Apparently what the beer drinking industry has really been holding out for are… trashy “celebs.” First comes the news that Jessica Simpson is the new face – and part owner – of Stampede Beer. Now, Brew Ha-Ha has learned that Drinks Americas Holdings Ltd. is collaborating with rock star Kid Rock to develop and market a domestic beer.

J. Patrick Kenny, CEO for Drinks Americas, said about the partnership:

Kid Rock is a reflection of great American rock and roll music and the American spirit, and we think we can create a beer in that same image. Having Kid Rock as a Drinks Americas partner is an exciting and big addition to our portfolio of icon brands. There is no question in our mind that people will try a beer that Kid Rock will stand by and when they like it, a great and incredibly valuable trademark will be created with his support.

And um, that’s about it. Really. There’s no product yet. No brewery has been selected. Just a big marketing announcement. Are you as excited as I am? (please read with proper amount of sarcasm)

For those of you who haven’t been subjected to Kid Rock and his antics, here’s the quick skinny: Kid’s real name is Robert James Ritchie and he’s a few years shy of 40. He became popular about 10 years ago when he released the oh-so-cleverly titled Devil Without a Cause; it was his most successful album. Kid is mostly known for his off stage behavior including his strange relationship with former Playmate Pamela Anderson. He’s been arrested and cited for various criminal behaviors, usually assault related, including a fight at the MTV awards over Pamela Anderson with her ex, Tommy Lee.

In short, clearly a beer culture icon, no?

Post from: EveryJoe

Trashy “Celebs” Apparently Beer Drinking Draw

The beer has been brewed by the Orkney Brewer for two decades and is named after Thorfinn ‘Skullsplitter’ Einarsson, the seventh Viking Earl of Orkney (947-977).

There is no word yet on an appeal.

Post from: EveryJoe

Skull Splitter Too Aggressive?

Anheuser-Busch desperately wants to be American, despite the fact that it’s now Belgian owned (gosh, that’s weird to say).

I’m sure that you know what I’m talking about – the overtly American-themed commercials, the red, white and blue branding and the use of the word “American” in everything. Now, A-B has introduced Budweiser American Ale, which went on draught this week. It will debut in retail stores on September 29.

According to A-B, the American Ale is a craft brew (don’t get me started on the overuse of that term) and is all-malt, top-fermented ale. It’s dry hopped with Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest.

A-B plans to promote the new brew like crazy in television, print, outdoors and on the internet.

Post from: EveryJoe

Anheuser-Busch Tries Hard To Be American

Colin (Chimay)
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Frank (Victory)
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Mr. Plane (Kronenberg)
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Congrats to all of our winners! We’ll be in touch!

Post from: EveryJoe

Brew Ha-Ha Announces Contest Winners

When is a name just a name? A Mexican brewery has recently introduced a new beer named after the “patron saint” of drug traffickers in that country. The brewery claims that it’s simply piggy-backing on a trend but critics have blasted the move as glamorizing and promoting gang lifestyles.

The beer, Malverde Beer, is named after Jesus Malverde. Malverde is a bit of legend, as details of his life have not been confirmed. What is generally agreed upon is that he was a bandito who stole from the rich and gave the money to the poor in Mexico. He has since been revered by drug dealers and gangs – as well as the general populace – all over Mexico. His name, literally translated, is “evil green” which is evocative of marijuana.

Over the years, Malverde’s legend has grown. Shrines have been erected in his honor, including a public shrine in Mexico City. One source claims that in Bakersfield, California, 80% of Mexican nationals involved in the drug trade possess at least one likeness of Jesus Malverde on a prayer card, candle or statue.

The brewery, Minerva Brewery, in Guadalajara, defends the beer as part of the Mexican culture. The brewery’s manager, Jesus Briseno, says, “We’re just trying to honor a Mexican legend, that’s all.” Briseno was inspired to make the beer after visiting a shrine to Malverde; they intend to donate 1% of the profits to a Malverde chapel. The beer features the slogan:

A hero, a legend, a beer.

Critics say it is not honor or legend. They claim it is part of the so-called “narcoculture” which celebrates drug-related murders and the drug smuggling industry. Songs about drug smugglers, known as narcocorridos, are a staple of Mexican banda music, and pocket-size comic books feature smugglers and hit men.

As for the actual beer, it is described as “a malty, European-style pilsner” made with barley is imported from Wisconsin. It retails for 77 pesos, about twice the price of a normal six pack of beer in Mexico.

