I think that your assumption is not correct. The "Big Boys" can tweak if
they want to, but they have long ago tweaked in the pilot brewery, found
their flavor and aroma characteristics that they want, then brew for the
general public with great consistency. If we were to accept your points as
valid, the corollary would be that the "Big Boys" know that they are selling
an inferior product, but are locked in to this product because of the need
for consistency. If the Big Boys want to change the recipe, they can. They
don't do it very much or often, because they are right where they want to be
(selling a whole boatload of beer to the masses--what they brew works for
their needs). The brewpubs and microbreweries don't have the millions
invested in consistency; their product varies from batch to batch, no matter
how much they try to keep the consistency the same. Looking at it another
way, the brewpubs and microbreweries are brewing as best as they can to fit
the style guidelines set out by the GABF for judging. All the entrants know
this--if the Big Boys don't feel that their beer meets the style guidelines
for judging, then don't enter that style category, or change the recipe.
Looking at the some of the style categories for the GABF:

American-Style Light Lager
American-Style “Light” Amber Lager
American-Style Lager
American-Style Premium Lager
American-Style Specialty Lager
Non-Alcoholic (Beer) Malt Beverage
American Lager/Ale or Cream Ale
American-Style Wheat Beer
American-Style Amber/Red Ale
Irish-Style Red Ale
Golden or Blonde Ale

These styles probably encompass the majority of the Big Boy's beer portfolio
(and comprise approx. 15% of the total style categories). They can enter
their beers in the American-Style Lager, and should do well. If they don't
do well, then they may be losing market share, because some other Big Boy is
brewing a better American-Style Lager. If they enter that same beer in the
English-Style Indian Pale Ale, they will lose. You should know what you
brew, and brew it the best you can, then enter it. The Big Boys should have
figured out how to brew it the best long ago, and are just working on
consistency. If not, then they may be losing market share.

Kevin


"nicholas peter dempsey" > wrote in message
...
> In article >,
> Scott T. Jensen > wrote:
> >"Oh, Guess" wrote:
> >
> >This isn't some conspiracy theory. What I state was SAID by microbrewers
on
> >the show, SHOWN on the show, and even one of the JUDGES that entered in
his
> >own beer (Dark Chocolate Stout ... if I remember correctly) was shown
> >specially hand-bottling his own beer and stating why he's doing it.
> >
> This is exactly what I saw as well. Brewers tweaking batches until they
> had one that they felt was contest worthy. I doubt this is an issue with
> the big boys' beer that comprises a large proportion of GABF entries, but
> is something the the micro guys do since they don't have the millions
> invested in consistency that BMC does.
>
> --NPD
> --
> ___________________________
> Nicholas P. Dempsey
> Department of Sociology
> University of Chicago