Reasons for Not Patronizing a Brewery

Bingo - I typically remind myself that not patronizing a brewery because of perceived offenses by the owner also has a negative effect on the staff who work there. IMO, I can continue to support the "maligned" staff by being a pleasant customer and tipping well. However, if I'm not getting good service I will likely go elsewhere. SoCal is blessed with several good local breweries so there is basically zero need to put up with crap service or bad attitude by staff. Luckily, I have only had bad experiences at wineries, and not at the breweries I frequent. ( What is it with winery staff?)

 

9000 US breweries and, other than the pre-craft era brewers* and, interestingly enough, some of the "captured" craft breweries (Anchor & Lagunitas), there are only a handful of organized craft breweries, I'd say it is safe to say that most are, at least, probably subtly anti-union (the "we consider our associates to be family members..." trope) and they only get aggressive when their family-members rebel against Dad and start an organizing campaign.

* Even before most of the mass industries were organized in the 1930s, brewing was one of the few that was recognized as 100% Organized - that was true until Coors busted their independent union (a local of the old Brewery Workers that, like a few others, did not agree to merged into the Teamsters in the 1970s) and then Yuengling did the same in the 2000s.

Don't know what @Providence will reply, but I'd voluntarily recognize a local that has the support of a majority of my employees rather than go through the divisive and often destructive act of forcing an NLRB election.

Not really 50% for either candidate, if one believes statistics like these from Pew Research, which found that only "more than six-in-ten people of voting age and nearly two-thirds of estimated eligible voters" voted. One could safely assume that some of those 40% of non-voters also drink beer.

 

I'm surprised no one has said loud music or music that's not my style. I like to have a conversation when I'm at a brewery, and if I can't converse I'll walk out (which is what I did to a mug club party at one of my favorite breweries two weeks ago). But I'll go back again unless I know a music group is playing.

 

There’s a brewery in NC called ass clown. I refuse to buy their beer because 1, I’ve never heard a soul say a good word about them and 2, they’re called ass clown. I’m petty like that.

 

" Bad business model, offending 50% of your potential customers. I just don't get it."

OK, but denying service to someone because of a specific political lean doesn't exactly tick the "inclusivity" box which I suspect that owner claims to support. I smell a hypocrite at that brewery.

 

That’s exactly why I didn’t mention it. I have been put off by loud music and crazy crowds but not enough to keep me from patronizing in the future.

 

The poster that made that claim did not specify the brewery (or candidate) and the one reply that did named a brewery that doesn't appear to exist but whatever happened I don't think it could be called "denying service".

NO SHIRT - NO SHOES - OPPOSING POLITICAL OPINION - NO SERVICE

But my post wasn't really about the act/event, which I agree is stupid. I am very happy that the majority of bars I visit that to have TV's on are usually showing sports - which I normally hate. (The squeaking of sneakers in basketball. But primarily the screams of the patrons.) But it's better than Fox News or MSNBC or even CNN as far as keeping the place "welcoming". Just pointing out that it's not a really a "50-50" country because of the large "No opinion" percentage.

 

Even CNN? Or Especially CNN?

I agree, I’d rather watch sports.

Cheers.

 

It was not hops, it smelled like male cat spray. The brewery in question was very small and had a general unkemptness to the outside and inside of the building, and the bathroom was nasty.
This brewery moved to a new location, I have had no issues with the new location. I'm not sure if it is still the same ownership or head brewer.

 

How would I feel if my workers were trying to unionize? I would feel that I had failed them. In my experience, if workers are being treated right, they don't try to unionize.

 

Oh, no then - you're not agreeing with me. IF the TV's have to be on, I'd only rather it be sports than those news/opinion channels, preferably with the volume off and, if they have to have some audio, a juke box or canned music playing while I read my magazine or newspaper.

I usually drink in bars between the lunch rush and dinner hours and often am the only customer. If the bartender picks up the remote and asks me what I want to watch, I ask "Do you get that basic cable channel - OFF?"

 

Sounds like typical "Karen" (no offense to women named Karen who aren't total Bs).
Obnoxious patrons is why I rarely drink at bars anymore, uncommon in tap rooms and micro brews, the clientele seems to be more interested in enjoying beer and socializing rather than getting drunk and arguing. Cheers.

 

The difference is that she is the owner of a business. Was even a director of the SBA for a bit.

 

Number 1, above all else is bad service. I can deal with so-so beer with a good vibe and good service. However, the best beer on Earth cannot overcome bad service/bad attitudes.

 

ET NYC would like a word with you..

 

Sorry, don't know what that means*. "Extra-Terrestrial?" "Entertainment Tonight?" (Is that still on the air?) The "NYC" part I do get. I guess it's a brewery? Do they want to talk to me about a marketing position or an inadvertent trademark violation?

*But using only initials for beers or breweries is a different BA "Pet Peeve" forum topic .

 

Whoops lol, Evil Twin NYC. Figured NJ was close enough to know!

 

That pretty much covers my reasons
A brewery's labor issues don't concern me much. When a brewery treats their employees poorly they'll have trouble attracting & retaining talented people which will result in my not buying their -Meh beer

Edit about visiting a brewery: I'm not going to visit your brewery/tap house/pub/whatever if I have to go on Facebook or Instagram to find out what you have on tap tonight