Toppling Goliath looking in Seattle...?

I agree with you, but think it's also worth pointing out that Fat Heads succeeded in localizing themselves fairly well. The "opening" thread sees locals fretting that this will be a corporate-feeling brewery with the personality of a Rock Bottom or RAM outpost. I think that was a justified worry. As it turned out, the beers were good and fresh, the head brewer created many brews of his own, they contributed to the scene by getting their beers into many taprooms in the area (NWIPA most commonly, but other places too). Essentially, for an outside entity they managed to create a local sensibility, which I think helped its popularity.

Had Fatheads chosen a more Rock Bottom approach things may have been different. Still, Hop Juju is the only one I'll actually miss.

 

Hopefully, I didn't come across the wrong way but I do hope the best for them. It's just that I see mistakes other breweries have made in the past that did cost them a bit. What I have had by Toppling Goliath I have to admit - it's exceptional, IMO! But then again, I was fortunate enough to be able to get everything I ever had directly from Iowa.

And I can see that people out there will give Toppling Goliath a chance and they should - that's the blessing of being able to have as much variety as we do in this day and age. But I hope that quality doesn't suffer.

Also, that's why I put the link for Head Hunter in my last statement - Fat Head's Head Hunter has the numbers to prove what you just said but now they won't be there come when?

Well, you guys are getting the next best thing and that's what people crave, I get it. In turn, I will be optimistic for the PDX and Toppling Goliath.

 

You're right, the brand will be different, but the people involved (ownership, Brewers, most of the staff) and the equipment will remain the same. Other reports have indicated the transition time will be days rather than weeks or months, so probably enough time to paint and remove other FH decor.

If the ownership had decided to maintain the Fat Heads franchise, people would still go there. I think Tim Cook realized he could be successful in that spot (and add another) without needing the Fat Heads brand, so why pay for franchising? I don't think many people actively rejected FH as a brand, it just wasn't adding enough value for the ownership to want to pay extra for it.

 

Yeh.
But honestly i think "Von Ebert" is a terrible name!

 

That's great to hear that people get to keep their jobs! Always bothers me when people get shafted for something they can't control. Sounds like that will be a good transition.

Though I haven't been in Oregon in years, I can totally understand what you mean about how people weren't actively rejecting FH. Similar to me here in Vermont, when Rare Form (NY) and Exhibit A (MA) showed up here, I gave them a chance and honestly, I can admit, they're quality brewers however, I still "wanted" to hold close to a good amount of Vermont brewers. Honestly, when I saw some Crux Fermentation out here, I gave them a chance as well and still do because I'm quite impressed with their beers. I'll even admit that I'll take some CFP beers over "some" other breweries from Vermont, (afraid of mentioning which ones but like any state or region, there's always going to be some breweries that just "rubs ya the wrong way").

What's that saying "the grass is always greener on the other side," hmmmmm...well, if anything, I "try" to be "loyal" to my market but it is hard when some local brewers can't do what's expected of them. Not trying to contradict myself from earlier, but I believe that the rational beer drinker wants quality over quantity.

 

Any recent word on TG?