The following is adapted from a reply I posted to a discussion East Bay Beer started about the choices we make with our hard-earned beer money, and how much shadiness we may or may not be willing to support.
As Chandler Bing once said, “Can, open!! Worms, everywhere!!”
I don’t know if I need every brewer who’s products I buy to be my best friend. I used to be a regular at a tiny brewery in the Tri-Valley. This place defined nano-brewery before anyone ever heard of the term. I loved going there (mostly because it was only a 20-minute stumble home), and the beers were delicious. But, the brewer was infamously cheap (he would refuse to ever use the AC, even during summer days that frequently topped 100), and he was never known for being kind to his staff. Yet I was still at the bar at least once or twice a week.
On the other end of the scale, I absolutely adore Sierra Nevada (I’m drinking a Ruthless Rye as I write this). But with the opening of their new facility in North Carolina, they’ve pretty much obliterated the “craft” label. I have no knowledge of their business practices, but if I did find out they were involved in various shenanigans, I honestly doubt I would stop being a customer. A Christmas season without Celebration? Blasphemy!
Speaking of expansion, the big boys have noticed the slight erosion in their market share and are taking steps to maintain their dominance, be it marketing their own “craft” brews or outright purchasing other ones. I’ve purposely avoided RedHook, Widmer, and others for that very reason. They’ve already gotten a ton of help, why should I give them any more? Then again, I love Kona Brewing, and make it a point to visit whenever I’m in “da Islands.” Am I a giant hypocrite?
There’s also the “payola” issue of some craft brewers rolling in free kegs to get tap space. I never realized that took place, but I should hardly be surprised. Every industry seems to be cutthroat at some level. It’s the same reason the big brands get the prime spots on grocery store shelves. My shopping habits hardly indicate that I take that into consideration.
The same goes with my wardrobe. How much of my closet was not produced in a sweat-shop? I would guess very little. And I own several Apple products. They aren’t known for coddling their workers, either. So should I raise a big stink if some brewers bribe bar patrons with doodads, or if they are less than forthcoming about their ownership, or the location of their facilities?
Bottom line, for me, is probably the less known, the better. If I learn something that doesn’t thrill me about a specific brewery or brand, I may think twice about supporting them. But I’m not going to whip out the smartphone and Google every single purchase I’m considering, either.