Because Sam Adams holds itself out as a "craft" brewery whereas AB does not. Though I suppose selection still would've been limited to beers under the AB umbrella but that's a wider spectrum than Sam/Boston Beer Co.
Sox, Sam Adams Announce Official Partnership
- Thread starter The Talented Allen Ripley
- Start date
Well, that's their brand name and what's on their packaging and advertisement. Would be kind of weird having "Sam" up there.
I'd think Bud would have way more leverage to limit other brands of beer being poured at Fenway than Sam Adams. I doubt the new association impacts anything, but that's just a guess on my part. AB cares very much about craft sales eating into their bottom line, it's why they're buying up smaller breweries left and right.
I have it on pretty good authority that Fenway is thinning its beer selections this season. Not sure it's entirely because of this deal (maybe some skus just didn't sell enough), but from what I was told it is pretty significant.
From what I recall, the following won't be in Fenway anymore (and this is from memory as I wasn't going to ask him to forward me the email he was reading from): Jack's Abby, Smuttynose, Narragansett, Goose Island, Blue Moon, Blue Point, Leinenkugel... probably a few I'm forgetting as well. I think he said they would only be carrying 18 beers total between bottle and draft.
It's also worth noting that Sam Adams makes Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea, and Truly hard seltzer. This deal included all of those as well and they should all be part of the Fenway assortment.
From what I recall, the following won't be in Fenway anymore (and this is from memory as I wasn't going to ask him to forward me the email he was reading from): Jack's Abby, Smuttynose, Narragansett, Goose Island, Blue Moon, Blue Point, Leinenkugel... probably a few I'm forgetting as well. I think he said they would only be carrying 18 beers total between bottle and draft.
It's also worth noting that Sam Adams makes Angry Orchard, Twisted Tea, and Truly hard seltzer. This deal included all of those as well and they should all be part of the Fenway assortment.
Well that pretty much guarantees no beer for me in Fenway, my choices the past few years were the Jack's Abby House Lager and Smuttynose Finestkind IPA. Although I knew with the Smuttynose auction they were probably pulling out regardless.
I was worried after the opener that the bullpen was all Brulee and too little Creme.
I get it from a business perspective, but I wish sometimes pro sports teams would think more about the fan experience - in other words, take the long view. Attending pro sports events is crazy expensive, and there is a lot of competition for our entertainment dollars. Give me options to enjoy my favorite beer at the park - that stuff matters.
Cost of pro sports attendance isn’t sustainable - going to crash down at some point.
Cost of pro sports attendance isn’t sustainable - going to crash down at some point.
Perhaps, but not offering the latest quadruple IPad or Sour Beer isn't going to be the reason.
Do we think folks who just won't have a beer will wait on line on a 45 degree day just because it is Sam Adams?
Didn't really see much Friday other than Sam Summer, Sam '75 or 76 (what is that?), Bud light, Coors light (not really beer but whatever) and Harpoon IPA. Kinda surprised to see the Harpoon quite frankly.
Sam Summer always out this early? Seems like Sam Spring.
Sam Summer always out this early? Seems like Sam Spring.
I’m not a fan. It seems near impossible to find anything other than Sam on tap. Had a much broader offering under the Bud partnership...