Comments on: Brewer’s Association top 50 brewing companies

By: HT

HT — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:00:22 +0000

As much as I love craft beer, there’s nothing like a cold, crisp Premo after a long day’s work.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:18:50 +0000

Ah, of course. I had completely forgotten about Grain Belt.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:58:48 +0000

“or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.”

Assuming the Brewer’s Association is right, Schell’s sell’s a lot of Grain Belt.

By: ryan

ryan — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:56:14 +0000

“The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewers Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 2 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored
malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25% of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50% of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.”

It sounds like Grain Belt is the key here since it’s not an all-malt beer. That being said, I still consider Schell’s to be a craft brewery.

By: Drew

Drew — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:37:00 +0000

I’m not sure if this has been covered before here, but why exactly isn’t Schell’s considered a craft brewer? Do the interesting beers that we get here in MN from Schell’s not make it past the border?