Better Beer on the Bounding Main

Bud, Miller Lite, Coors Light, Heineken, Amstel Light. This is the beer selection on the Seastreak Ferries. Pitiful. At over $500 per month to commute one should expect a beer selection that is, shall we say, geared for the discriminating palate perhaps? Dare I suggest, a selection that made a token effort to support the local craft brewers from the Tri-State region? Perhaps they could consider the fine Jersey Gold brewed by Hunterdon Brewing for Service on the Seastreak New Jersey ? They have a vessel named the Seastreak Brooklyn, why not serve the fine beers from the Brooklyn Brewery? For a company that prides itself on local involvement and stresses quality of service they are somewhat remiss in the beer department. At this point my long suffering wife is saying "sit down Ed your making an A$$ of yourself." Undaunted by the gales of protest,it is on this very tack that I chose to write to the President of the Company in an appeal to bring better beer to the waterbourne commiuters that ride the Seastreak Ferries...

June 28, 2005

Mr. Geoffrey Ede
Managing Director
Hoverspeed Ltd
International Hoverport
Dover
Kent
United Kingdom
CT17 9TG



VIA TELECOPIER ONLY



Dear Mr. Ede:

I am writing to request that you consider serving better quality beer on the Seastreak Ferry service to New York City. As a company that prides itself on high quality of service, your selection of beer is uniformly adjunct based lagers. This style of beer tends to be rather sparing of character and taste. There are no Porters, Bitters, Stouts or Ales of any type available on any of your Monmouth County based vessels. I note that you do serve such beers on your UK based services. The riders on your vessels deserve better choices and different beer styles. . Locally brewed versions of the aforementioned styles are readily available from most local distribution outlets

Please consider, as a member of the Monmouth County business community, that you are uniquely positioned to support and showcase our proud regional brewers. Perhaps you may wish to consider featuring different brewer’s products on a rotating basis. This increased selection will also enhance the commuting experience and introduce your riders to beers that they might otherwise never take the opportunity to sample. Your riders win by getting a chance to discover a new high quality beer, you win by enhancing customer loyalty and reinforcing the perception that you value quality over conformity, and the local brewers win by getting a chance to market their wares to a select clientele.

I understand that you rely on “popular” brews to ensure that you are not left with unwanted stock. With proper promotion, and reasonable pricing I think you will find that you can enhance your customers commuting experience, support your fellow entrepreneurs and not be left with unwanted stale beer.

In the interest of full disclosure: I am not affiliated with any local brewers or beer distributors, nor do I work in the beverage industry. I am however a Seastreak customer and use your service on average 10 times per week. Should you be interested I will gladly make some recommendations to you or your designee, though I suspect your local staff already has a contact in the local distribution chain that could, if requested, furnish some quality, local beers.

Thank you for your time and consideration.


Respectfully,


Edward Kelley

Atlantic Highlands, NJ