Monday, October 8, 2007

Familiarity Breeds Contempt


One of the most popular beers we sell at McNellies is Boulevard Wheat. I got to thinking about this and wondered why that is. Is it because it's the best beer we have on tap? No. Is it less expensive than other beers on tap? No. Does it have some special quality that makes it especially outstanding? Not really. So, what is it then? I came up with some reasonable theories as to why it's so popular.

The most plausible explanation is the familiarity of Boulevard Wheat, due to the brewery's Midwest location in Kansas City, a mere 4 hours away. It's a fairly common beer around Tulsa, so many people have tried it at some point. In fact, name recognition is so high, 80% of the time someone orders a Boulevard Wheat, they just ask for a Boulevard. I respond with a reasonable question, "Which one?" This confuses people because they don't realize that Boulevard is a craft brewery and the Wheat is just one variety of the many they produce. In addition to Wheat, Boulevard also brews a Pale Ale, Porter, Dry Stout, and Lunar, as well as seasonal brews which include Bob's 47, Zon, Nutcracker Ale, and Irish Ale.

Boulevard Wheat may not be the best beer we have on tap, but it's pretty decent. It's similar in style to a German Hefe Weizen: a top fermented, unfiltered ale, with a considerable amount of wheat malt. I find it refreshing and mellow with a hint of citrus. Sometimes I even drink it with a lemon. What? Everyone else does it.

In addition to being recognizable and tasty, Boulevard Wheat is easy to pronounce. When faced with a menu listing beers named "Seigneuriale, Grieskirchner Weiss, Duchesse de Bourgogne, and Ayinger Jahrundert", it's not a surprise to hear someone order a Boulevard Wheat. I don't even know how to pronounce those beers.

Although these are all reasonable justifications as to why Boulevard Wheat is a best- seller, I feel that the beer has lost its novelty. It's satisfactory for an evening at Fridays, but at McNellies, there's so many other exceptional beers to consider. Franziskaner and Paulaner Hefeweizen are a couple alternatives. Explore. Point if you must.

12 comments:

Carley said...

Ahh...Franziskaner is my favorite! As for Boulevard Wheat, people order it as just boulevard all the time. I also have to stop and ask, "What type of Boulevard?" Then emerges the confused look on their face...and I proceed by saying, "Wheat?" Sure enough, that's the one!

Kyle said...

As a brewwagier (a made up name for beer experts, equivalent to a sommelier from the wine world) I would like to think I too have developed my own practical theory on the matter. “Boulevard” did what every craft brewer strives for. They became the most requested craft brewed beer in a market. Making the decision to bring the product line into Tulsa was not a difficult one for the brewery, but finding a way to make a city that hates change and loves its AB products to request some faggot beer was going to prove quite an undertaking. Out of the entire line of Boulevard’s regulars, which would be the easiest to approach and how can it be distinguished beyond the others. Boulevard Wheat! Simple on the pallet, light in color, a little malty, effervescent, and they put a lemon wheel on the side of the glass. NOVEL IDEA!
“I saw some guy over there with a beer with a lemon on his glass, what beer is that?” “Oh, it’s boulevard, it’s ‘new’ and people really like it, it doesn’t have that beer taste to it. You wanna try one?”
It was that easy. Who’s not going to try something that might make them stand out, and it doesn’t taste gross.
Keep in mind these are the same people that would guzzle down a ‘bucket-o-swill’ on a random Tuesday night that this little craft house in KC has converted them to the upper echelon of Tulsa society, those same people that wouldn’t support their hometowns own brewpubs (Cherry Street Brewery & Tulsa Brewing Co.). How did Boulevard do it. Simple. They are from Kansas City, they understand people in Middle America (insert whatever stereotypical perception you think may apply). People can pronounce Boulevard. Wheat is a common crop grown round these parts. Fruit added to anything makes it cooler. Oh yeah, they showed up at every Tulsa event for about 3 years and hurled their Wheat beer at the Tulsa community like the US troops in Ethiopia.
Good for you Boulevard you just doubled your annual sales with one town, and you will even brew it in a 3.2% option, just for us. Boulevard opened my eyes to the world of craft brew long before I was old enough to spend much time inside a liquor store and look through the other beers. But I did my research and I knew that I would never settle for another Goliath beer again, “Boulevard” (wheat) turned me in to the beer thirsty, flavor seeking, beer bastard that I am today.
Bouly, where did you go wrong? Did you limit yourself by only bringing in one beer to the be door opener? Or was that the plan all along? Should we be grateful to you for you efforts to educate the ignorant and provide quality products at reasonable prices? Either way people in Tulsa know the name and use it to describe any wheat or non wheat ale or even lagers at times.

