Brewery: "We do not serve fascists."

Discussion in 'Beer Talk' started by CraftFan5, Nov 5, 2020.

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  1. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Good evening, Beer Advocate.

    I apologize in advance if this post breaks any of your rules, and I understand if this needs to be taken down.

    One of my favorite (relatively) local breweries, The Referend Bier Blendery in Pennington, NJ, posted the following to Instagram yesterday:

    "Whatever the outcome, tens of millions of Americans have yet again formally shown their preference for open fascism, racism, white supremacy.

    For all others, we’ll have Lawn Times all week, Wednesday-Sunday from 12-5PM. We’ll bask in the beautiful late season weather and a mutual respect for all humanity. We do not serve fascists."

    Considering how tremendous I think their beer is, I felt it my duty to confirm with them if they meant that Trump voters were, indeed, not invited to the brewery. After dodging some internet trolls, I very kindly described my reasons for voting for him (no, I'm not ashamed) despite not liking him nor asking anyone else to like him. I then asked again if 67 million Americans (now up to 69 million) were truly not invited. Not only was this confirmed, but I was ridiculed, canceled, even.

    This treatment was then extended to other individuals who chose to chime in, including at least one anti-Trump Democrat who was disgusted by the brewer's lack of class, and another person of color whom the brewer implied was a "white" supremacist.

    I am not here to call for any boycotts; I very much support a private business's right to deny service to any individual for any reason. I merely want to publicize this despicable behavior so consumers can be armed with the information needed to make their own decisions.

    Side note: Another of my favorite (relatively) local breweries, Muckraker Beermaker in Franklin, NJ, was one of the first to comment to the thread with an "Amen brother <3 <3 <3 <3" - so I'm looking at you too.

    I bid all you humans of class a pleasant evening.
     
    #1 CraftFan5, Nov 5, 2020
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  2. bret27

    bret27 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,064) Mar 10, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    It’s certainly not the best strategy for making money, but maybe they have higher values.
     
    #2 bret27, Nov 6, 2020
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  3. Samlover55

    Samlover55 Pooh-Bah (1,735) Oct 8, 2015 New York
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Wow! What happened to the agree to disagree concept?

    I definitely would not want to be treated that way for I choice I have the privilege (here in free America) to choose.
     
    #3 Samlover55, Nov 6, 2020
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  4. ecpho

    ecpho Savant (1,183) Mar 28, 2011 New York

    I mean it is pretty telling that he still received millions of votes after the despicable behavior the last 4 years - republicans have no problem with his racism.
     
    #4 ecpho, Nov 6, 2020
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  5. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    So, you are against the Civil Rights Act of 1964? But if you support a business's "right to deny service" regardless of Federal law, then why did you title the thread "Brewery Denies Service"?
    Is this literal? You have to be "invited" to this brewery? You can't just show up and be served? Many decades ago I would be "proofed" before entering a bar or buying at a liquor store (Hell, Wegmans still does it) but my driver's license was good enough - they never asked me to see my Red Card or anything. I got a "I VOTED" sticker AND a postcard from the county thanking me for voting, but neither mention for whom.

    :thinking_face: You seem to hold a brewery to higher standards than the President of the United States...
     
    #5 jesskidden, Nov 6, 2020
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  6. Todd

    Todd Founder (13,518) Aug 23, 1996 Finland
    STAFF Mod Team Society Pooh-Bah

    Updated your misleading title as it read as if they've already denied service, when there's no such proof of this; yet.

    And here's the full text from the referenced Instagram post:
     
    #6 Todd, Nov 6, 2020
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  7. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    My apologies, not for any reason. I shall rephrase: I do not believe that I, as a private citizen, have a right to demand service from a private business, and I respect a private business's desire to not provide me service. Nevertheless, I find the behavior despicable.

    Perhaps "invited" is the wrong word; I was trying to be kind. Clearly, however, we are uninvited.

    Finally, the President of the United States is not a private business available for my patronage, so that is not an apples-to-apples comparison.
     
    #7 CraftFan5, Nov 6, 2020
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  8. Trull

    Trull Pooh-Bah (1,843) Dec 24, 2016 Massachusetts
    Society Pooh-Bah

    There are plenty of other breweries out there that don’t discriminate based on political affiliation. I’d take my business elsewhere and not look back.
     
