Becks

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a Beck's promotion where they sponsor an emerging artist and allow them to design an artwork to be displayed as the label on bottled Becks. Due to a number of circumstances, I had to decline the offer. However , I did notice that the bottles that were supplied for our work function did in fact feature the work of some young artist. This is the point where my appreciation in art reaches its crescendo and I loose interest fast and focus on consuming what is inside the bottle rather than looking at what is on it. I find it fascinating from a marketing perspective as I see no logical reason for running such a promotion. Not only are you removing visual branding, but you are also supporting a cost which is not going to increase your market presence or sales penetration. Anyhow, I feel that the beer is very similar in taste to Beck's Vier which I commented on a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the hop flavour is masked slightly by the stronger alcohol concentration, but overall it is very similar and is a good example of a Helles style beer. Website: http://www.becks.co.uk/

Becks Vier

Later in the week after the Ealing Beer Festival I was in my local, The Old Parrs Head W14 for dinner (they have an excellent Thai kitchen) when I noticed a new addition to the draught beer selection - Beck's Vier (4.0% abv) (named after German for four). Now come the question - What is the difference between Becks Vier and just regular ordinary Becks? Apparently from the label 1% abv, however upon tasting I noticed that the beer is a lot softer than standard becks with a more hoppy fresher taste.
Apparently Vier was initially tried as a lower alcohol alternative in 50 pubs and bars across the UK and was a roaring success. This led to a UK wide release in April 2006 in both draught and can forms. The launch was backed by a massive £4 million marketing campaign promoting the beer as a 'premium' or top shelf alternative to standard lagers such as Fosters and Carling. The advertising claims that Vier has the same colour and taste as the original, but with a lower alcohol level to appeal to UK session drinkers.
Overall I found the beer to be acceptable however slightly flat, but still leagues ahead of the usual suspects available. I think it will be interesting to see how the Vier brand fairs against its competition! Website: http://www.becks.co.uk