MillerCoors getting crafty?

September 3, 11:37 AMBeer ExaminerCharlie Papazian

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Photo by George Kochaniec Jr

My hat is off to the brewers who are making beer at the MillerCoors microbrewery in Golden, Colorado called AC Golden Brewing Company.   The Rocky Mountain News recently wrote about their endeavor "The art of crafting fine beer:  Tiny AC Golden finding success in small-batch operation."  The brewmaster's passion is heartily conveyed.  On August 31 another story appeared, "Coors to get even craftier."

The reader comments are equally interesting and offer a perspective many of the readers of this Beer Examiner's column have expressed.  It's worth taking a look at.  

One point of interest to me is that the beer that they're highlighting in the article, brewed at the MillerCoors owned AC Golden Brewing Company is called Herman Joseph's Private Reserve.   It seems that they are recreating a beer that was a major brand of Coors back in the 80's that perhaps lasted to the early 90's.   What I recall from my conversations with Coors brewmasters at the time that this was a corn adjunct beer.   Adjunct, as in about 30% corn to 70% barley malt ratio.  It was marketed as a premium brand, but tasted like another adjunct light lager.   Of course it was well brewed, clean and refreshing.   But no way no how was it anything about today's craft brewing culture.  

So for right now from what I know and as an observer just like yourself, AC Golden seems to be an incubator for nostalgic brands.   And they admit they would like to cultivate another success such as Blue Moon from MillerCoors.  

Note: I usually don't wear a hat.

Interesting times.