of requests for a beer list . . . “
2.
Education, delight, knowledge and joy in fine beer: Many committed stores,
bars, and restaurants have been putting energy (and money!) into their beer
selections, and they are reaping a benefit in sales. The fine beer experience makes consumers
happy, and as their interest and comfort grows they reward their favorite
retailers. Moreover, beer festivals are
held regularly across the country, and the delight and joy captured in a
quality beer – made with fine ingredients, a large dose of pride, with skill
& commitment, according to historical tradition and innovative modern
techniques – leads to a palpable sense of well-being and fortuity in beer
lovers. Educational resources for beer
are easier to come by than ever before as well: clubs, tastings, books, chat
rooms, great magazines, beer in the media, websites . . .
3. Recognition of beer in mainstream media:
“wine and spirits” pages in magazines now generally are about one-third wine,
one-third spirits, and one third beer.
(We’d like it if they changed their titles to “Beer, Wine and Spirits”
too.) Newspapers like the New York
Times, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Boston Herald, the LA Times, the
SF Examiner, the Philadelphia Daily News, and the Chicago Herald all have
regular columns on beer. Writers are
confirming: beer is no longer a generic fizzy yellow beverage, sold on its
“brand identity;” beer is a traditional
adult beverage with historical roots, regional traditions, myriad flavors,
tricky production techniques, varied ingredients, associated culture, and the
ability to complement food.
4. Organic Beer: It appears that the
5. Varieties & choice: Many beer writers –
even European beer writers – will now state that
6. Law Changes: in July 2004, it became legal in
The
purpose of this e-newsletter is to promote enjoyment, delight, and comfort in
fine beer as well as to provide information that might make it easier to buy or
to sell fine beer. Please forward this
to anyone who enjoys great beer.
If
you are reading this for the first time, check our archive at:
http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/enews_archive.html/
and
sign yourself up for e-news at:
http://www.merchantduvin.com/pages/1_about/guestbook.html
Of
course beer can make conversation better, but remember the one enhancement that
makes beer even tastier: conversation. When
you talk, remember to talk beer: about
beer styles, about where to get great beer, about laws, about brewery history,
about flavor. Talk about the value of
great beer (the finest beers in the world are a dime or a quarter per ounce –
try to find that with top-shelf wine or triple-distilled vodka). Tell your bartender that you would indeed buy
new offerings if they brought them in.
Suggest a beer you like to your favorite local store. Ask for the beer list at fine restaurants.
And
for building the current great state of fine beer in the
Merchant