The Alumni You Like to Brag About

Working on the Shiner account here at McGarrah Jessee in Austin Texas has really opened my eyes to not only advertising beer but also the beer industry itself.

Yesterday, an interesting article was published by Advertising Age about how Budweiser is creating zip-code branded brews that hope to compete with small craft brewers. Check it out here.

It is interesting how this big beer company is even trying to target smaller specific locations just to compete with small local breweries. Why craft special beers tied to locations when you have a beer that is known worldwide?

While reading this article I saw a comment below it that mentioned a brewery located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey that named and brewed each beer for an exit on the New Jersey Turnpike. I rushed to their website and found the beer for my exit, Exit 9 – Hoppy Scarlet Ale. Then it hit me. Having something that is connected to where you’re from feels good. It feels like that successful alumni that went to your school that you always brag about. When I saw that Exit 9 christened beer, my cheeks became firm and a smile over came my face. It was a little reminder of my home and where I am from.

I am beginning to understand this connection that Texans have with Shiner. It is the beer that is connected to their home, to the place they live. Shiner is their alumni they like to brag about.