Sqwertz wrote:
No Poster wrote:

Look at a 6-er of Bud Ice. It doesn't actually say it's beer, but
it says "Ale in Texas" on the bottom of the carton (maybe that's
only the Texas labeling though)

If I'm recalling correctly, Texas is the only state that requires the
"ale" designation for beer of a certain strength.

I do remember it being discussed in here back in the mid 90s. It was more
or less the start of the microbrewery revolution. I was sure hoping it
would lead to a breakup up of the iron fist the beer distributors control
the American market. Things got better, but nowhere near as deregulated as
I had hoped. AB and their ilk still have firm control. Let them be bought
by the Belgians, perhaps it will finally free us.

Incidentally, A-B argued in favor of changing the "ale" labeling law in
favor of allowing it to be used as a descriptive style/brewing method
designator, not as a marker of strength:
http://www.tabc.state.tx.us/leginfo/4577ad.htm

Latest word is that Bud is trying to get Modelo of Mexico to merge
with AB so that InBev won't be able to absorb the combined wealth of
both companies.

Duh. I'd rather have AB owned by a Belgian company than by a
Mexican company.

Other way around: A-B is trying to talk Modelo into selling A-B the
other half it doesn't already own.

Of course I couldn't really care less what happens
to AB, but I do have a weak heart for the Belgian ales.

Pity InBev doesn't have much of anything to do with them.

-Steve