Has wearing beer apparel gone too far?

What your wear and purchase is a reflection of who you are, what you like etc. Everything you wear even if it's just a plain shirt from the Gap says something. I have a handful of shirts mainly from a local brewery that I wear pretty regularly out and about. They're high quality shirts, and I really like the designs. I know there are countless threads here about how great it is to see craft beer crossing demographics, merging with different forms of art etc (see all the "i love this beer label art' threads)..fashion is simply another offshoot of that, and yes it's also advertising for the brewery. Craft beer is a business. I have no issue at all "advertising" for a business I support.

And who gives a shit what anyone else wears.

 

You talking to people who spend their free time rating beers and posting to online beer forums. The chance of anyone here actually being cool and fashionable is about .001%. Wear whatever you want. You are not going to be cool...tailored suit or socks & sandals...doesn't matter either way.

 

You've never seen a Jack Daniels T?

If you happen to drive down I-95 through South Carolina, stop by Yemassee and grab one of these:
https://www.facebook.com/1702283331...0.1447939082./300724273459510/?type=3&theater

 

I don't have a problem paying for apparel from a brewery who's beers I enjoy. It's just helping to support them financially and giving them publicity too.
It's also a great conversation starter when someone is wearing a shirt or hat from a brewery you both enjoy.

Don't want to pay for it? Don't buy it.
Seems pretty simple to me.

 

Lots of remarks in this thread about 'being someone's billboard', as if you should be getting paid for advertising something you like.

When you discover a great band, do you keep it a secret until your friend gives you money to let him listen? Of course not. When I am a big fan of something cultural, albeit a business - it still strikes me as artform - I like to let people know, 'hey, I really like X beer/music/etcetera, and if my personality strikes a chord with you or you know me and trust my judgement, you might want to give it a try as well.'

That said, I only own a couple brewery shirts, and only because I work for a distributor and I needed some comfortable clothes I that could pass for work attire. I work in the office so I don't get hand-outs, but this way I get to wear shirts from the breweries that I like, and not the budweiser shirts the drivers and sales guys have to wear. I'll be in the office in my comfortable Fulton hoodie.

But honestly, if someone likes something, let them express it. Sure, it's advertising - but when I want to spread the word about a product simply because I like it, apparel is a great way to do that.

Now, all that said, don't be the douche who wears coordinated hat/shirt combos to the same brewery as is plastered on your shirt

 

Not if you rock these fuckers out like my Dad did.

 

I have as many wine t-shirts as beer t-shirts.

 

I was expecting something much more horrifying upon entering this thread. Like Rogue speedos or Dos Equis bottomless chaps. Piece of brewery apparel I've found most excessive was a bike suit (which are pretty scary in their own right).

I guess rocking coordinated shirt/hats is a bit much for someone not connected to a particular brewery in any official capacity, but I'm not that put off by it. Just be happy they're appropriately attired. I wear t-shirts a lot on weekends (usually related to one or a combination of: beer, baseball, or sci-fi) so I guess me and my awesome fashion sense are in no position to judge on this particular issue.

 

i wear a lot of beer merch but mainly because i got them for free. However i always make sure not to wear both a hat and tshirt from the same brewery at the same time, thats for people who work at the brewery.

I love hats though, give me a good brewery hat any day of the week. If they had brewery flannels i'd probably where them too...

 

I have been looking for absurd shirts like this everywhere...

 

Hmm I don't find this ridiculous. Perhaps they wont a contest for that shirt? Perhaps it was free? Perhaps they like to visit breweries and get a souvenir from each...maybe one is a growler...one is a glass...one is a shirt? And maybe thats the one time every 2 to 3 weeks they happen to wear this shirt...I will agree on the matching is a bit weird.

I know one of my favorite shirts is a special Sly Fox shirt I got for completing my first ever 5k at their brewery. They are also in my hometown...not my favorite brewery but it is kind of a special item to me! Just sayin!

 

Not to mention the fact that I've seen more Jack Daniels t-shirts than blue cars in my lifetime.

 

I don't wear t-shirts much in public anymore, but around the house I wear brewery stuff. Never considered a brewery HAT. Hmmm . . .

 

I have a bunch of brewery t-shirts. I don't have hats and all that, though... I only buy shirts I like the designs of though, I won't buy if they look stupid.

 

I'm seeing a lot of this sentiment. You guys must be older, and in a different tax bracket than myself. What DO you wear?

'I need to run to the hardware store, I'd better pick out a tie...'

 

Need dat.

 

Completely agree about the conversation starter. Especially when I wear my Russian River work shirt and pretend to be a brewer... one can hope right?!?!

 

I don't see how you could be a better beer advocate then by being a walking advertisement letting the masses know of great breweries and beer.

 

As long as the clothing is appropriate for the situation, I really don't pay much attention to what other guys are wearing nor do I care. Wearing brewery gear is really no different than wearing gear from a band, sports team, etc.

Going to a sporting event must really get your panties in a wad, huh?

 

I see no problem with it, maybe some people go a little overboard at times but, this thread is kind of silly to be honest. People will judge whoever, whenever. I have three brewery shirts that i got at allagash, bissel bros, and foundation brewing when i visited portland. All three make really good beer, I'll proudly wear all of them whenever i feel like it, and could care less what others think. In fact the bissel shirt is my favorite tee i own. Lets just drink great beer and enjoy it eh?