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Seriously, Qwest needs better beer options

After four home matches, I can truly see that my efforts to get on the Alliance Council need to be redoubled. Because Sounders FC is allowing MLS and the league's business relationships to dictate the beer choices, and yet they could be so much better.

Just because Budweiser is the "official beer" of MLS does not mean that only Budweiser products must be served. Currently the only options i have discovered in the South East corner of the stadium are Bud, Bud's American Ale, Coor's Light and Tecate. Sure American Ale is probably the best beer produced by a major manufacturer, finally approaching the level of the mid-majors (think Sam Adams, Red Hook, Pyramid for size), and is a decent option. But don't claim that it is premium. $8.50 for 16 oz of a beer at that quality limits profitability.

Star-divide

American Ale by Budweiser should be in the stadium, as should the other options currently there, but Seattle is a diverse place, with diverse tastes and actually pretty good tasted. I have made the case in the past, and sadly need to do so again.

Qwest needs better beer.

Here's a reminder of what Qwest could have rather than just Coor's Light, Tecate and official Bud products.

Bass
Boddington’s
Stella Artois
Kokanee
Red Hook
Widmer

Those aren't the only options, but they seem to be the ones that should be in a soccer stadium in the Pacific Northwest. They would connect with our community's unique character. Because currently the beer options are treating Seattle soccer fans as if we are exactly the same as fans in Kansas City, or DC or New England. We are different, and the league and team should use the diversity of InBev's holdings to recognize the diversity of the regions that follow the sport here in the USA and Canada.

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I refuse to spend any money on beers at Qwest until they lower the price, and actually sell good ones.

Just because you can charge an obscene amount of money for a crap beer doesn’t mean your profit margins will be higher than if you charged a medium amount for a great and refreshing beer.

I think more people would buy if this changed, and it needs to. + 1 for the post dave

by Jon on Apr 26, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions  

I agree in principle, but no P*rtland or Vancouver brews in Qwest. =)

by JesseMT on Apr 26, 2009 8:00 PM PDT reply actions  

My best friend, who is not a soccer fan asked me the other day if the beers were great at the stadium. I asked him why and he said, because it is an international sport and I thought they would use beer as a way to promote that. NOT! Old phrase, but it is true. I have found Alaska, Pyramid and Sam Adams. These are only sold in small stands for $8.25. There is no reason why the stadiums beer prices need to be so high for one. Same old story for all sporting events. They got you there and they know it. The beer should be quality. If not international. All the normal food stands sell crap beer. You have to search for the others. I know everything is not about beer, but it is something that even people like my friend, associate with international. Are we not trying to become that? Also, are we not a mecca for beer making. Can we not offer something local? Multiple choices for a couple bucks less than $8.25. Oh, I am sorry. Drinking is bad. Than ban drinking at all games. This is not like making a cigarette tax. Doing something wrong, so pay for it. It’s ok to have a couple of beers at a soccer game.

by TL on Apr 27, 2009 2:05 AM PDT reply actions  

the only thing worse than an $8.25 bud light, is spilling the whole dang thing during your goal celebration.

i know this b/c i did this at aroung the 50 minute mark.

time to start sneaking in my own i think.

by soundersfootblogger on Apr 27, 2009 3:34 PM PDT reply actions  

The club section actually has a broad selection available, I had a Pyramid Rollick on opening night, however the prices are insane for everything. So like Jon above and seeing how we dropped a chunk for tickets, we have opted since opening night to visit many the local establishments and spend there.

by matt on Apr 28, 2009 9:01 AM PDT reply actions  

Club level has Sierra Nevada Pale, Widmer, Red Hook, Stella and a few others.

by Matt on Apr 28, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions  

The Club level has controlled access.

I should note, that I’m only talking about stuff on tap, and not the plastic bottles. Oddly Pyramid is available during Seahawks games, and on tap, but not Sounders.

by Dave Clark on Apr 28, 2009 11:53 AM PDT reply actions  

It all depends on where you are located. Up in the Nort End, we have access to Alaskan, Pyramid and Red Hook (depending on the game) on draught. Over near the mid-field sections (at least on the East side) they have Tecate, Red Hook and a couple others. I agree that the beer selection is crap, particularly when compared to Safeco, but it’s not as bad as I’ve seen (Anaheim, Oakland for example).

by Knuckles on May 7, 2009 4:20 AM PDT reply actions  

Alaskan is available on the lower west side sections at a kiosk near the pro-shop.

by David on May 7, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions  

I agree 100%. If we are going hype our club’s Democracy in Sports… then this NEEDS to be one of the things we must be able to influence. Previous beer contracts can be tricky… but we must have better choices. I vote MANNY’S from Georgetown Brewery, which is made a mile away from Qwest. If I’m going to spend the big $$ for a beer, it needs to be a good beer.

by LJ on May 10, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions  

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