Greetings, beer lovers! Happy Friday, and yes, ‘tis chingchongchinaman once again (or not again, mayhaps) as your guest FNBB blogger for this evening, the start of a 3-Friday “guest conductor” FNBB run this month. So you may want to e-run for the hills appropriately. And bonus e-brownie points for anyone who recognizes the in-joke, either variant (…), of this FNBB’s title.
As everyone here knows, President Biden set a goal of 70% of American adults aged 18+ getting at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot by July 4. Likewise, also as everyone here knows, we as a nation did not meet that goal. From looking at the CDC COVID Data Tracker page this past Monday, which had the number up to just about July 4, the number was at 67.1%. Looking at the page today, the value was slightly up from Monday, to 67.4%. At this rate, we might hit 70% in something like 40-45 days. I’ll be happy to check in 6-7 weeks, although hopefully we’ll have hit 70% adults with one jab before then.
The beer industry modestly (or in one case to be mentioned, maybe not so modestly) did its part to try encourage Americans to get closer to that goal, with different variations of a “beer and a shot” campaign, i.e. free beer upon proof of vaccination. Self the loser mentioned 5 weeks ago in this FNBB about NJ’s “Shot and a Beer” campaign, with many NJ craft breweries participating. It turns out that at almost the same time, towards the end of May, Minnesota rolled out its “Cheers to the Vaccine” campaign (you betcha):
“May 28, 2021
[ST. PAUL, MN] — Today Governor Tim Walz, in partnership with the Craft Brewers Guild and the Minnesota Distillers Guild, launched the ‘Cheers to the Vaccine’ campaign providing free or discounted drinks to vaccinated adults. Minnesotans 21 years of age and older who have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose will be eligible for a free or discounted drink at participating establishments starting May 28 through June 30.”
Lauren McGinty, the executive director of the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild, noted the slight “dueling interests” of public health, COVID-19 vs. alcohol consumption:
“Minnesota breweries are excited to get customers back in their taprooms, but they also want to continue to be safe. This program is a great way to promote safety and support local small businesses that have been hit especially hard during the pandemic.”
Slightly earlier in May, as one smaller-scale example, Weld County, Colorado, hosted a pop-up vaccination clinic at WeldWerks in Greeley, CO, as reported by Chris Crowell from the Craft Brewing Business website here:
“As momentum for vaccinations decrease in Colorado, WeldWerks Brewing Co. wants to help by lending their resources and beer; the brewery is partnering with Weld County Department of Public Health & Environment to host a walk-in vaccination clinic on Saturday, May 22 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. at WeldWerks. Those that receive the vaccine will be rewarded with one free draft pour, as well as a limited edition “I Got Vaccinated” 16-oz can of beer to take home.”
Crowell quotes Neil Fisher, co-owner of WeldWerks, in much the same spirit as McGinty:
“Now, as vaccine appointments are going unfilled across Colorado and availability is no longer a limiting factor, we’re seeing a strong correlation between higher case rates in counties where there are lower vaccination rates…
Beyond public health and safety, which remains the highest priority for WeldWerks, the brewery also realizes there are tangible financial impacts to higher vaccination rates. With updated guidance from the CDC regarding masks, vaccinations provide the most effective and expedient path for a return to normalcy—and that includes bustling taprooms.”
Of course, here at FNBB, and generally (I would surmise) at DK, the importance of getting one of the COVID-19 vaccines is already understood, so 3CM the loser is very much preaching to the choir here. But even in Red America, namely Nashville, TN, the city got into the act in its way, with its “Shot for a Beer, Shot for a Cup” campaign during May, as covered by Sebastian Posey of WKRN here:
“Under the new campaign, Davidson County residents can receive a free beer (to patrons 21+) or coffee drink by showing their COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card at participating businesses.”
Somewhat late in the game, Anheuser-Busch touted its “Let’s Grab a Beer” campaign, where, as Keith Gribbins summarized it at the Craft Brewing Business website here:
“This appears to be an expansion of A-B’s previously announced ‘A Beer on Bud’ campaign. Here’s the gist: When America reaches the White House’s goal of 70 percent of adults partially vaccinated, A-B will give away a beer, seltzer, non-alcoholic beverage or some other A-B product to vaccinated adults 21+ who participate.”
The watchdog group Alcohol Justice (https://alcoholjustice.org/) ‘EVISCERATED‘ (in DK-characteristic fashion, with all that that implies as to actual effect) the A-B campaign here. Of course, to reiterate, we as a nation didn’t make the goal of 70%. However, as Dan Levin covered it here in the NYT, A-B went ahead with the campaign anyway and ran the campaign last weekend :
“On Wednesday, the company said that it is still offering adults a $5 virtual credit card for beverages this weekend, whether or not they had been vaccinated.
Beginning at noon on Friday, and ending on Monday night, U.S. adults of legal drinking age can log on to a company website, provide personal information like their email address and ZIP code, and receive a gift card redeemable for an Anheuser-Busch beverage at bars, restaurants and other retailers.”
Note the dry understatement from Levin. Of course, 3CM already got his vaccine, so no need for me to take part in this campaign and sign away over my personal info to yet another corporate database. Instead, self the loser went with a past choice, a 2nd Shift Brewing Co. Sunny Cat (pineapple version) hazy pale ale, since it was in the fridge. But it’s a nice beer, so no complaints there :) .
So now it’s your turn. What you all imbibing tonight? Anyone brewing their own?