The world's largest beer maker should be worried about its survival
It may seem odd to picture the demise of the flagship brand of the world’s largest beer company. But Anheuser-Busch – the U.S.-based unit of AB InBev – is following in the footsteps that led to the irrelevance of a host of other once-dominant companies – Eastman Kodak, Woolworth’s Department Stores, Bethlehem Steel and Blockbuster Video, to name a few.
While AB InBev shareholders are cheering each move to boost short-term profitability by snapping up other companies – including the US$110 billion takeover of rival SABMiller – CEO Carlos Brito may be unwittingly digging Anheuser-Busch’s grave by ignoring long-term trends.
How could the rational pursuit of profits and growth through acquisition mean the beginning of the end for Anheuser-Busch?
This, we would argue, is a case of disruption theory in action. And the disruptors are the growing ranks of craft brewers that are collectively changing the industry and beer consumption habits as consumers increasingly shun Anheuser-Busch and its products – the disrupted – for beers made locally and with a wider variety of higher-quality ingredients.
http://www.businessinsider.com/budweiser-may-be-fighting-for-its-survival-2016-5
Bonus quote:
You could make Coors from swamp water and it would be exactly the same.
Good beer is going mainstream now. I got this article from my daughter's track coach's Twitter.
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I'm lucky in that Firestone brewery just opened a new brewery within walking distance.
They are brewing some beers unique to this facility and they are amazing!
Too much quality out there to settle for bland watery urine.
Pass the original please!
Going into a craft beer bar means having to wade through long menus that are often not very descriptive, having to choose from dozens, if not hundreds, of beers with nothing but the varied and strange names that are visible. This is the same phenomenon that has been studied in grocery stores. People feel increased stress when asked to choose from more options, especially under pressure (pretty common in a busy bar with a line behind you).
And the reason that beers like Budweiser continue to be successful is because while craft beers are popular among young drinkers with disposable income, eventually people age up and their budgets become tighter. College investment for kids or craft beer? Home repair or craft beer? Car payment or craft beer? Something eventually gives, and it's usually superfluous expenses like over-priced beverages.
I have no skin in this game, though, because I drink cider.
Lagunitas sold to Heineken for an insane amount of money, Ballast Point sold to Constellation. Golden Road is part of the InBev conglomerate. So is Goose Island. Saint Archer is part of MillerCoors, I could go on and on. Good for the owners, I guess, but sad for those of us that want real competition.
Almost as bad, though. 
Because it's fscking close to water! 
