So, I’m talking to a friend who has an interview with a major wine company tomorrow and she is picking my brain on wine trends. Sadly at 11:30 at night on a perfectly wine friendly Wednesday, I must admit I’m not in the wine groove. I am, however, thinking a great deal about beer. Not only did I get to go to the Big Pour here in Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago (I do love me a good beer fest), but this David and Goliath story about microbrews taking market share from big papas Budwiser and Miller is everywhere. A particularly well written and pithy article was written by Damien Hoffman this week.

Hoffman writes about Budwiser’s loss of loyalty over the last 7 years, going from 16th to 223rd when ranked by Brand Loyalty Leaders List (who?) from 2003 to 2010. Apparently Budweiser’s reaction is to give away free beer. Interesting, but probably not useful. Everyone has had a Bud at one point or another, either tailgating, at some drunken college party or when there was really no other choice. No one will be surprised by its taste and switch from a microbrew.

I feel that Hoffman’s best point is that regarding Budweiser’s choice to continue fighting this downward spiral rather than doing what technology companies have done for years: buy out your competitor. “There’s no need to fight a trend when you are one of the richest companies in the world … just buy the trend.” I heartily agree.

I may not be up for helping on wine tonight, but beer? I am all over reporting someone else’s ideas about beer.

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