Your thoughts on Alpine's decision?

More for us!!!! Actually Expo is by far the least enjoyable of their IPA's so it really isn't a big deal at all that they won't be bottling/growler filling it in the future. Plus whoever would by a growler of a beer that needs to be drank fresh on Ebay and then wait for it to be shipped is a fucking idiot and deserves the shitty beer they are going to receive.

 

Are you even reading what you're writing? Since you are apparently dumb/ignorant enough to think a drunkard's piss is the same as "collectible" containers of beer that everyone knows are going to get drank while everyone knows that the piss will get tested, not drank, I have nothing left to say to you except no one will ever get prosecuted for sending a drunkard's piss to get tested while there's a slight chance people will for selling "collectible" beer containers.

 

Wish I could change my BA handle to "TheGuyWhoRuinedAlpineForEveryone" or "AlpineGrowlers4321"

 

(obviously it wasnt me who did it)

 

honestly, good for them. I don't necessarily like it since I'm on the East coast and they want to keep things local, but passing up easy profits in order to provide quality products for a reasonable price is commendable.
If the beers can bring profit to a third-party on Ebay or wherever, that means they could easily charge more for their beer and spread their distribution at a high markup. Their priorities are not capitalistic, rather they want to provide the best possible product to their loyal customers, rather than offering their beer to someone who just wants to make a few bucks off it on Ebay.

I have never purchased a beer from Ebay, and I never will.

 

no need to disrepectful we are all on the same level here. maybe i just didnt state my point clearly enough. the fact that he is limiting his business to only locals means that of course they are going to be his backbone. if somehow he was able have as much beer in philly as he is where his brewery is I think he would consider philly his backbone as well. it's a catch-22 and there is no way for him to be wrong on his decision because of it. yea im proud of him as a fellow brewer and creator who doesnt want his creations mistreated or abused, but at the same time i think he should have some of his beer and say damn, i really want everyone in the world to be able to try this beer. he obviously wants to share it with people, why put a restriction on those people able to recieve his bounty. im not upset that i cant get it because i have plenty of beer to drink in the time being, but the action seems to be an overreaction (though i do stand behind him keeping his word as a brewer)

 

If everyone who hates the sale of beer on ebay complained as much as they do here something might be done. I personally have sent complaints multiple times.

 

I'm sure if I close my eyes and pretend its not happening that it totally isn't. Don't be childish, just because you cannot see something doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

 

The Treasury Dept.'s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) and, to a lesser extent, the FDA would probably disagree with you.

See also the Federal Alcohol Administration Act of 1935, the basis for the post-Prohibition Federal alcohol laws and regulation.

 

I guess I would care about this a lot more if there weren't so many fine beers now made locally to me. I do think every brewer who comes out against ebaying beer is a good thing, but stopping fills won't have any real impact. But...with so many fine beers being made by so many fine local breweries now, and more opening every day, in the future no one will care about ebaying beer or some tiny brewery in another state discontinuing fills. Drink and enjoy locally is what Alpine wants to promote, and I say RIGHT ON!!!

 

I voted for "over-reacted" because I honestly believe Alpline, as a small craft brewer is hurting more people than its helping with this decision.

I get the mindset of people who are against eBaying and profit. I just don't agree that a brewery should be able to decide where its bottles and growlers go after they've been sold and taken off of the premises.

In Seattle we have a radio station that plays alternative/rock/modern hits. One of the bands they play, and one that I've seen live and love is Awolnation. A small ad they play for Awolnation has a soundbite from the lead singer that says something like "If they buy it, great. If they download it, great. If they steal it, great. As long as they're joining the family..." I know everything is a business, but let's look past that for now (the way I would if I ran a craft/artistic business.) Let's think of the people we can reach with the the product we are producing.

If 1 person chooses to take advantage of the charity and trust of the brewery, that's not a cool thing to do. As the leader of that brewery, and thus that community, I'd certainly make it know that I'm not in any way supportive if that 1 person's decision to do so. I would not, however deprive the thousands of beer enthusiasts around the country who trade for and enjoy my beer of the opportunity to consume my product.


I'm sorry if it offends you, but in my opinion, the role of the brewer is to make the beer. They aren't allowed to decide where each and every bottle ends up after it leaves the brewery. If they aren't happy with their beer ending up being traded or eBayed, they may as well close up shop.

 

The brewer's an idiot. Get over it. It's 2012. This stuff is a reality of life. Either deal with it, or get out of the business. Don't need to hear him piss and moan about it. I've never sold on eBay, but I have purchased. It's a convenient way to get beers that I can't obtain locally, and it's less hassle than trading.

It's freaking beer. Simmer down. You're not brewing the cure to cancer. Really annoys me the way beer is almost considered sacrament in the beer geek community.

 

You're contradicting yourself...he is dealing with it by the change he's making and he's not pissing and moaning, he's explaining the reason for the change.

 

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just saying I'm confused by your statement/argument. It still doesn't, he wasn't limiting anything, they were the production limits and even before he made the change, assuming he actually does, his backbone was still his locals. Of course wherever a lot of his beer is bought is part of the backbone, that's a no-brainer. He's really not limiting or barely so anyone in his backbone. Why put a restriction? He explained why, he feels that strongly about the whole eBay thing. I'm not upset either, I can't be upset for a brewer standing by their beliefs but it does kinda suck that it might not be bottled again.

 

Ive never had it and i heard great things so i would have loooooved to try it. But i agree with them. Trades is one thing but selling it on Ebay is a whole other monster. GOod for them, IMO

 

I cross myself and praise the Holy Trinity every time I crack open a Bourbon County Stout.

 

Wow this thread got way out of hand.

Anyway agree or disagree with what Pat (the brewer and owner) stated. He will keep making great beer and probably the best IPA's coming out of California or the west coast for that matter. His statement will not hurt him. If you want to stop drinking his beer or not try his beer for his statement well go for it. Saves more for me.

I hope all understand this is how MOST brewers look at ebay and beer. Many have come out and said it and many have done something about it. They are still doing very well. People are still flying across the country and driving from the middle of the country to try just one glass of Pliny the Younger.

Pat said if he saw Expo on ebay he would not put it in growlers anymore. He stands by his statements.

 

Did you read it? Because the TTB's first 3 pages are on intrastate transport and it references the Wilson Act which states, "All fermented, distilled, or other intoxicating liquors or liquids transported into any State or Territory or remaining therein for use, consumption, sale, or storage therein, shall upon arrival in such State or Territory be subject to the operation and effect of the laws of such State or Territory.."

TTB regulates Taxes & Permits and yes there are Federal regulations on alcohol like regulating labels and brewing permits, but the transport is regulated by the states. Sorry I wasn't more specific in my original post.

 

Was there this much uproar over PtY? Jesus.

Expo is still bottled, BTW. That may change though.

 

Bottom line is, there are other beers just as good.

And eBay scalpers are the scum of the earth.