14 Breweries Split from the Colorado Brewers Guild

I understand he has other issues with them but this is also one of them. From his post..
"In your case, some of your Brewery’s recent actions point towards a brewery that I feel ISN’T Craft & therefore I wish to have nothing to do with. In the Craft Beer Industry, it’s either you are WITH it, or you are AGAINST it, there really is no in-between. Starting this year, you have left the Colorado Brewers Guild."

 

It's not about leaving the Colorado Brewers Guild specifically (although that is what happened), but that fact that OB left the trade group that fights or is supposed to fight for the benefit of the industry in Colorado. These breweries have left with the feeling that the CBG isn't representing the industry adequately (edit: I don't agree or disagree with this point) in order to form another group that they feel will. See the difference?

 

I completely understand why others have now left the brewers guild. I also understand none of this has anything to do with falling rock or OB, for that matter. I also understand the falling rock/OB situation has a lot more behind it than this one thing.
Some missed my point/initial sarcasm that since he said what he did about OB he might have to eat his words or he'd soon run out of beer options. It was a joke.

 

I wonder if we'll start getting Maryland pricing on La Folie and Le Terroir when it shows up in grocery stores, or will they still cost 8 bucks more per bottle here?

 

It sounded more like a misinformed dig.

 

Next time I'll add some emojis so it's more clear.

 

Nah, I got in a run and a shower during all of this.

 

Coors has a say in that, too.

 

In the age of social media, communicating with the consumer/voter is paramount (as is, getting the message across accurately). Sadly, only Kroger et al did that.

And I think this meshes with why those 14 were upset

 

Westword Article is a little misleading. It makes it sound as if 5 breweries started it and the rest joined. They also only list 13 of the breweries. All 14 breweries signed on for the launch and are united in the goal of a more cohesive, effective, and united group to do whats best for Colorado's Independent brewers. (Jonathan Shikes said an edit was on its way)

 

"Starting this year, you have left the Colorado Brewers Guild. This leaves a large hole in the budget of an organization that has helped & fought for your ability to get to where you are today." – Chris Black

I'm not sure if creating a new guild resolves the above point of contention. That's all anyone is saying. And sure, his letter was also about the new venue that creates competition with the accounts that have been their advocate for years and made them lots of money while growing their brand. We all read that part too, but it's not relevant to this conversation. Only the quote above is. Maybe you are the one with blinders on?

 

Psh, who shops at Tipsy's anyway?

 

I'm curious as to the time line of if/when the breweries left in the current brewers guild will be looked at as not being Craft for supporting a group that apparently has been failing in one of their main objectives.
Seems as if this new group has a decent amount of momentum already.

 

Well, the quote isn't really relevant either if it's inserted into a new context.

Black's contention, though, was more than OB leaving the guild. That was just one example of a "non craft brewery" action. I think his main gripe was the new venue and wanted extra ammo for the letter. In my opinion, such letters are never a good idea especially when personal emotions are high.

 

Looking forward to seeing how the new entity does things differently than the old one. Do I misunderstand or was Weist Capitol not the lobbyist for the Guild during the relevant "bad" period that Craft Beer Colorado is moving away from, and is it not the lobbyist Craft Beer Colorado has chosen to grease the ol' legislative wheels as that entity enters into this new golden period of being proactive instead of reactive?

Obviously the problem wasn't the firm hired to manage legislative affairs, it was the organization writing the check to the firm hired to manage legislative affairs. It will all be different now.

The dogs bark, but the caravan (in this case, Weist Capitol) moves on, collecting fees as it goes.

It is hard to believe that all these, I think we can agree, indisputable craft brewers would align in a craft brewers' coalition with a brewer Chris Black has identified as "not a craft brewer" but I am advised by the experts around here that that is an irrelevancy ("that has nothing to do with the situation here" per cfahooligan) so I apologize for even thinking it worthy of comment. Though I see I am not the first who (foolishly, I think we all can agree) thought it both funny and worthy of comment.