Microbrews on Cruises

[IHATESNOW]

With microbrews being more popular than ever, it surprises me that Carnival does not offer more of a selection of draft beer on their ships. I think that it would be a big hit to have a so called “brew pub” on a ship that the beer lovers can flock to. Perhaps offering regional selections, seasonals and what not, even if it were just a handful of different offerings like IPA, hefenweizen, an amber, a dark and so on. I am curious as to how many fellow cruisers out there would salivate over such an idea. Maybe it’s just me because I am spoiled with the fortune of having so many great beers to choose from in Mass and New England, but I just can’t choke down the Buds, Coors & Millers of the world anymore. I know my beer loving cousins on the other coast would be all over this!

[jonathansburden]

I think it's a great idea! I don't drink beer, but DH is slightly spoiled since the bar near our house has 69 microbrews on tap! The only beer he'll drink onboard is Guinness. I think if this was posable, they'd make a ton of money from "beer snobs" like DH!!

[13point1]

While it sounds like a good idea, from Carnival's standpoint, its probably not worth it.

People would more than likely balk at the extreme markup the ship would charge. They have a captive audience on the ship, so the people that drink will just have to make do with the choices or sneak on what they want.

 

Trust me, Carnival loves to make money, if they could figure out a way to make it work they would be doing it. They fact that they arent doesnt mean they havent thought about it.

 

Does any mass market line offer microbrews?

[GoinCruisin]

I think it would be great... Sadly I'm not sure how well it would go over, since there seems to be entirely too many people that enjoy drinking watered down, artificial beer (aka bud, bud light, coors, etc :p:p) It would be nice if they offered a broader selection, I seriously doubt they could offer them on tap though, but I would love to see a better selection of beers on the ships, in any presentation...

[IHATESNOW]

While it sounds like a good idea, from Carnival's standpoint, its probably not worth it.

People would more than likely balk at the extreme markup the ship would charge. They have a captive audience on the ship, so the people that drink will just have to make do with the choices or sneak on what they want.

 

Trust me, Carnival loves to make money, if they could figure out a way to make it work they would be doing it. They fact that they arent doesnt mean they havent thought about it.

 

Does any mass market line offer microbrews?

 

I already balk at the mark up but I'd be willing pay a little more for something worthy.

Perhaps it has been looked at but like any successful business they need to constantly find the edge that gives them an advantage. I would not be surprised to see one of the cruise lines go after this niche since microbrews are more popular than ever.

[mjmiller]

I would be so all over that! I'm definitely a beer snob. I'm with jonathonsburden's DH - I only drink Guiness onboard, there isn't anything else worthwhile for me - no other dark or wheat beers. :confused:

 

And yes, I'd pay more for a decent beer onboard.

[kornkob]

 

Does any mass market line offer microbrews?

 

Miller has some product lines they position as micros but there's not much that a large brew co can do to make the kind of profit they make on the macro-brews.

 

I'm a homebrewer so I do enjoy a good beer--- however, I'm not a snob and can find things to like even in the mass market beers (homebrewers often refer to them as 'BMCs' which stands for Bud/Miller/Coors)

[13point1]

Miller has some product lines they position as micros but there's not much that a large brew co can do to make the kind of profit they make on the macro-brews.

)

 

I was referring to mass market cruise lines.:D

 

To the people that want to see it, I would suggest, mentioning it on the comment cards.

 

Usually its fairly easy to locate the Food and Beverage Manager onboard. Grab his ear and let him know your concerns, while he isnt the one that makes the buying decisions for the fleet, you can include your discussion with him in a letter to Carnival.

 

I would also be curious at what price point you would be willing to pay? $10, $12?

 

Good Luck.

[Robert6260]

I would love to see microbrews on a cruise but it will never happen. Most major resorts don't carry microbrews either. There is not a large enough buying market to have them on the ship. The closest you will see is Sam Adams.

[LemurCat]

I was on the NCL Gem last winter and they had a special beer and whiskey bar called Maltings. They had a very wide selection of beers -- imports, micros, IPAs, etc. They also had some very nice whiskeys.

[IHATESNOW]

I would love to see microbrews on a cruise but it will never happen. Most major resorts don't carry microbrews either. There is not a large enough buying market to have them on the ship. The closest you will see is Sam Adams.

 

Sam's I can live with. Thank God they have that much anyway.

[stu & SAND]

thought i saw boddingtons on my last (and first) but I may have been drunk...

