Dirty Rumours Department

[Greig McGill]

I've heard a scary rumour. It's so unlikely I find it almost impossible to believe, but the source was fairly reputable, so any info would be good.

Are Emerson's being sold? Possibly to a large international brewery?

Please say it ain't so!

[JoKing]

I have to admit - I heard it too... I thought Coca Cola was interested?

[Soren]

omg I hope not! someone dis-confirm this please!

[denimglen]

Fucking better not be.

Otherwise, 'Oatmeal stout', 'Weissbeir', and 'London Porter' will be TM'd

[Stu McKinlay]

Oatmeal Stout is already gone...


Richard told me a couple of years ago that this rumour goes around March every year. Maybe he starts it to help drive up the potential share price ;-)

[denimglen]

Who does OS belong to?

Ah, upcoming April 1st prank? Haha.

[Stu McKinlay]

They cut it from the range a few months ago. I guess it wasn't a great seller. It could be really good on its day but it was never quite as good (or consistent) as the London Porter so I've not drunk a lot in recent times. I think the LP has actually morphed into a softer beer overtime... i remember it being pretty robust but the last few times I've tried it it has been more of a brown porter.

[denimglen]

Fair enough.

Hardly any roast in the LP last time I had it too, was much more brown than robust IMO.

[Stu McKinlay]

Didn't realise you were meaning trademarked - thought you meant axed!

[Pint_of_Bitter]

I think there are some pros and cons if this eventuates:

Upsides:
Increases distribution (availability), Bookbinder in every second pub possibly
Increases attractiveness of every pub offering Emerson’s beers
Makes space available for next boutique/craft brewery to fill the gap (Green man, Epic Renaissance etc etc)


Downsides:
They will F**k with the recipe (add sugar to lower cost, de-engineer hops)
They will F**k with the packaging (eg Macs)
They will knock Mr Emerson out of brewing with a post sale restraint of trade.


If I go to a pub that is outside my top 3-4 to visit (ie, your average mainstream pub), there is a good chance that I’ll struggle to fine a beer I want to drink (many Lion pubs don’t even stock Hop Rocker?!). So I see this as a positive as I might actually come across more beer that I want to buy…and I like going to the pub.

[Stu McKinlay]

I must say that the Mac's beers have, since Lion took over, generally been better than what they were before (even the most misty eyed beer lover would have to admit that, surely).

However, if anyone took over Emerson's you could be sure that things would head downhill in the flavour department.

But I doubt anyone will... too many shareholders to keep happy with $$$ and Richard doesn't seem like the kind of person who'd like to twiddle his thumbs waiting out a restraint of trade. He loves beer too much to leave the industry.

[Greig McGill]

I think your Mac's must be better than the stuff I get then Stu! I preferred the pre-Lion beers. Hoprocker is nice. Sassy Red has gone downhill bigtime. I must admit I don't drink the rest of the range often. Gold was pretty dull last time I had it, but then it always was. I didn't like the Black before and I still don't. It's due for a retry at some point soon though.

[Stu McKinlay]

Correct me if I am wrong but Hop Rocker, Sassy Red, Wicked Blonde, Sultry Dark, Brewjolais, Great White, Verboden Vice, Hop Harvest Pilsner, Copperhop and Nelson Reserve were all post-takeover.

In the truly independent days we had Gold, Black, Real Ale (ha ha!), Extra.

Not sure where Malt Mac fit in but I'm guessing it was a Lion one.


Sassy Red has always been my pick of those regulars but it is rather temperemental - when it is malty and bitter it is good. Great White, fresh, is probably the most consistently drinkable. I'd never have a Hop Rocker unless I was a bit desperate.


Sometimes I think people hate Mac's because Lion own them rather than for the quality of the beer.