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Episode 8: Masters of Beer

2009 February 19
by Mike VanDelinder

episode 8 artwork 300x300 Episode 8: Masters of Beer

In episode 8 of The Beer Genome Project, Shawn and Mike bring their favorite beers to the table, and Jason has his chance to review the first of many dark beers. This week’s reviews are of Ceylon’s Lion Stout, an import from Sri Lanka, as well as New Belgium Brewing’s 1554 Enlightened Black Ale, from Fort Collins, Colorado. After the reviews, we take part in discussion over the recent proposal for a beer-tax increase in Oregon, and how it might affect microbreweries and consumers.

Ceylon – Lion Stout Style: Strong Tropical Stout ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 8.0%

New Belgium Brewing – 1554 Enlightened Black Ale Style: Belgian Dark Ale ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.6%

The Beer Genome Project #8 Show Notes

    0:00-1:08 – Introduction 1:08-14:55 – Ceylon’s Lion Stout 14:55-27:56 – New Belgium Brewing’s 1554 27:56-39:45 – Oregon Beer Tax Increase 39:45-42:37 – Conclusion

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  • Ohmar Coughlin

    Hey guys,

    After listening to your podcast, I have a few thoughts regarding the assertion that this tax unfairly targets the micro-brewers.

    In my discussion, I will use three beers as examples: Mike’s Magnificent Malt, Shawn’s Specialty Stout, and Larry’s Lame Lager. Mike’s Magnificent Malt is bottled and sold individually at a rate of $8/bottle or $240/30-pack. Shawn’s Specialty Stout sells for $10/6-pack or roughly $50/30-pack. Larry’s Lame Lager sells in bulk at a rate of $10/30-pack. Now, if Mike, Shawn, and Larry have their taxes increased based upon the volume that they produce (say an increase of $1.50/6-pack or $7.50/30-pack), Then we will see the prices shift as follows below:

    Mike’s Magnificent Malt: $240/30-pack -> $247.50/30-pack => 3.1% price increase

    Shawn’s Specialty Stout: $50/30-pack -> $57.50/30-pack => 15% price increase

    Larry’s Lame Lager: $10/30-pack -> $17.50/20-pack => 75% price increase

    Now, after running the numbers, you will see that the tax will more adversely affect the price of the “bulk beers”. This will ultimately have the effect demanded by Jason in your podcast – “charging the substances that are being abused”.

    While I do not necessarily agree with the tax (nor do I believe that it has any chance of passing), I would just like to make sure that we do not misrepresent this tax as one that specifically and unfairly targets the smaller operations within the state.

    Ohmar

  • Samuel Koza

    Guys, Great commentary in Episode 8. Shawn Im impressed by how articulate you are even on the topic of beer! Certainly after this immersion through audio, I am tempted to try Ceylon – Lion stout, as I also enjoy dark beers. Your mention of Red Stripe is interesting; I thought it tasted like fuel until I went to Jamaica and no matter what I ordered at the swim up bar, they gave me Red Stripe haha. Now, because of the cultural association I have with it, I like it.

    The discussion of taxes is interesting… I would say the propensity to increase the burden on consumption of these products, specifically micro or import brews is based largely on the novelty of the origin of them because people will pay for it. Also because they are smaller in size and proportionally priced higher, it makes sense that the tax would align with the echelon status of the product. After all Alcohol is a drug right? The government will earn revenue from, an otherwise underground stream of income, whether you decide to invest in the fermented theories of unique Ceylon or massively marketed American staple beverages. Is there data on the relevance of the tax vs. sales across the United States in proportion to earnings by volume? Does the tax level this out based on a more limited supply because its a partially controlled substance? Just thoughts

    Not fair…??? I think I might be able to use my economics education here.

  • Samuel Koza

    Guys,
    Great commentary in Episode 8. Shawn Im impressed by how articulate you are even on the topic of beer! Certainly after this immersion through audio, I am tempted to try Ceylon – Lion stout, as I also enjoy dark beers. Your mention of Red Stripe is interesting; I thought it tasted like fuel until I went to Jamaica and no matter what I ordered at the swim up bar, they gave me Red Stripe haha. Now, because of the cultural association I have with it, I like it.

    The discussion of taxes is interesting… I would say the propensity to increase the burden on consumption of these products, specifically micro or import brews is based largely on the novelty of the origin of them because people will pay for it. Also because they are smaller in size and proportionally priced higher, it makes sense that the tax would align with the echelon status of the product. After all Alcohol is a drug right? The government will earn revenue from, an otherwise underground stream of income, whether you decide to invest in the fermented theories of unique Ceylon or massively marketed American staple beverages.
    Is there data on the relevance of the tax vs. sales across the United States in proportion to earnings by volume? Does the tax level this out based on a more limited supply because its a partially controlled substance? Just thoughts

    Not fair…??? I think I might be able to use my economics education here.

  • http://twitter.com/JakeDOlson Jake Olson

    Sorry to Mike and Jason, but big loss of respect when I hear you guys aren’t black coffee drinkers. I would just assume that an appreciation for coffee goes hand in hand with an appreciation for fine beers… but what do I know?

    I”m loving going through the archives with you guys here. I’m a Minnesotan living in Turkey. I’ve recently an aspiring homebrewer (first batch of ale is out on the balcony) and have enjoyed putting my new vocabulary to mental use by listening to your podcasts.