Marvin said:

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Kenneth_2003 said:

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DeschutesAg said:

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Small breweries and brewpubs having been shutting down all across America. A combination of over-expansion + weakening demand + higher beer prices + higher input costs + consumers having less disposable income.

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Fire Ant in Tomball shut down a couple weeks ago. Couple that ran it wanted to spend more time with the grand kids. Between the lines says it was profitable enough for them, but not enough for one of their kids, or even a manager, to take over. Might have been more a labor of love/passion thing than generational business.

But with those trends in mind if you're going to survive or grow it's best to just not pick sides.

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Hated to see Fire Ant close down. Hopefully, someone gives it a go. I've completed many a work task there!

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I had not heard this. Sad news. Fire Ant was an enjoyable stop. Antoberfest was quite tasty.

DannyDuberstein said:

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Waning fad + people trying to get healthier with sleep tracking showing them how bad alcohol is for it + gummies

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1 drink and my sleep score is below 70. It's weird...

I thought a glass of wine was relaxing?

Not going to stop drinking, but it's 1:1 a negative on my sleep.

CrackerJackAg said:

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Facts:

Beer good.

Plenty of People Drink Beer.

People Buy Good Beer

Good Companies Make Good Beer

This Company Failed.

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exactly. Their beer was not much better than mass produced beer the few times I tried it. Didn't make an impression

AozorAg said:

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TX_COWDOC said:

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Phooey! How's that? Good call out. My father and sister are the English majors in the family!

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In that sentence, the word you were looking for was "impose."

You can't interject something on somebody.

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Depends.


How big'a boy are ya!?!?!

Saloon Door is the best microbrewry in Greater Houston.

Southern Star was pretty meh.

Silent For Too Long said:

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Saloon Door is the best microbrewry in Greater Houston.

Southern Star was pretty meh.

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I know it's big, but I'm still fond of St. Arnold's.

Besides the aforementioned B-52, I also enjoy Lake Houston Brewery.

DFW - Manhattan and Peticolas. Also quite fond of Rahr.

Fireant was always a good time, and the food was good (bad for you but still good). Wish I'd have gone one last time.

Southern Star beer was nothing special.

CrackerJackAg said:

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Facts:

Beer good.

Plenty of People Drink Beer.

People Buy Good Beer

Good Companies Make Good Beer

This Company Failed.

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If you are a connoisseur of good beer and you have tried this brewer's selection, you would understand why they are going out of business.

The standards of good beer, industry wide, have gone up. This company's products have not improved.

I am very thankful for the good 20 years. Good beer in 2006 was a much harder thing to find, and their beer was always pretty good.

But, pretty good isn't good enough in 2026.

That's a shame.

Bummer but t happens. The kids prefer more psychotropic higher than simple alcohol. It's easier and the effects of overindulgence are less immediate and obvious. Hangover vs hogher chance of developing schizophrenia. I can see what the younger generations simply have more choices and are more health aware, even as they are also more overweight.

Beer will contract until supply and demand match of course and sadly those of us who enjoy beer will have fewer choices. I did my part this weekend to support Karbach, St Arnold, and Real.

Give me some of this instead of beer. Unless I'm doing a BBQ or grilling burgers.



But, yea. Bourbon is losing market share as well. But, that's good for me!!

Fdsa said:

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I wonder if / when the downturn will affect the winery industry. Current 18-26 yo's drink way less than my generation did.

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This is already happening.

Rising number of closures/consolidations in Napa. Vineyards being dug up and returned to other types of agriculture. Backlog of product; lots of wineries selling their wines through discounters like Wine Spies in an effort to reduce inventory.

One of the major growers/producers in Napa just wrapped a multi-part series on Substack about the problems facing the wine industry. He predicted lots more change in the years ahead as Napa contracts.

Napa is triple screwed, because in addition to falling demand, they have insane regulations to follow that increase production prices significantly. And the only people shelling out $300 for a bottle of fancy wine to collect are oldsters.

Science Denier said:

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But, yea. Bourbon is losing market share as well. But, that's good for me!!

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The brewery contraction is tough because it makes craft beer more difficult to get.

But the downturn in spirits and wine will be good for consumers because it should lower prices (or at least keep them steady) and increase availability.

I gave up try to build a bourbon collection because so many releases were impossible to find. I'm not "developing a relationship" with Rajhesh at the local liquor store to hopefully buy a bottle of bourbon at double the retail price.

about 8-9 years ago, I used to occasionally put Southern Star's Bombshell Blonde kegs in my kegerator. ...but I don't think I've had a single solitary pint of Bombshell Blonde since around that time and don't even recall seeing any kegs of theirs at Spec's or Total Wine in quite a while.

EclipseAg said:

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Science Denier said:

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But, yea. Bourbon is losing market share as well. But, that's good for me!!