    #8 Trull, Nov 6, 2020
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  9. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Indeed, that is the full post. And indeed, service has not already been denied.

    Since it was not 100% clear, I wanted the brewer to confirm that Trump voters were not welcome, and it seemed that this was indeed the case.

    If I were a private business I would not want to serve fascists either, but equating those who disagree with you politically with fascists is precisely one of the main reasons 69 million people voted for Mr. Trump.

    Again, I am not advocating any kind of boycott; I am merely sharing the information with anyone who may be interested.

    Thank you @Todd for changing the title of the post and not taking it down. Whether we agree or not, I think it's important to see where the discussion takes us.
     
    #9 CraftFan5, Nov 6, 2020
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  10. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Again, I am not trying to organize a boycott, merely relaying information.
     
    #10 CraftFan5, Nov 6, 2020
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  11. GetMeAnIPA

    GetMeAnIPA Pooh-Bah (2,559) Mar 28, 2009 California
    Pooh-Bah

    100%!! That is the problem today. People can’t have a difference opinion.
     
    #11 GetMeAnIPA, Nov 6, 2020
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  12. gegan

    gegan Aspirant (268) Mar 29, 2016 Washington
    Trader

    I would counter that reducing the choice of Trump vs Biden to a mere "political disagreement" is a vast and dangerous oversimplification. Political disagreements arise from fact-based, good-faith arguments over how best to govern. The case for or against Donald Trump is as rooted in morality as it is in politics, and goes far beyond some esoteric questions of tax policy..
     
    #12 gegan, Nov 6, 2020
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  13. adrock314

    adrock314 Pooh-Bah (1,963) Apr 14, 2006 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    The “F**k your feelings” crowd sure does get offended easily
     
    #13 adrock314, Nov 6, 2020
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  14. mrmattosgood

    mrmattosgood Maven (1,301) Nov 6, 2010 Canada (BC)

    Business is business and money is important to keep our business alive. That being said, totally cool with losing a few bucks of bottom line so as to keep racists, fascists, Trump apologists, white supremacists, and gun “enthusiasts” that are totally cool with weapons that spray bullets into first grade classrooms out of my brewery.

    In the end, I’d feel like I’d get more visitors from the other side of the aisle if they noticed less No More Bullshit flags in my parking lot.
     
    #14 mrmattosgood, Nov 6, 2020
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  15. BBThunderbolt

    BBThunderbolt Grand High Pooh-Bah (7,846) Sep 24, 2007 Kiribati
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    How would they know ones political leanings? Do you have to pass a test in order to get a beer? If someone is proud to be a Proud Boy, why would they want to support a business owned by P.C *******s?
     
    #15 BBThunderbolt, Nov 6, 2020
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  16. nc41

    nc41 Initiate (0) Sep 25, 2008 North Carolina
    Trader

    So half of the voters in America are fascist? How I vote is not his concern, and he just potentially eliminated half his business. A really smart business decision right there, the only problem here is him, and I wouldn't spend a penny there. If the situation was reversed and liberals were being excluded as commies, and we’re not welcome I’d feel the same way, so he can stuff it. You can be Republican and not be a ****, you can be a Democrat and not be a communist. So stupid in a word full of competition and choices to label anyone.
     
    #16 nc41, Nov 6, 2020
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  17. jesskidden

    jesskidden Grand Pooh-Bah (3,145) Aug 10, 2005 New Jersey
    Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It got drowned out by the "LOCK HER UP" chant.

    Probably not all of them - but they just voted for one.

    (It's also not half, "just" 47.8% :grin:- at this time).
     
    #17 jesskidden, Nov 6, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2020
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  18. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I wasn't at all offended. Again, merely relaying information.
     
    #18 CraftFan5, Nov 6, 2020
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  19. DIM

    DIM Grand Pooh-Bah (4,788) Sep 28, 2006 Pennsylvania
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    It just isn't that simple anymore. Romney, McCain, Dubya, voters don't terrify me.
     
    #19 DIM, Nov 6, 2020
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  20. CraftFan5

    CraftFan5 Pooh-Bah (2,264) May 14, 2013 New Jersey
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    I agree completely. I would consider the behavior equally despicable if the sides were reversed.
     
    #20 CraftFan5, Nov 6, 2020
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