Beer Bust

An anomaly: last week I arrived at Hobby airport early and dropped in to their food court to slake my thirst. They had several brands of beer in an ice tray, the usual Bud, Miller, etc. and a few which they consider “imported” like Samuel Adams from Boston. I picked out a “Fat Tire” an “import” from Colorado. The cashier rang up $4.75 and I thought, oh well, it’s the airport upcharge. After downing that I was still thirsty so I thought I might lower my standards in the name of economy and get a Bud. I checked their price chart on the wall to see how much I would save and was amazed to see “Imported Beer: $4.75; Domestic Beer: $5.25!”

Bizarro lives!

Now sad news for beer connoisseurs. As I have pointed out earlier, most Japanese beer brands are now made in Canada for U.S. consumption as is Fosters, an Australian brand. Scotland’s most famous brew, Guinness, is now a “product of Canada” as shown in little tiny print after the surgeon generals warning. I think that a bottle of beer with a large label showing “St. James Gate, Dublin” should be produced there. Why have all these brewers sold out their integrity? To save the cost of transporting their beer across the ocean. But – are U.S. companies incapable of following recipes to make the same beer as the breweries in Canada? Duh. Then they could not proudly announce in big letters on their containers “Imported”, pulling the wool over the eyes of the unsuspecting public. It’s not that my taste buds are so sensitive that I could tell the difference between a Scotch Guinness and a Canadian Guinness, but I am incensed at the deception that is taking place and will never buy a Canadian fake of an imported beer.

Sunday Poser

The average American, when asked "What are the two biggest problems facing society today?", will answer:
"I don't know and I don't care."
The correct answer is:
"Ignorance and apathy"

As I tip-toe thru the TV channels this glorious Sunday morning I am astonished at the number of charismatic charlatans, each promoting their brand of the "Truth" before hoards of believers. I try to imagine what great things might be accomplished if we could turn all that energy and enthusiasm into something worthwhile. Ain't none of them goin' to heaven no matter how much they shout. Fuggitaboutit!

Next weeks' sermon: What steps has Lee Raymond (ex-CEO of EXXON) taken to insure that his heirs and assigns (or, indeed, he himself) will be welcome in heaven? Can Saint Peter be bribed?

Marketing

I understand inflation; at least enough to know that it happens. So, from time to time, manufacturers have to increase prices to maintain a profit. This is commonly done in one of several ways: raise the price, reduce the quality or quantity of the product. The thing that pisses me off is when they hit you with the double-whammy and do two or more things at the same time AND at the same time try to make you think there's some benefit for you! I have been buying “Dixie Cups” with lids for hot drinks, 16 cups and lids for $2.00. They were packaged in a simple cylindrical plastic wrap stacked one on the other. How simple it would be to either reduce the number of cups OR to raise the price to increase profits. But no – some genius in marketing came up with “New Packaging!” proudly displayed on the now 14 cups and lids in a flimsy cardboard container with two stacks of 7 cups and lids side by side. Oh, do we think this marvelous new packaging comes without cost? Nooooo! Two dollars and twenty cents, please. Packaging is another word for the trash you dispose of to get to the product. So, thank you Georgia- Pacific, for changing the design of my trash, reducing the number of usable items and only increasing the price per cup by twenty-five percent.