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The brewery contraction is tough because it makes craft beer more difficult to get.

But the downturn in spirits and wine will be good for consumers because it should lower prices (or at least keep them steady) and increase availability.

I gave up try to build a bourbon collection because so many releases were impossible to find. I'm not "developing a relationship" with Rajhesh at the local liquor store to hopefully buy a bottle of bourbon at double the retail price.

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lol. I agree. I don't flip bottles, just consume them so not worth my time or money trying to get extremely cheap prices for the few bottles.

I do buy the rarer bottles on secondary. I have no issues paying the outrageous prices for those select few bottles and not have to go buy a bunch of stuff I don't want.

But secondary has come down. Not only that, my Eagle Rare I can get for about $55 on the shelf. It's now my go-to along with Michter's US1.

I like Real Ale Brewing. That's about all I buy now though. Don't remember anything special about Southern.

YouBet said:

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DeschutesAg said:

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Small breweries and brewpubs having been shutting down all across America. A combination of over-expansion + weakening demand + higher beer prices + higher input costs + consumers having less disposable income.

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+ younger generations not drinking at nearly the rate as Gen X.

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All stems from the economics. It's expensive as hell to consume alcohol to half the country.

If we enter into a recession, alcohol will come roaring back and might even outperform.

Fireman 4 used to be my go-to.

Then I started noticing that my ankles would swell up significantly on a beer drinking day (my term for a 5+ bottle day, usually a "company over" or BBQing (or both) day). I started to fear it was a reaction to alcohol/beer in general. But switching to another beer (Bud Light, prior to the whole debacle, Yuengling Flight since) has eliminated that issue. I guess F4 must have a lot of salt or something else in it that has that effect on me.

Heineken-Ashi said:

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YouBet said:

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DeschutesAg said:

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Small breweries and brewpubs having been shutting down all across America. A combination of over-expansion + weakening demand + higher beer prices + higher input costs + consumers having less disposable income.

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+ younger generations not drinking at nearly the rate as Gen X.

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All stems from the economics. It's expensive as hell to consume alcohol to half the country.

If we enter into a recession, alcohol will come roaring back and might even outperform.

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Yeah, but I think it's just as much cultural for the younger generations. They just don't want to drink alcohol like we did. That's the real problem because they are the bench.

If you look at ABs 10k from around time of their trans fiasco you will see their N/A line was/is growing faster than most other revenue streams even before that controversy.

They are definitely stouter in the alcohol department. Does it cause trouble if you just have one or two?

I like them. But I don't do five at a time. Usually one. I'm at an age where I don't want to waste my caloric intake on things I don't truly enjoy so for beer in the evening, I like theirs or a Guinness sometimes. I drink them cold and I pour them in a glass because it's bougie and I feel like I'm getting more for my money. lol.

Quote:

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Yeah, but I think it's just as much cultural for the younger generations. They just don't want to drink alcohol like we did. That's the real problem because they are the bench.

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A sizable group of young 20-somethings crowded into a neighborhood bar for someone's 21st recently, and I was annoyed thinking they would get out of hand. I was blown away by how tame and polite they were, and most of them weren't even drinking.

TX AG 88 said:

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Fireman 4 used to be my go-to.

Then I started noticing that my ankles would swell up significantly on a beer drinking day (my term for a 5+ bottle day, usually a "company over" or BBQing (or both) day). I started to fear it was a reaction to alcohol/beer in general. But switching to another beer (Bud Light, prior to the whole debacle, Yuengling Flight since) has eliminated that issue. I guess F4 must have a lot of salt or something else in it that has that effect on me.

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My feet swelled up bad a couple weeks ago. Think it might have had something to do with drinking Gatorade several days in a row to help with muscle cramps while doing yard work.

Heineken-Ashi said:

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YouBet said:

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DeschutesAg said:

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Small breweries and brewpubs having been shutting down all across America. A combination of over-expansion + weakening demand + higher beer prices + higher input costs + consumers having less disposable income.

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+ younger generations not drinking at nearly the rate as Gen X.

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All stems from the economics. It's expensive as hell to consume alcohol to half the country.

If we enter into a recession, alcohol will come roaring back and might even outperform.

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A 1.5L of 80 proof Kentucky Deluxe is around $15, less than two McDonalds big mac meals.

This does not compute.

BrazosDog02 said:

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They are definitely stouter in the alcohol department. Does it cause trouble if you just have one or two?

I like them. But I don't do five at a time. Usually one. I'm at an age where I don't want to waste my caloric intake on things I don't truly enjoy so for beer in the evening, I like theirs or a Guinness sometimes. I drink them cold and I pour them in a glass because it's bougie and I feel like I'm getting more for my money. lol.

