When "buy local" movement is going too far...

OK then let's say we're both right - unless you can prove to me that all of the profits made by a local brewery or a local store that are headquartered locally are all spent locally.

 

While I wager there is plenty of data that could support this claim, I do not have it. So I definitely can not prove it at this time.

 

I'm not even sure why this is always such a controversial topic. We all tune out ad slogans we don't care about all the time. Why not this one? How are you "being pushed"?

 

To your point - I do know that there are breweries [SN to be specific] that brew beers with all local or estate grown raw ingredients and there are probably more. But the bottom line is - unless the building materials for the store or brewery, the brewing equipment, the raw material ingredients, the packaging materials, you get the idea - are all made locally, money is going elsewhere. And oh yeah, how about the financing for the operation. In the case of the Mom and Pop store or the small local brewery, is the bank that lent the brewer money local or a big national bank? I know I'm being picayune, but that's the reality. "Local" isn't necessarily 100% local.

 

Completely agree. I don't expect local to ever really be "100% local," but even striving for 50% will make a positive impact on the community.

 

I support local products of all kinds (beer, wine, etc) and the main reason being for pride. Given a choice for example between a truly superior IPA from outside the region and a very solid version brewed minutes from my doorstep, for me there’s definitely a place for both. Besides the fact that the local option is probably fresher (and a “greener” product for sure) and purchasing it helps the local economy, again there’s a certain pride that I take in saying “we can do this” and well. I’m not going to deny myself a great beer just because it isn’t brewed locally either. But I will go out of my way to support local brewers.

 

While it's impressive how much you know about what's "believed" by the supporters of "buying local", I think you might find if you actually asked people (heck, or even read the posts here) that everyone knows that very few things are 100% local.

Yet me buying a beer brewed a few miles down the street is certainly more "local" and more supporting of said "local" economy than me buying a beer from a CA brewery that's been shipped in.

But more to the point, you have yet to explain why it's such an issue for other people to do what they want with their money. If some BAs are proud to support their "mostly local" breweries, and promote that pride, what is it to you?

Unless you just wanted something to complain about...

 

I drink local...But I drink a hell of a lot of non-local.

 

I buy beer primarily based off of 2 factors quality and price. If two options are very similar in quality and price and one is produced locally and one is not, I will use locality as a "tiebreaker". With a strong craft brewing scene in mass and new england (Jacks Abby, Berkshire, Smuttynose, ect) I find that many of my best options for price and quality are local breweries. This is also why I rarely buy foreign beers.

I'm not gonna stop buying things from Sierra Nevada, Lagunitas, Founders, ect, they offer awesome beers at fair prices.

 

I'm fortunate enough to be able to drink this fresh, living 20 miles from the brewery, which is something that most people aren't fortunate enough to experience. It would be my go-to beer whether it was local

 

Would be nice to see more restaurants with some locals on tap. I usually feel more adventurous (and less thrifty) when eating out. Keep the Bud Light in bottles for those customers with un waiver-able tastes.

 

I am sure glad I have developed the skill of ignoring things.

 

It's cause you live in AZ. With some pretty decent distribution (CA,CO, and Bells) the breweries in those states are by far superior to anything coming out of AZ...I used to live there, I know what you mean.

 

Aren't there some small brewpubs or anything around Phoenix?

 

High Point: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/607

That is your mission in 2013, to seek them out Mr. Porkhustle.

 

Cool, thanks. I'll be in South Orange in the coming week so I'll be looking at for these brands you guys mention. I'm particularly intrigued by Cricket Hill, because I really appreciate great beers at lower ABV points - and I now learned they are available in NY on draft/growler. Ramstein is actually one NJ brewery I have some experience with, well just a bit, as I put back a few growlers of their Maibock last spring. Will definitely keep my eyes peeled, as I love German styles. Thanks again

 

Visit High Point, it's just a half an hour from the Lincoln Tunnel. They have a great tour by great people. Also the Ship Inn in Milford, NJ is a great place. Cricket Hill can be pretty meh- but a great place to visit.

 

Ha! Thanks for the tip on CH, I was intrigued by their website and brews. Do you dislike because you're into big beers, or because you don't think they are good brewers?