Belgian Brewer to Buy Anheuser-Busch
 

Belgian Brewer to Buy Anheuser-Busch

I'm not even a beer drinker, but this just seems wrong to me.

Global economy. There is no way to stop this train. As the US dollar continues to dive I am afraid we may be seeing more of this. Countries from the Middle East (oil rich), as well as China and India will be seeking to own a greater share of the US economy engine.

... besides their product is crap.

Stella is good beer.

I meant A-B is crap, they can have it. :) Cheap alcohol is a good investment in a turbulent economy.

Oh, sorry about that, I read it the other way around. Really I don't care who owns what anymore, well with the exception of security related assets, which beer is not.

Has anyone heard anything about what this deal will do to Anheuser-Busch owned properties like Sea World and Busch Gardens?

They're being taken over by Duff Gardens.

The only positive outcome I see (in my personal life) to these mega-corporations is a minor backlash that encourages people to patronise smaller businesses.

I was talking to a customer in the pub about it tonight. We're technically part of a chain as we are owned by a company. We have limited choice in what we sell and consequently only stock the really big names. BUT we are small enough to pass under their radar and have a much more personal feel because of it.

Ideally I'd like to work in a Freehouse (as I did back in Aylesbury) but there's precious few around in this area. Those that are - and those that appear to be, like us - are often treasured. If only we could get a few more real ales/ local brews in we'd be laughing.

I love to go in a pub and see something different on the pumps. I'm not a bitter drinker, but I figure if I see some unusual bitters I'm probably somewhere that's worth coming back to.

Why is smaller/local better?

More personal.
I'm free to give water to passing cyclists/ walkers. Or let them use our toilets. The chain HM works for actively discourages anyone trying to use the facilities or get free drinks. I like to think people's days are better for it.

We also uphold the East End tradition of free bar food on Sundays. Only cheese & crackers because we sell Sunday lunches. But it's welcoming. None of the chains offer this.

The shop I worked in in Leicester often offered extra services to customers that they would not have had from department store. We bent over backwards to help our customers because although we were on a set wage, we worked alongside the owners.

There is definitely place for both, but I try to patronise small local businesses where possible. Once they're gone, they're gone and the personal touch and any kind of negotiation is gone with it.

Also, in the wider view - local is far better for the environment.

Pubs in US operate totally differently from those in the UK. You can get pretty much any beer in any pub or restaurant, here -no link to manufacturers. Unlike soft drinks where it's the Coke line or the Pepsi line, but never both. The only exception (beer-wise) is pubs that brew their own (Microbreweries). they don't serve the competition in the main. Pubs are not generally owned or franchised by the breweries like they are in the UK. Why not, I don't know. Maybe because food is often a bigger part of it than it is in the UK.

Bitter is a type of beer for the few who thought SG was talking about her emotions.

Now I'm wondering if Americans use the word "punps" in relation to draft beer? On the pump means On Tap. You've got me all paranoid. I need another beer. (Bud)

UK Chain Pubs = US Walmart Stores

...they serve a purpose, but crush character and community.

Once again - my translator!
Ta.

that's what I mean about paranoid.... now I wonder who understands what and when it starts to be patronising ather than helpful..... but it's a totally different thing here.

I was a bitter drinker, but couldn't find anything to satisfy the pub bitter need here, so gave up totally and started to drink Bud. I never drank lager in the UK. NEVER. complete change. Only way. But I drink regular (normal) bitter back there.

Actually, I have found one "Irish" pub serving decent bitter, but it's downtown (no parking) and seriously expensive (no chugging), so it's a rare treat rather than a comfy retreat. Roll on the next world cup.....

Why can't anyone think about McCain in this?

How do you think he's going to catch up to Obama's fundraising?

because it's foreigners taking over an American company rather than the other way around?

eh?

Oh yes! By my reckoning that's when I next get laid!

(nothing to do with men being drunk - I work in a pub. Just to do with current frequency)

i remembered that, but decided not to mention it.....

Everyone knows what a (chain) is! That's not a good example.
Most American's /humans are petty good at inference and deductions.

Now if your just being silly and funny that's my problem as a flawed human not an american thing.

Chains in UK = Franchise in US. Closest thing, not perfect match. Not being silly. Pubs in UK work in a way for which there is no equivalent in the US. It's most like a franchise, but still different.

that's exactly Sundae's point (and mine), Sky -you're so sure you know what she's talking about because you know the word, but actually it represents a different concept on each continent.

McCain's wife is a big A-B stockholder.

May be they will make AB taste like some thing

I always worry about the details - like will the former Anheuser-Busch Budweiser switch from Clydesdales to Belgians now?

"Anheuser-Busch delivers its products to retailers through a large network of wholesalers and distributors.[23] In the United States, there are about 800 of these;[24] One of the largest is Hensley & Co. in Phoenix, Arizona, with yearly sales of over 20 million cases of Anheuser-Busch beers.[24], and whose chair is Cindy Hensley McCain, the wife of the Republican Presidential nominee for 2008, Senator John McCain of Arizona"

Wikipedia article here

Maybe smaller/local won't go crying to the Fed-Gov for tax dollars when they go belly up...

This story has pretty much been the only thing on the news here in the past few days...I wrote about it on my blog (7/14).

Needless to say, a lot of St. Louisans are upset...and surprisingly angry.