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It's not the alc % at all. I'm still able to enjoy other 5%+ beers without the swelling. (Thirsty Goat, for instance.) There's just something in the ingredients of F4 that causes it. Other high salt content things will occasionally do the same, but F4 did it every time. I wish it wouldn't, because I really liked it, but it just doesn't work for me.

I really don't drink anything BUT beer*, so 5+ is not unusual for a long get-together with friends, or game day, etc. Or even a quiet afternoon on the back porch after mowing the lawn. I eat no sweets at all, and almost never snack. My line when questioned on why I don't want a piece of this or that great cake or pie or a cookie is that "I save my calories for beer."

* Margaritas are the only real exception here. (no salt, though! )

Captain Pablo said:

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It's a tough business

Overhead, equipment, ingredients are a killer

And frankly, the product at some most of these places just kinda sucks

But I think the big national brewers are in for rough times. That mass produced, flavorless light lager is just terrible and holds about zero appeal to anyone under about 40

But yeah, alcohol sales are way down. It's not just beer. The whiskey distillers in Kentucky and Tennessee are taking it on the chin

Vodka seems to be doing ok I guess. Judging by the shelf space it occupies at specs. I guess Gen Z still likes their Chocolatinis and Lemon Drops

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Fixed it.

Sorry if it hurts feelings, but by in large most of the micro brews are just not good. Everything is a freaking ****ty IPA that tastes like pine sol mixed with brazos river bog water, but somehow the neckbeards convince themselves it is good and that they are enlightened or some other crap.

Any microbrew that makes a good product is usually bought out by the big dogs, then everybody suddenly hates them because they sold out and cashed the check.

Another thing is the high proof beers. Those may be great for the back yard with your buddies, but few folks want to go into a bar and drink 1 beer. Sure, they have more flavor and body and fragrance and mouthfeel and grit and sediment and plant matter or whatever else floating around, but for the most part drinking beer is a fairly social activity and most people want to be able to have more than one. So while the light beers may be pedestrian - they have dominated the market here for a century for a reason.

When I'm home I prefer THC drinks.

Does Devil's Backbone do it too? Like, all of their beer? Well, that sucks either way, but there are a lot of good beers out there. Hopefully the others will treat you right. I could give up beer....but not so much on the tequila. I did have to dial it way back though....only one liquor per week for me.

I tried the Devil's Backbone, but didn't take to it. I'll give it another shot. no pun intended!

YouBet said:

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DeschutesAg said:

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Small breweries and brewpubs having been shutting down all across America. A combination of over-expansion + weakening demand + higher beer prices + higher input costs + consumers having less disposable income.

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+ younger generations not drinking at nearly the rate as Gen X.

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I remember reading an interview in the last couple of years with one of Don Ganter's daughters (Dixie Chicken owners) and she was talking about this.

DannyDuberstein said:

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Waning fad + people trying to get healthier with sleep tracking showing them how bad alcohol is for it + gummies

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I've never done sleep tracking or anything like that, but as I've gotten older (50s) the main reason I don't drink often anymore is because my sleep is terrible after drinking. And it was always that way.

Weed

MouthBQ98 said:

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Bummer but t happens. The kids prefer more psychotropic higher than simple alcohol. It's easier and the effects of overindulgence are less immediate and obvious. Hangover vs hogher chance of developing schizophrenia. I can see what the younger generations simply have more choices and are more health aware, even as they are also more overweight.

Beer will contract until supply and demand match of course and sadly those of us who enjoy beer will have fewer choices. I did my part this weekend to support Karbach, St Arnold, and Real.

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Well, two out of three ain't bad I guess.

This depicts the declining sales at the #1 night club in San Angelo, Texas. They are still the top spot even with the declined sales because all competitors are declining too.

And I started a bar in this environment (Arc Light)! How dumb am I?

I carry all flavors of Shiner Beer at my place. By far, the best beer ever brewed is a Shiner IPA called Shiner TexHex Bruja IPA. It has the typical IPA bite at the beginning but a citrusy aftertaste that does away with the IPA bitterness. After a pint of a Bruja, you feel like you had a refreshing Dr Pepper. Shiner states that its brewed with cactus water.

Nationwide, Buffalo Wild Wings was contracted to put the Bruja on tap. The local BWW manager never bought the two 1/2 barrel kegs from the distributer so they just sat in the warehouse until I took a chance and bought both of them. I was selling a keg a week of the Bruja but the beer must be seasonal so it's all gone. The current seasonal Shiner IPA is called "Off Road." Its good but not a Bruja.

The other good Shiner brew is called Texas Special. It's a lager (light, not bock) and cheap. I go through a keg a week at $2 a pint (it's a loss leader).

Shiners don't agree with me for whatever reason so I don't drink many, but I buy the Black Lager whenever I see it to use for cooking.