IPA's on NCL

[deldenon]

What are the chances of getting a good ipa on ncl these days or am I stuck drinking crap beer all week?

[luddite]

Pretty much .....zero chance of an IPA.

They have a VAST selection of American Light Lager from all over the world. If you like swill you can be very happy.

[roger001]

I believe the only IPAs I've ever seen were on the ships doing the Alaska cruises. They had Alaska Brewery beers stocked, including an IPA. I'm an NCL fan but do wish they would improve their selection of beers.

[punkincc]

My DH would probably pay a premium to get some good beers on a cruise. Too bad they don't offer a package deal for beer like the wine package. Seems like there is a lot of demand for it.

[sebas030]

You could get a Bass pale ale...decent...not expensive...

 

but I agree, there is not a very good selection.

 

On Breakaway with year long commitment to NYC, I would expect some of the great beers brewed in the area....

 

But since almost 2/3 of the beer you can see in bucket of beers are Bud lights, I guess the demand for more upscale beer is to small to consider :(

[madoris]

Everyone has a different taste when it comes to food and drink, but to refer to someone else's taste as SWILL and CRAP shows how small some people can be.

[deldenon]

Mass market beer is CRAP beer

[punkincc]

Everyone has a different taste when it comes to food and drink, but to refer to someone else's taste as SWILL and CRAP shows how small some people can be.

 

I am not a beer drinker, but beer has come a long way. There are micro breweries all over and the making of beer is more of an art form, similar to the making of a very good wine.

 

To those with a more sophisticated taste in beer, someone saying their favorite beer is Miller Lite, is like someone saying their favorite wine is Mogen David to someone who knows wine.

 

I am sure some would call some of the wine I drink "swill", but I would not be offended. I understand where they are coming from:).

 

I just don't understand why NCL does not figure out a way to use this growing demand for craft beer to their advantage.

Edited October 27, 2013 by punkincc

[SeaShark]

Mass market beer is CRAP beer

 

Yes, but that is according to YOUR tastes. I'll bet the people who brew, and the people who buy the beer you consider CRAP would disagree. It might also surprise you that some people really don't like the same beers that you like.

 

Regardless, as a Mass Market Line, NCL must stock what the Mass Market demands. There is limited storage space onboard which must be allocated to what sells....to ALL of the cruisers onboard, not just a small few.

 

If the demand really existed, NCL would stock IPAs out the wazoo

[madoris]

Yes, but that is according to YOUR tastes. I'll bet the people who brew, and the people who buy the beer you consider CRAP would disagree. It might also surprise you that some people really don't like the same beers that you like.

 

Regardless, as a Mass Market Line, NCL must stock what the Mass Market demands. There is limited storage space onboard which must be allocated to what sells....to ALL of the cruisers onboard, not just a small few.

 

If the demand really existed, NCL would stock IPAs out the wazoo

 

Well said.

[triptolemus]

Mass market beer is CRAP beer

 

Great. A beer snob. How quaint.

 

Why do people choose to go where they know whatever it is they're looking for isn't there and complain about it anyway? If you want to sample excellent craft beer, why the hell are you going on a cruise ship?

 

Every thing cannot be everything to every one.

[opalinem]

Wow I had never heard of IPA. I had to google it. Some serious beer experts we have here :)

[Seanote]

Yes, but that is according to YOUR tastes. I'll bet the people who brew, and the people who buy the beer you consider CRAP would disagree. It might also surprise you that some people really don't like the same beers that you like.

 

Regardless, as a Mass Market Line, NCL must stock what the Mass Market demands. There is limited storage space onboard which must be allocated to what sells....to ALL of the cruisers onboard, not just a small few.

 

If the demand really existed, NCL would stock IPAs out the wazoo

 

In some instances, it has more to do with supply than demand. That's why you can only buy Yuengling in 14 states and why you can't get Fat Tire in the Northeast. Its not that they dont want to thir beers everywhere--they cant produce it fast enough. The brewers need to ensure enough supply to protect their home territories. NCL's 11 ships consume a boatload of beer on a weekly basis and this is why you will be unlikely to find craft beers on the ships. Although I have seen the occasional exception in Alaska and Hawaii.

[puddles99]

I believe the only IPAs I've ever seen were on the ships doing the Alaska cruises. They had Alaska Brewery beers stocked, including an IPA. I'm an NCL fan but do wish they would improve their selection of beers.

 

Similarly on the Pride of America, local brews from Kona Brewing Company and another (the name escapes me) from Maui are offered on board. Add DH to the list of those who wish a greater variety would be offered - at least on one bar on each ship. Of course he can manage to still have a good time even without what he considers to be "good beer". ;)

[luddite]

Not beer experts.