Whatever it is, I don’t drink em any more but I don’t hate it. Boulevard wheat is a necessity. People need to have that entry level craft brew that has been properly marketed and served across the Tulsa area.

Not really much of a theory.

Prosit

Anonymous said...

Nicely said Kyle. People like Boulevard Wheat, because it doesn't taste like what most people think of as strong beer. Drinking a Boulevard Wheat puts you in the ranks of "real beer drinker" to the ignorant consumer, without the hassle of actually having to drink real beer. Its the Riesling of the beer world. Not that its a horrible beer. You just compare it to anything outside of the American "wheat beer" genre.

On a side note:
It always fascinates how much people are willing to drink AB products, but don't actually like the taste of beer. How long did they train themselves to like Bud Light?

Anonymous said...

Wow, Kyle... you kill me.

Personally, I can't stand the stuff, but I'd rather people drink it than the "domestics." At least people willing to drink a beer with flavor, even if the flavor is lemon, might someday be willing to branch out into the good beers the world has to offer.

Anonymous said...

Hello I'd like to congratulate you for such a terrific made forum!
thought this would be a perfect way to make my first post!

Sincerely,
Sage Brand
if you're ever bored check out my site!
[url=http://www.partyopedia.com/articles/blues-clues-party-supplies.html]blues clues Party Supplies[/url].

Anonymous said...

[color=red]The Most Affordable XRUMER/BACKLINK SERVICE Online!
The EFFORTLESS and POWERFUL WAY TO BUILD MASSIVE # OF BACKLINKS
[color=black]
200,000 BLASTS of your URLs+ Anchor Tex, message, pictures (can be spinned) etc
$10 USD (shared with other clients like a carpool), or
$25/200k for exclusive!(you control EVERYTHING)
$50 Exclusive @ 500,000 blasts.
(Complete reports will be given to clients)

[IMG]http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/1540/arrowdownh.gif[/IMG]
For orders, questions or concerns? Email: [u]formless.void47 at gmail.com [/u]
Note:
1. For STRICT Whitehat sites, it is advised to create buffers to pass on linkjuice. i.e. social bookmarks, cloaked pages etc.
You can blast the site directly, but it entails risk.
Using buffers are 100% safe, speaking from experience.
2. Xrumer is a very technical tool. Just describe to me what sorts of effects you want and well make it happen!
If you want to buy Xrumer?
>>>>> http://cloakedlink.com/chzgykebsd <<<<<<

[color=black]
-------
CLIENT 2 SAMPLE SPACE FILLED WITH URLs,Pics and Keywords
seo nz Xrumer Cracked Buy Edu Link seo workshop xrumer 5 seo solihull buy link chain seo job description seo web solution organic seo seo rochester seo chile simple seo seo tags To Use Xrumer buy j link xrumer 50 niche seo seo copywriting keyword research seo tool buy d link routers seo software best seo jobs in noida Text Link Broker buy seo seo seminar chicago seo black hat sempo seo xrumer crack seo audit seo logic buffalo seo japanese seo seo roi advanced seo buy g link adult seo buy permanent links seo services thailand google seo training whitehat xrumer 5 download seo chester seo warrington seo edinburgh seo elite training arabic seo seo soft seo training ahmedabad seo search engine optimization

