I have been absent for quite some time now. Don’t worry, my passion for fine beer and delicious food has not subsided – if anything it has increased. I was out shopping for supplies in preparation for tonight’s hockey game and while picking up a 12 case of Central City’s summer pack I caught sight of a heartbreaking slew of product’s that left my soul devastated. Light Lime Lager is everywhere! No longer is this craze limited to the macro brewing giants, small craft brewers have jumped in head first without hesitation and fear of drowning in the deep end of the macro brewers pool of mass market “beer”. Dead Frog, Big Rock and The Northam Group are all promoting their own fizzy lime swill marketed at lager and I am afraid this is the beginning of the end.
It is true, Bud Light Lime is a massive hit, and why not, people love 7up – market 7up as beer and, what do you know, its a hit. It doesn’t disappoint me to see new products on liquor store shelves that macro brewers market as beer, when really they resemble juice more than beer, I don’t expect much from giant corporations. However, I hold craft brewer’s to a much higher standard and I am disappointed in their current behaviour.
To all you craft brewers offering a lime “beer”, please stop, its not a good thing that you are doing. If your marketing team is pushing you to offer this product, please inform them that following trends, not fads, is the best practice.
On a more positive note, I am making Salt Spring Island mussels, fries, and wings tonight – accompanied by an oude guezze . All will be enjoyed in the company of good friends while cheering the Canucks on to victory.
Erik
Bud Light with Lime is terrible and as such should NOT be copied! Man the thought of more of that terrible mess around gives me the shivers. But on a more pleasent note, the food was amazing and the canucks won!
Canucks win woooooooo! In other news, there is no lime beer in England.
Chris,
The Bud light lime that is in bottles is made in England and shipped over here! You need to investigate!
Gerry
Geuze. Mmmmmm. I have to think that if more people took the time to investigate this style it would be a hit, especially amongst wine drinkers. Girardin Black Label has to be my favorite.
I can’t believe BBL is brewed in England and shipped across the Atlantic, not very green. Apparently you can get BBL here, but I haven’t seen it, or haven’t been paying attention. I haven’t noticed any other lime beers, but I will have to look into this.
Um, didn’t the Brits invent lime (or lemon) and beer, aka Shandy? May not be exactly the same (I have not tried either), but sounds pretty close!
A shandy is beer mixed with lemonade or gingerale and it tastes pleasant, like beer mixed with lemonade or gingerale. BLL tastes like rotten Sprite and is unpleasant. That is the key difference. They both are for wussies.
Man i need to try this shandy you speak of sounds interesting but yet strangely good.