— By Zach Perkins |
(via HuffingtonPost)
Following in the steps of Trader Joe’s ‘Simpler Times’ (and perhaps Ed Hardy beer, or Dan Akroyd’s Crystal Head Vodka??? [k, not really]) 7 Eleven is introducing their own in-store brand of beer under the “Game Day” moniker, slinging tall-boys at 2 for $4.
Apparently, 7 Eleven is the third largest retailer of beer in the United States. Trying to stake a claim in that market with a discount brand of their own seems like a smart move. On the other hand, 7 Eleven tried this in 2003 with Santiago, which failed to compete with beers like Corona.
Comments (10)
Important thing to note: there’s a 711 on 18th in the Castro only a few blocks from Dolores Park. LETS DO THIS. ITS FUCKING GAMEDAY!
The corner store on 19th & Guerrero sells 40s of High Life for $2.25. I think if 7/11 really wants to break into the park-drinker market, they should make a cheap Sparks knockoff.
can’t believe the Sparks campaign didn’t jump on that shit.
the “Santiago” beer they sold is still sold by other stores as a Corona knock-of. TJ’s has it, as does Smart And Final (cases are CHEAP) and it tastes a lot better than corona. the same brewery also makes cable car beer.
Thought it’d be cool if they just made the beer 7-11 brand with the vintage old school label. Pretty sure that’d be way more successful than “game day.” http://www.nextsteps.org/spotlite/logos/7-11.jpg. It’d also show your 100% loyalty to the brand that is 7-11. Slurpeeeez.
I agree a 7-11 branded beer would be way cool. IT would be even cooler if said beer had more alcohol in it. like maybe 7%? 11%?
I’m sure it will be made with the same care and quality that goes into other fine 7-11 products, like week-old hotdogs and artificially flavored coffee.
don’t knock 7/11 coffee till you try it! i used to work across the street from one, probably tried every flavor they make in those few short months. the only one that wasn’t delicious was blueberry. standouts include gingerbread and hazelnut.
since I care so much, I decided to buy a tall can of Game Day Ice and review it for you (but then found out someone at the Chron already did and not wanting to seem like I’m taking my lead from them I didn’t bother to post it). So anyway here’s the short review:
-if you’re stuck near a 7-11, it’s not bad . not as good as their Corona knock off (a Salvadoran beer that’s actually great) but it’s an Ice Beer (aka get you fucked up beer) and it’s fine for the price (1.50 or whatever). oh and added cred is that many of the cans were dented when I used up my “lunch hour” (aka I decided to skip lunch and take the fucking N Judah to 46th Avenue) to buy this thing. Yes, that’s how much my Monday sucked, taking the N 38 blocks outbound to buy a can of shitty beer was the highlight of the day.
-also, they really shoulda made this beer stronger. I mean, I can get a 6 pack of pint Rainier Ales (aka Green Death) for 6 bucks at my local corner store. I stand by my “7% 7-11 beer” brand idea.
I agree with the idea of the 7-11 (branded & logo) name instead of “game day” (dorky name) and besides, who’s idea was it to come up with the “Commie Red Star” on the label? Unless the folks in marketing are mostly Obama supporters. Then it makes sense.