Many local businesses have opposed the marketing of the beer. Wal-Mart of Mexico has refused to sell the beer in its stores due to the tie in between Malverde and drug smugglers.

Nonetheless, Minerva has marketed the beer quite successfully. The commercial description of the beer in Spanish plays up the pilsner style and the Malverde connection:

Cerveza Malverde es cuidadosamente elaborada al estilo Pilsner Continental con los mejores ingredientes como lúpulo Hallertau agua de pozo profundo, maltas exportadas en tributo a Jesús Malverde…un héroe,una leyenda, una cerveza.

Minerva is no stranger to conflict. In 2006, brewery produced 24,000 bottles of Duff Beer. If the name sounds familiar, it’s the fictitious beer that Homer Simpson drinks on Fox’ popular show, The Simpsons. Fox was not interested in working with the brewery and the idea fizzled.

It will be interesting to see how this new venture plays out. Public reaction to the beer in Mexico has been mixed; nonetheless, Minerva plans to roll out the beer in the United States.

I can’t imagine how it will sell in the US. You can never underestimate the lure of marketing (Jessica Simpson, anyone?) though the limited reviews of the beer itself have not been kind.

So, at the end of the day, the question is whether a name matters? Is a criminal association for purposes of marketing a bad thing? For example, would a Bonnie and Clyde beer in the US be met with apathy or enthusiasm? It really should just be about the beer – but controversy is what sells. What do you think?

Technorati Tags:
beer, Minerva Brewery, Jesus Malverde, Malverde beer, drug smuggling

Post from: EveryJoe

When Is a Name Just a Name? “Drug Smuggler Saint” Beer Causing a Stir

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that today is the very last day to enter our contest – and it couldn’t be easier to enter. All you have to do is tell us your favorite brew or brewery! C’mon, what are you waiting for?

Post from: EveryJoe

Contest Deadline is Today

Maine was fairly slow to jump on board the microbrew train being one of the few times, perhaps, that the state’s motto, Dirigo (”I lead”) isn’t quite appropriate. The first microbrewery of note didn’t begin producing until 1986 – D.L. Geary Brewing Company of Portland. The company’s first main stream product was Geary’s Pale Ale.

Twenty years later, Portland’s Maine Brewers Guild (nonprofit) is thriving. The company promotes breweries, brewpubs and the beer industry in Maine. They even have their own web site, Drink Maine Beer.

If you’re not up for traveling the state on a brewery tour (and why not?), you can sample some of Maine’s best beers at the Maine Brewer’s Festival. The Festival is held in Portland during the first weekend of November – I may have to make a trip back up!

Let us know your favorite local microbreweries! Enter this month’s contest! Click here to find out how to win!

(c) Brew Ha-Ha, 2008

Technorati Tags:
beer, brewery, Maine, D.L. Geary Brewing Company, Maine Brewing Guild

Post from: EveryJoe

Brewing in Maine

Thankfully, folks in the state of Maine have the good sense to sell beer and wine in grocery stores (much like my home state of North Carolina) which means that we were able to pick up all of our shopping for the week at Food City (the local grocery) – including some brews. “On tap” at our lakeside cabin this week are some Maine-brewed beers. We’re giving Shipyard Brewing Company a try (the bottles say “hand brewed and bottled” in Portland) and Gritty’s (also brewed and bottled in Portland).

We’ll let you know what we think of these Maine breweries…

In the meantime, let us know what you think of your favorite breweries – and win some cool beer merchandise. Enter this month’s contest. Click here to find out how to win!

(c) Brew Ha-Ha, 2008

Technorati Tags:
beer, brewery

Post from: EveryJoe

Brew Ha-Ha is on Vacation!

The most recent face of beer is, in fact, Jessica Simpson. The blonde singer/actress is not the spokeswoman for Stampede Light Plus, brewed by Stampede Brewing Co of Dallas, Texas (I’ll warn you before you click – the theme song is really annoying).

According to the Dallas Morning News, Simpson will appear in ads for the beer. Reportedly, she has also secured 15% of the brewery – no further details are available yet. Simpson has said that she is “always looking for ways to diversify my portfolio with good ideas and good people.” That portfolio expanded to include a new perfume, Simpson’s “Fancy”, and beer as of this month.

I’m guessing that Stampede is trying to capitalize on Simpson’s new “country girl” image with the campaign – we’ll see how that works out for them. You can read what Beer Advocate had to say about it here.

Technorati Tags:
beer, Jessica Simpson, Stampede Brewing

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The Face of Beer is… Jessica Simpson?

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The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous Is Back