Hmmmm....
its come to my attention (which means that you probably all already know this) that a successful pub owning brewery has taken the rather odd decision to disbar British breweries Keykeg beers from some of its venues.
In those where guests are allowed (you probably guessed the identity of the company by now) cask ales from British breweries are permitted, but they've gone and got all hot under the collar about the, one assumes "threat" of other producer's Keykeg output.
For a brewery that prides itself in diverse and interesting beers across a multitude of styles presented in cask, bottle and extensively in Keykeg format, you'd think they would be sufficiently confident of the quality of their product in the face of albeit stiff competition, from breweries like Magic Rock and Kernel. Unless they think that other British micros produce better beer, or maybe, far worse beer (!?) it seems bizarre not to let them be on sale on Keykeg alongside their own such offerings and those from the continent and across the pond.
I remember when short lived Drummonds brewery appeared on the scene in Sheffield and when they appeared in a Punch or similar pub up Bradway the Drummonds far outsold the dross available normally, and was far cheaper. The Pubco got the tittylip on and demanded the beer be removed instead of acknowledging customers preferences, and presumably without justifying why the tenant should have to sell what they decreed. Most shoddy for all concerned.
So, fast forward to today, is this a sign of desperation, lack of confidence in your products, arrogance or anti competitive spirit by the brewery in question?
I don't know, but I think it makes "them" look very silly indeed.
Wee Beefy
I'm thinking this is a brewery who aren't exactly known for the guest ales in their pubs either! If it is then at least their policies regarding guest beers, however misguided are something approaching consistent.
ReplyDeleteHas to be said though, if that's their attitude then that leaves a gap in the market for other pubs to full. One thing that is noticable round here is how many of the real ale pubs also have a good range of keg beers and have the potential to put on great keg beer from people like Brodies, Kernel and so forth.
Yeahj, its an odd one especially since as you say other pubs in, ahem, their area are offering a good range.
DeleteIn some ways it makes little difference to me as I'm a cask man at heart, but knowing the growing interest in Keykeg, no doubt spiking in what I'd consider their target market, it seems churlish to restrict choice.