[SouthernCaribbean]

thought i saw boddingtons on my last (and first) but I may have been drunk...

Here are the choices

 

Beer

 

Domestic

 

12 oz.

 

Coors Light $3.75 Samual Adams Lager $5.00

 

16 oz.

 

Miller Lite 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Miller Genuine Draft 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Ice House 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Budweiser 16 oz aluminum bottle $5.00 Bud Light 16 oz aluminum bottle $5.00 Michelob Ultra 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00

 

Imported Beer

 

12 oz.

 

 

$5.00 Corona Lite

$5.00 Heineken

$5.00 Heineken Lite

$5.00 Amstel Light

$5.00 Pilsner Urquell

$5.00 Labatt Blue

$5.00 Red Stripe

$5.00 Beck's

$5.00 Stella Artois

$5.00 Peroni

$5.00 Corona

 

Other Sizes

 

Bass Ale $5.25

Boddingtons $5.75

Grolsch 16 oz $5.75

Guinness Pub Draught $5.75

Foster's Lager 750 ml $6.25

[yst347]

thought i saw boddingtons on my last (and first) but I may have been drunk...

 

Yes...Boddington's is available on Carnival ships. It is perfect on sea days for sipping on a deck chair. :D

 

I also lament the lack of any draft beer on carnival. I have only seen Heineken and Bud Light offered and even that was spotty. Carnival does offer local beers on the ships sailing from Galveston. Shiner Bock is a favorite in this part of the country and is sold on both Ecstasy and Conquest, but only in bottles.

 

I think the idea of a Brew Pub is great. The one positive I see in the ever larger ships being built is the potential for niche offerings. Perhaps we will see such a pub some time in the future. :)

[xntric1]

Yep, Boddington's, Bass and Guinness is available and for not much more than you pay for the pretend beer. We use the drink coupons and have never been charged the difference for Guinness or Boddingtons. I think it is one of the "best buys" on the ship.

[IHATESNOW]

Yep, Boddington's, Bass and Guinness is available and for not much more than you pay for the pretend beer. We use the drink coupons and have never been charged the difference for Guinness or Boddingtons. I think it is one of the "best buys" on the ship.

 

well I'll be dipped in beer! You answered two questions in one post!

[dan40]

Here are the choices

 

Beer

 

Domestic

 

12 oz.

 

Coors Light $3.75 Samual Adams Lager $5.00

 

16 oz.

 

Miller Lite 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Miller Genuine Draft 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Ice House 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00 Budweiser 16 oz aluminum bottle $5.00 Bud Light 16 oz aluminum bottle $5.00 Michelob Ultra 16 oz plastic bottle $5.00

 

Imported Beer

 

12 oz.

 

 

$5.00 Corona Lite

$5.00 Heineken

$5.00 Heineken Lite

$5.00 Amstel Light

$5.00 Pilsner Urquell

$5.00 Labatt Blue

$5.00 Red Stripe

$5.00 Beck's

$5.00 Stella Artois

$5.00 Peroni

$5.00 Corona

 

Other Sizes

 

Bass Ale $5.25

Boddingtons $5.75

Grolsch 16 oz $5.75

Guinness Pub Draught $5.75

Foster's Lager 750 ml $6.25

 

Also I have found Heineken on tap in the sports bar, [port and forward of the casino] and the lobby bar.

And Guinness on tap in the lobby bar.

 

Dan

[Maxax]

BOY!!! I've been singing this same song for years now! I would LOVE to see a few REAL beer options on the ships!

 

Unfortunately, (like some have mentioned)...I think there are a few problems:

 

1). Very few micro-brews could supply enough product for someone like Carnival.

 

2). A lot of those beers can be quite strong...and I personally, think that Carnival likes the idea of serving watered down, low-alcohol level, of drinks. Sell a few too many strong things...and next thing you know...you've got a ship full of drunken idiots!!!

 

3). Its very hard to please all the people all the time! What you may LOVE as a micro-brew...I may hate, and vice-versa!

 

BUT NONETHELESS....I would still like to see a few more options. Something...outside of the usuals. Fortunately, Budweiser and others are really getting into the microbrew game...and many of their new offerings are quite good. Think about who you are talking about here. NO ONE has the money Bud or Coors or Miller have...(except for InBev that is)...but they can make some nice micro-type brews...and THEY could keep up with a Carnival sized customer.

 

So...to all my fellow Beer Snobs, "Cheers...and lets keep hoping!!!"