Boycotting Is a Slippery Slope

No they don't. You're right about that.

 

I’m not trying to absolve breweries of their responsibility - who you choose to do business with should and does have an impact on your business’ image.
I’m just saying breweries often have no idea that they are getting into bed with someone who is going to do shady shit. There may be rumors, but unless you have years experience working at a distributor or managing a large bar, the first time you are going to see this is when it comes back to you. By then it’s too late. It’s not like these guys are advertising, “we practice pay-to-play” on their websites.

And it’s not just a little difficult to get out of a contract; it’s damn near impossible. If your brand is valuable, it WILL cost you millions, and will likely go to court. For small breweries without that coin lying around, it’s effectively for life.

The sales team that works FOR the brewery are less salespeople and more ‘brand ambassadors’ or ‘account maintenance’ guys. They organize and attend events, they run emergency kegs out, they bring new beers around to taste, they work with the brewery’s inventory guy to manage supply and demand flow. And they are usually hourly or salary.

The hard selling is, and always has been done on the distributor level. You don’t work for a fun, quirky brewery. You work in a corporate structured company, with lots of long hours, high turnover, and too many A-type personalities.
You are graded on new placements, account growth, KPIs, etc. and these directly affect your pay because you WILL be commission.

With commission comes shady shit. This isn’t limited to beer sales. I’ve heard stories from my friends in medical about pharmaceutical salespeople offering vacations and golf outings to physicians who get the most new placements...of pills. As in who writes the most new scripts for whatever new legal poison these guys are hocking. It’s insane!

 

And it goes without saying, not ALL distributors or their salespeople are guilty of this. Probably not even most of them. And it is definitely worse in some areas of the country than others.

But it’s human nature that when your money is on the line, people will do whatever they have to for an edge. It’s why MLB players are STILL getting busted for roids. “If you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.”

This is why I have a deep contempt for commission, and by an extension, tipping (that’s not controversial is it?). At best, it’s a way for a manager to avoid their responsibility by making metrics and customers evaluate the quality of their employees. At worst, it encourages unethical and illegal activity.

 

I like the cut of your jib.

 

Interesting. Thanks! I was unaware of these events. Not being a lawyer nor a brewery owner, I'll let others provide an intelligent analysis. Cheers!

 

I noticed Michelob Ultra adds on the site today. Not trying to call you out at all, just curious if you've changed your stance (which you obviously have every right to), or if site banner ad content is out of your direct control.

 

Thank you that explains the ads I've been getting for doll houses!