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apgreader's review against another edition
4.0
This book was very interesting, especially if you like beer. It is incredibly well researched and we'll written. You go from cheering for Goose Island to hating them to understanding. It also was very illuminating how underhanded AB inbev has been throughout history. My only wish was that it included a timeline that summarized all of the events described in the book.
doowpik's review against another edition
3.0
The story of the Anheuser-Busch takeover of Chicago brewer Goose Island in 2011. This was the first of ten craft beer acquisitions by AB in a six-year period. Goose Island IPA went from 35th to 3rd in total IPA sales because of AB’s vast distribution network. Was it a win or a loss for craft beer? They had to sell out to sell more.
spikegelato's review against another edition
4.0
4.25 out of 5 stars
An engrossing read about the birth of the craft beer revolution and the way in which "Big Beer" dealt with that market disruption. A must-read for any craft beer enthusiast who is interested in the history and business side of beer in the United States.
An engrossing read about the birth of the craft beer revolution and the way in which "Big Beer" dealt with that market disruption. A must-read for any craft beer enthusiast who is interested in the history and business side of beer in the United States.
mmamckinney's review against another edition
5.0
A fascinating well researched and well organized essay on Big Beer's war against craft beer that started with its acquisition of Goose Island in 2011. A great mix of thoroughly researched data mixed with just enough commentary.
oldrunningmom's review
5.0
This is an immensely readable and excellent book about the evolution of craft beer and the stealthy takeover by big beer aka Budweiser and Miller. Chicago's own Goose Island, a small family-owned craft brewery that opened in 1988 is the center of the story. I remember going there and thinking who would pay $5 for a beer? Until I tried it. It was unlike any beer I drank in Milwaukee when I attended college! My husband and I quickly became fans of the beer and the brewpubs. In fact, my husband started brewing his own beer and as a member of the Chicago Beer Society, attended meetings at Goose Island. The three times I ran the Chicago Marathon, the beer at the finish line was Goose Island 312 Wheat Beer. It was freshly tapped off of the Goose Island bus and it tasted better than anything I've ever had at a race.
When rumors started spreading about Goose Island's sale to ABI, we, along with many Chicagoans, were shocked and saddened. The demise of the beer was predicted. Last summer, my husband and I attended a Cubs game at Wrigley. I was SO excited to see vendors selling cans of Goose Island 312. At $11 a can, it was pretty expensive, but I figured it would be worth it. The first sip was a shock. The beer tasted like Budweiser and that was not a good thing. My husband and I both thought it was awful. Our next beers were from the specialty beer stand inside the ballpark. I had Lagunitas. Now that's what I'm talking about..
I found this book just fascinating. Not just because of my history with Goose Island beer, but also the whole David and Goliath theme with beer. It seems that in pursuit of profits and market share, big beer is hell-bent on homogenizing our taste buds. Since craft beer is such a small part of the beer market, why can't they leave enough alone? Read this book--you'll be surprised to find out which craft beers are owned by big beer. I know I was. The author knows his topic and did his homework
When rumors started spreading about Goose Island's sale to ABI, we, along with many Chicagoans, were shocked and saddened. The demise of the beer was predicted. Last summer, my husband and I attended a Cubs game at Wrigley. I was SO excited to see vendors selling cans of Goose Island 312. At $11 a can, it was pretty expensive, but I figured it would be worth it. The first sip was a shock. The beer tasted like Budweiser and that was not a good thing. My husband and I both thought it was awful. Our next beers were from the specialty beer stand inside the ballpark. I had Lagunitas. Now that's what I'm talking about..
I found this book just fascinating. Not just because of my history with Goose Island beer, but also the whole David and Goliath theme with beer. It seems that in pursuit of profits and market share, big beer is hell-bent on homogenizing our taste buds. Since craft beer is such a small part of the beer market, why can't they leave enough alone? Read this book--you'll be surprised to find out which craft beers are owned by big beer. I know I was. The author knows his topic and did his homework
whatsbookinjenni's review
informative
slow-paced
4.5
I have been fascinated with craft breweries since frequenting and falling in love with Imminent Brewing (Northfield, MN) since shortly after my 21st birthday. I always found the community spirit at that brewery to be so uplifting and loved discovering beers that I truly loved (I personally have always thought Budweiser, Coors, and Miller all taste like garbage) brewed by people with a love and talent for the craft. In all aspects of my life, shopping local is one of my top priorities, in large part due to the power small, innovative businesses have in building community, and so patronizing and supporting craft breweries became a natural extension of that for me.
This all meant that when I first heard about this book, at some point in the year after my 21st birthday, I knew I wanted to read it. And boy was I impressed! This was one of the most well-research, engaging non-fiction books that I have read in a long time. The history of craft brewing is fascinating, as are the political and business machinations that have happened in recent years. Because of the ways in which craft breweries position themselves in our larger capitalist system (as the antithesis to the “big bad” corporations of the world—similar in some ways to independent bookstores), the inevitability of profits overtaking authenticity and integrity is heart-breaking, but, as Josh Noel argues, somewhat inevitable. The breakdown of craft beer was made more circumspect by the likes of brewery founders like Josh Noel, who approached the creation of a brewery not out of a love of the craft but as a viable business venture. For these reasons, this book brought to my mind a lot of questions about the power small businesses have against more powerful corporations, as well as the power we have as consumers in pushing back against the products of corporations and supporting local products.
The reason I knocked it down half a star was not necessarily a fault of the book, as this book is about business, but sometimes the business discussion just went over my head. Additionally, there are a lot of players at the different companies in question that get name-dropped quite frequently, often without their title/role, which often confused me. Other than that small critique, I loved this book. If you are also interested in craft brewing, behind-the-scenes looks at business acquisitions, and/or the lack of souls that large multi-national corporations have, I would highly recommend this book!
This all meant that when I first heard about this book, at some point in the year after my 21st birthday, I knew I wanted to read it. And boy was I impressed! This was one of the most well-research, engaging non-fiction books that I have read in a long time. The history of craft brewing is fascinating, as are the political and business machinations that have happened in recent years. Because of the ways in which craft breweries position themselves in our larger capitalist system (as the antithesis to the “big bad” corporations of the world—similar in some ways to independent bookstores), the inevitability of profits overtaking authenticity and integrity is heart-breaking, but, as Josh Noel argues, somewhat inevitable. The breakdown of craft beer was made more circumspect by the likes of brewery founders like Josh Noel, who approached the creation of a brewery not out of a love of the craft but as a viable business venture. For these reasons, this book brought to my mind a lot of questions about the power small businesses have against more powerful corporations, as well as the power we have as consumers in pushing back against the products of corporations and supporting local products.
The reason I knocked it down half a star was not necessarily a fault of the book, as this book is about business, but sometimes the business discussion just went over my head. Additionally, there are a lot of players at the different companies in question that get name-dropped quite frequently, often without their title/role, which often confused me. Other than that small critique, I loved this book. If you are also interested in craft brewing, behind-the-scenes looks at business acquisitions, and/or the lack of souls that large multi-national corporations have, I would highly recommend this book!
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