Beer in Cayman

Thirstyman wrote:

I've enjoyed visiting and living in Cayman for many years, but have always lamented the lack of interesting brews. America's abundant small breweries produce thousands of craft beers in all styles, but with few exceptions none are available in Cayman. I'm told there are import complexities, cost considerations, and quality control issues hindering the distribution of microbrews in Cayman, but I'm not sure I totally buy that. Those same factors should affect the importation of wine and liquor, but don't seem to. Are there others on this forum who yearn for a decent IPA? If so, maybe together we can bring about change.

Well, it's a matter of profitability, isn't it? People in general are more likely to experiment with wines than beers, and there is more profit on wines for the liquor importers. In an isolated community like ours, with only 60,000 residents, from a hundred different nations, we shouldn't expect to find much speculation by importers. What do you reckon?

(I think you could probably bring in a case or two of anything at all, in your own name and handling all the import regulations. Forty years ago some of us used to get together and import sides of lamb and cases of tinned fruit. But them we got tired of it and bought from the new supermarkets - who don't even sell sides of lamb!)

My intent in posting here is to learn if there are others who feel as I do on this subject, or perhaps I’m a voice in the wilderness. I know profitability is key, and demand may still be insufficient to make the sale of craft brews worthwhile in Cayman. But I wonder if any importers have undertaken market research on that, or are they just sticking with their tried-and-true approach that has worked so well for them all these years. The industry is changing. The craft beer market in the States has grown exponentially in recent years, with folks eagerly seeking out new brands and styles to try, i.e. it’s not just Bud-Miller-Coors any more. Typically, a wine I buy in Cayman costs about 80% more than the same wine in the US. I grumble, but if it’s good I still buy it. For a good craft beer I’d be willing to pay an even higher mark-up, but unfortunately it’s not available at any price. So for now I’ll continue schlepping cases of brew in my luggage, but at my advanced age I need a porter. In fact I think I’ll pour myself one right now!