Not beer snobs.

Beer Geeks.

 

There is a world of beer outside of the giant overseas breweries who are producing the copious amounts amounts of swill that convince some people they don't like beer. The success of the Alaska itinerary and their inclusion of several products from Alaska Brewery should give them pause. We asked the head of NCL why they don't hire someone with some knowledge to explore the beer list. He was VERY excited that they were gonna put Brooklyn Brewery's Lager on the Breakaway. Woo-stinkin'-hoo. Another lager. That brewery has so much to offer and a run-of-the-mill lager is their choice.

 

Beer geeks aren't locked into a particular label or even style of beer. If there was something different they could sell it.

[luddite]

In some instances, it has more to do with supply than demand. That's why you can only buy Yuengling in 14 states and why you can't get Fat Tire in the Northeast. Its not that they dont want to thir beers everywhere--they cant produce it fast enough. The brewers need to ensure enough supply to protect their home territories. NCL's 11 ships consume a boatload of beer on a weekly basis and this is why you will be unlikely to find craft beers on the ships. Although I have seen the occasional exception in Alaska and Hawaii.

 

Indeed, availability is an issue. However,they simply do not try.

The NOLA itinerary could easily get Abita products yet all there is is the usual swill.

[SeaShark]

 

every thing cannot be everything to every one.

 

Looking for the like button... :D

[deldenon]

well said luddite!

[OceanDreaming2]

We may be late to the game, but we just "discovered" Blue Moon Belgian-Style White Wheat Ale. And they had it on the Dawn. ;)

[helpthejuggler]

Would it really be then end of the world if the selection was different on each ship, influenced by the itinerary and seasonal to include variety?

 

I for one would enjoy having a choice of beers bought by NCL to suit what can be sourced locally, even in small quantities. Be happy to have a beer list that was a surprise when we were onboard.

 

They know how much beer sells.

 

With thousands of passengers someone will try something new and maybe like it.

 

They do it on Celebrity, so why not

[SeaShark]

Would it really be then end of the world if the selection was different on each ship, influenced by the itinerary and seasonal to include variety?

 

I for one would enjoy having a choice of beers bought by NCL to suit what can be sourced locally, even in small quantities. Be happy to have a beer list that was a surprise when we were onboard.

 

They know how much beer sells.

 

With thousands of passengers someone will try something new and maybe like it.

 

They do it on Celebrity, so why not

 

Instead of asking "Why not", how about making a case for "Why"? Do the math, map out the projections, show the sales, and prove to them that IPAs offer them increased profitability over the current business model. Show them how much more money they can make for their stockholders if they follow what you feel is a better model. IOW, make them an offer they can't refuse.

[mikeriv79]

I love IPAs and would welcome a change of pace from the standard beers. I won't call them CRAP because I drink Miller lite as my "Go to" beer. But the problem with IPAs is that they are darker(more flavor), higher in calories(heavy), and aren't good for warm weather itineraries, such as the Caribbean. But to have 1 or 2 as an option is a good idea. To the OP, write a letter to NCL and let them know you want to see more beer options.

[rvsullivan]

I'm not a beer drinker, so I wonder. If NCL purchased small volumes of craft beers, local beer or whatever. Would the beer specialists on here be willing to pay, say maybe $10-15 per beer? Similar to how wines are priced with similar mark ups? I'm guessing if the demand was there it could be possible. I think mass market cruise lines market to mass market cruisers? If the majority of cruisers ask for Bud or Coors, that's what's going to be on board. I know the way many on here grumble about drink costs, I figure the cruise lines guess they could not sell expensive beer.

And cost is generally associated with volume.

[mikeriv79]

I'm not a beer drinker, so I wonder. If NCL purchased small volumes of craft beers, local beer or whatever. Would the beer specialists on here be willing to pay, say maybe $10-15 per beer? Similar to how wines are priced with similar mark ups? I'm guessing if the demand was there it could be possible. I think mass market cruise lines market to mass market cruisers? If the majority of cruisers ask for Bud or Coors, that's what's going to be on board. I know the way many on here grumble about drink costs, I figure the cruise lines guess they could not sell expensive beer.

And cost is generally associated with volume.

 

 

I agree with your thoughts on cost, but the $10-15 range is a bit high. I look at cruise beer prices to be similar to Manhattan beer prices. I was in Manhattan two weeks ago and paying $7 a beer for a Lagunitas IPA, so my opinion is that craft beers would cost under $10 depending on the beer. I would pay more every once in a while, but not for every drink.

[stormynow]

What the heck is an IPA?