-----
CLIENT 3 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/help-children-grow-taller]help children grow taller[/url] http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/help-children-grow-taller

[url=http://herpeset.co.cc/cheap/Herpes-Diagnostic-Genital-Herpes-Treatment-Herpes-Genitals.html]herpes diagnostic genital herpes treatment herpes genitals[/url]

http://electroniccigs2.livejournal.com/1296.html Buy Rembrandts Blend reviews Buy Splice Platinum reviews Buy OPN O.P.N.

https://bufosalvarius2.wiki.zoho.com/Where-To-Buy-Bufo-Alvarius-To-Buy-Bufo-Alvarius-The-Sonoran-Desert-Toad-The-Colorado-River-Toad-.xml?a=1


-----
CLIENT 4 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/growth-hormone]growth hormone[/url] http://provenheightincrease.co.cc/ebook/growth-hormone

[url=http://growyourdick.co.cc/penile/foods-to-increase-penis-size]foods to increase penis size[/url] http://growyourdick.co.cc/penile/foods-to-increase-penis-size

http://www.fragrance-direct.info/Purchase-Cheapest-Genuine-Vera-Wang-Fragrance-Discounts-Online-Website-Sale-Buy-Best-Authentic-Davidoff.html

http://buycheapplasmatv.info/cgi-bin/index.pl?=rent-to-own-plasma-tv [url=http://buycheapplasmatv.info/cgi-bin/index.pl?=rent-to-own-plasma-tv]rent to own plasma tv[/url]

[url=http://teethwhiteningstripsreviews.info/xr/Utah]teeth whitenijg teeth whitening syringes teeth whitening products uk Akita New Caledonia teeth whitening syringes Brampton 5tooth whitening review North Lincolnshire[/url]

-----
CLIENT 5 SAMPLE SPACE
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Cheap Xrumer Service[/url]
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Cheapest Xrumer Service[/url]
[url=http://cheapxrumerservice.co.cc]Best Xrumer Service[/url]
--------
http://buypleodinosaur3.easyjournal.com/entry.aspx?eid=4359666##Buy Pleo Dinosaur Robots Ugobe Pleo Dinosaur Pleo For Sale Pleo Interactive Dinosaur Pleo Reviews

http://cheaphdtvplasma.co.cc/television/hdtv-glasses [url=http://cheaphdtvplasma.co.cc/television/hdtv-glasses]hdtv glasses[/url]

Anonymous said...

Sign in to terms extent the rude with two backs casinos? query this late-model [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] advisor and hold the capacity in place of a repel up online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also avow to our untrained [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] hint at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and bring in dutiful genially touched in the headmaster !
another friendless confinement [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] scene is www.ttittancasino.com , pro german gamblers, detract a blur with in well-wishing online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Frame the zoological with two backs casinos? ruminate on this advanced [url=http://www.realcazinoz.com]casino[/url] advisor and wing it defamation online casino games like slots, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and more at www.realcazinoz.com .
you can also from our untested [url=http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com]casino[/url] orientate at http://freecasinogames2010.webs.com and succeed in accurate tiring dough !
another novel [url=http://www.ttittancasino.com]casino spiele[/url] conspire is www.ttittancasino.com , as a substitute for of german gamblers, recoup unrestrained online casino bonus.

Anonymous said...

Amiable brief and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.

Anonymous said...

good day dudes. I'm really into shoes and I have been digging for the sake of that meticulous brand. The prices for the boots were about 320 pounds on every page. But finally I bring about this location selling them for the benefit of half price. I in reality like those [url=http://www.shoesempire.com]prada sneakers[/url]. I will definetly buy them. what do you think?

Forever Living said...

It says a lot about the state of American democracy that the country
office space Edinburgh

john smith said...

to really check out the details of the outfits. I think the selection at SoLa right now has some really great options for holiday party outfits. SEO services Tulsa