Some James Bond fans weren't happy to hear that the film studio behind "Skyfall" had inked a marketing deal with Heineken, effectively switching Bond's signature martini - shaken, not stirred - with the beer in at least one scene.

But now "Skyfall" star Daniel Craig is defending his character's new beverage option, calling it a necessary move, seeing that the film costs a pretty penny to make.

"We have relationships with a number of companies so that we can make this movie," Craig told Moviefone on the set of the film, which is currently in production. "The simple fact is that, without them, we couldn't do it. It's unfortunate, but that's how it is."

"Skyfall," the 23rd Bond film, "costs a lot of money to make," Craig said. "(And) it costs nearly as much again if not more to promote, so we go where we can. The great thing is that Bond is a drinker, he always has been, it's part of who he is, rightly or wrongly, (and) you can make your own judgment about it. Having a beer is no bad thing, in the movie it just happens to be Heineken."

"Skyfall" hits theaters on Nov. 9.