Three Tier System Gone Wrong

It's just business. The people in Georgia need to let their legislators know they want the laws changed.

 

This seems like a failure of the terrible ownership at Quality Wine and Spirits more than a failure of the three tier system.

Quality isn't operating in good faith, and I have a feeling if Clown Shoes wanted to pursue legal action (and the cost that comes with it), they would have a good chance of being successful.

 

As much as I hate to say it this sounds like something for the lawyers to resolve. It almost sounds like if the guy I contract for the season to cut my lawn decides to get out of the mowing business but feels he can sell the "rights" to another landscaping operation with me having no input.

 

Is that the fault of the three tier system, or is that the fault of the contract that was signed between the two parties? I have no clue, but if they chose to sign a contract with such a clause, they only have themselves to blame.

 

Georgia law and the three tier system largely protects the wholesalers. We will have to go to court if Quality refuse to let us free, but our contract should help when/if we get to that point, as they are required to demonstrate a reasonable effort to develop and sell our brand.

 

Thank you for the explanation, that makes sense. Good luck to you guys, I'm certainly rooting for you!

 

Best of luck to you. A few shops in the Macon area had made me aware of this situation, which was pretty surprising because your products are widely available here. Hope to see you back on the shelves and on tap soon.

 

I will never buy another product distributed by "Quality".

 

This developed quickly. We only heard about this on September 8th. Product was last shipped to GA about two months ago.

 

I'm curious what other beers Quality distributed and if they pulled the same thing with them?

 

Ours was the largest of four small brands. Not sure where the other folks are at.

On a separate note: Nice handle. Be on the lookout one day for a beer called Evil Crawfish.

 

I'm an attorney and, although I don't know Georgia contracts law or the terms of Clown Shoes' contract with Quality, it sounds like they may have a cause of action for breach of contract. There are obviously a lot of variables, and I only have the one side of the story (Clown Shoes' side, as posted on their blog).

In any case, this is pretty sad for both Clown Shoes and Georgia BAs.

 

Thanks. I'll have to keep an eye out for that one though I wish you guys distributed in Missouri! What style will it be?

 

The link has been removed from their site, but the page is still up: http://www.qwine.com/craftbeerlinks.htm#beer

If you don't want to click through, Quality carried the following brands: Brash, Carolina Brewery, Chattanooga, Clown Shoes, Ipswich, Nimbus, Red Rock, Sprecher (including sodas), White Birch, Brasserie Almaza, Birra Menabrea, Jack's Hard Cider and Foggy Ridge Hard Cider

 

nice google-fu.

so nothing crazy on the list. Seems like Quality was purchased by another company last year. bummer for clownshoes since their stuff was generally easily available in GA.

 

@ClownShoesDreams Will Clown Shoes beers still be available at Total Wine & More stores in Georgia (assuming that you guys are still a part of their Brewery Direct program)?

 

No. But Quality reached out. We are in the process of discussing options. Hopefully there will be a happy ending here.