Two-four for Two-four No more!

Very quietly in December, something happened! The floor price of beer went from $24 to $25.60. How many people actually noticed and did they really care?

CBC radio in Sudbury surveyed some of their listeners and consumers one day in December and miraculously found that virtually no one noticed or cared. So now the question that we should all ask is WHY?

A lot of folks would like to believe that the big bad brewers suddenly decided they needed more money and therefore would unceremoniously jack the prices of our favourite beers up. Not so my friends - instead look to Mr. McGuinty and his group for our most recent increase in beer prices. So, now we now WHO and we should then move on to WHY. This is really easy - Beer delivers huge $ to the provincial government - In fact, almost 52% of the price of beer is tax. Here's the next thing to consider - beer is somewhat recession proof, not totally but our sales actually continue to grow in bad financial times mainly because it is relatively low priced in comparison with other alcohol beverages. The next item on the WHY list is that we need something to drown our sorrows in an beer is a perfect companion.

I'm not one of the consumers who is affected by this price increase - for one mainreason. 1) I spend most of my time trying to elevate the status of beer and discount brands just don't do that. However - there are tons of beer enthusiasts out there that like discount/value brands because they satisfy their needs and I'm not the guy to tell you any different. I would however make one small suggestion - have a variety of beers on hand! Not all of your friends, guests want to drink the same beer as you and as a good host, it is incumbent on you to provide some choice.

I wish you all the best in your beer endeavours and sign off with

Cheers, Prosit and Sante

Regaining our Pride as a Nation

On a recent trip to Germany, I found something profoundly different. People in Germany are fiercely nationalistic and proud of anything that comes out of their country. In Canada, we often are comfortable believing that anything that is produced in Europe or other countries is somehow better - better production, better ingredients - just better.

This is not a recent phenomenon. We have thought this way for a long time and 2009 should be time when we try to get back to our support of our local businesses. Now, I'm not advocating a total ban of imported items but we should at least explore the hard work and sweat from our local producers.

German beers are outstanding, well produced beers that are bound by a purity act dating back to 1516. The good folks in Germany believe wholeheartidly that this act founded in the state of Bavaria actually makes them better brewers. Better, my friends, is a subjective word. They are none the less outstanding beers....but better? Not sure about this. By the way, most of the people I spoke to in Germany love to support the local brewers, not just the big guys.

2009 should force us to look at the wonderful brewers in our local regions. Our major brewers such as Labatt, Molson and Sleeman are fantastic breweries who understand that quality and quantity aren't necessarily separate ideas. Craft brewers or micro breweries are growing in most regions and are showing the creativity and innovation that the industry desparately needs. They offer stylistically interesting beers that will open your eyes to what beer really is. Join me in exploring the world of Canadian beer this year. Canadian brewers are afterall very highly repsected around the world.

Enjoy your beer journies safely, responsibly and with your friends.

Roger