DEBC seeking handout to sue TABC

Do I think it looks good that they are using crowd funding for litigation? No, but they are hardly the first brewery to use it to fund something that benefits the brewery. That being said, at the end of the day no one has to give them money. As long as they're up front about what they're doing with the money I could care less about then asking for it since I'm going to choose to ignore them and keep my money for other unnecessary purchases.

 

Bump...bump...bump...now I have DEBC's attention

As there's just a small part of the problem. I'd have more trust in Satan with my first born than I would anything that comes out of their mouths.

 

I am not a huge fan of their beer, but I will drink it on occasion if its is what is offered/available wherever I am.

I will also say I don't agree with the route they are taking to raise money for their own cause, but I won't give them any money do I also don't really care that they are trying this.

There seems to be plenty of hate for the brewery and the "deepellum douche bags", did they do something particularly offensive that I missed or are some of you just hating on the area and the people there because they fit a stereotype you don't necessarily care for?

I have always considered deep ellum to be a cool and unique part of Dallas and just curious why its generating so much hate.

 

I'm not going to recount all of the history here, but it should be telling that SO MANY people's response has been "Oh Deep Ellum? I'd never support something they were doing."

My experience with them is that they will do something if they see a way that it benefits them, and they will not involve themselves if they don't (the issue of selling distribution rights comes to mind).

They have been unwilling to support law changes if there's not some direct financial benefit for them. They've also been very rude, dismissive and outright aggressive toward people who've challenged them on their actions, in public forums. So I think now thats coming back to bite them in the ass, when they want people to get behind them on this, and trust them that they'll use the $ for what they say they'll use it for.

Personally, I'd rather donate directly to Open the Taps, and would recommend others do the same.

 

I've been sitting here for 5 mins staring at my phone with my finger pointed at the screen and I don't even know where to start. I'll say this, I kind of live in the area (DFW) and while there are some great people here, there is also an abundance of d'bags so it's hard to single out just DEBC's "fan boys".

As far as their business tactics, ownership, and the way they treat customers and people in general leaves a lot to be desired (putting it as politely as possible). If I weren't being polite and without going into specifics because I don't have all day, they treat people like shit, they're arrogant, unapologetic and are shady as hell.

Edit: I know it's not as specific as an answer as your looking for but their history of pissing people off runs deep and I seriously don't have time to explain just a small portion of what I know. There are also other things that I wouldn't want to share in a public Internet forum.

 

They are a business and not a charity. Don't understand why everyone's getting hot under the collar if a brewery is pushing for a change that will benefit all TX breweries and not just them alone. If you dont like the guys at deep ellum, that's a different matter but it seems that people here are mixing the two issues which clearly are two separate issues.

 

You're missing my point. This time they might be doing something that will benefit everyone, but in the past they've opposed things that would have benefited other breweries, for the sake of their own financial gain. You can't expect people to get behind you when you want something, if you weren't there to help them when they needed help.

Just one opinion. I don't like what I've seen of them in terms of how they treat people (and I know a lot more than what's just been seen publicly) and I don't like the way they've sought to put their own financial gain in front of what might benefit brewers and breweries as a whole. If people want to support them, best of luck, and I hope they're successful, but I'll keep sending checks to organizations like Open the Taps, whose focus has ALWAYS been on trying to help all breweries.

 

1.) Even if it's a cause I support, based on their history, they are the last people I would want leading the charge on this. To be blunt, I don't trust them with my money, don't really trust they are actually in it to help other breweries and the consumer, and I don't think they are the ones who should be spear heading this issue.

2.) I'd like to see other more reputable breweries join the cause to make sure everyone is equally represented. If push came to shove they would throw every mf'er under the bus for themselves and probably laugh about it.

3.) I know this is a shitty analogy but just because I may support equal rights doesn't mean I should feel obligated to donate to Al Sharpton. This is just me but giving any money to them in the form of a "donation" is akin to sleeping with the devil.

 

I was the one that used the phrase hipster fanboys. I'm not hating on Deep Ellum itself, @BenOdeski is right - it is a very cool and unique part of Dallas. I love a lot of places that are down there. Pecan Lodge. Angry Dog. Uncle Ubers. Cane Rosso. BrainDead Brewing is also down there I used hipster because when I have actually visited the brewery/taproom that's just about all I see. Probably because it is located in Deep Ellum. Nothing against the hipster vibe - I have plenty of hipster friends. I even have friends that will call me a hipster because I have a beard, an undercut and like my local non-starbucks coffee. Anywhere I go in town and see people order DEBC they act like it's the best thing they've put in their face since the last gauge earring. But hey, everyone has their personal beer taste. Then there are the times where DEBC posts some hate towards some local institution on facebook. The hoards (read: fanboys) come out and cry for the owners' heads of whomever DEBC is attacking. Usually unprovoked. I say fanboys because they love DEBC so much that DEBC can never be in the wrong. And it hasn't just been one time. Seeing things like that rubs me the wrong way. Maybe I coined too broad of a term hipster fanboy?

At any rate, I do see a difference in this and giving money to OTT. I think OTT approaches it in the right way. They understand that the consumer should decide what issues get addressed during the next session, thus the polls where consumers vote on most important issues. They have also been lobbying long enough that they understand that legislators can only tolerate so many beer-related bills before it's too much. OTT is also about spreading awareness and the good word of craft beer. Litigation is never fun and does not spread the good word of craft beer. Litigation can also take YEARS. I understand that the Texas legislative session just ended and we won't see it again until 2017 but this lawsuit could take longer than that. Even if a judgement came by the end of 2015 the state could appeal and appeal and appeal until they're red in the face (get it? it's a red state...) I generally dislike lobbying but it can be effective for small groups who want their voice heard. Yes, there have been successful beer-related lawsuits in the past. But those groups/brewers weren't looking for handouts and to share the financial risk of losing with the consumer.

 

But aren't they asking for charity? As a business? I think that's one of the points of contention here, in addition to their history/reputation.

 

You hit the nail on the head right there for me.

You're a business not a charity - so don't ask me for a f'ing handout.

If your business is viable, or the action that you need cash for is viable, go find a loan.

I get it, you don't want to take a risk with your own hard earned money or assets. I didn't want to take out a loan to buy a house, but no one funded my kickstarter.... and my house doesn't have a cash revenue stream... it's just a money pit.

 

Oh ok, I totally get it now....Why do you care to be so polite if they "treat people like shit" and are "shady as hell"?

You don't have time to explain but you have time to stare at your phone for 5 min?

Is there another thread that explains some of it you can point me to?

 

It might take a lot longer than 5 minutes... And any thread that talks about DEBC says the same stuff.

 

Let' see, do you want me to name the several bar and restaurant owners I know personally who have nothing postiive to say about their customer service? Not gonna happen.

Trust me, you don't want me to air more dirty laundry here. I've said all I'm going to say and I'll leave it at that. If you got the first "clue" I made in my original post then maybe that would make you think twice about calling me out.

Edit: and yes, I don't currently have 5 minutes. Since that seems to bother you, I was at the gym on a stationary bike. It would have taken much more time than that.

 

lol riding a bike inside

 

Your example of using people's money via kickstarter to fund a house for you makes no sense. That house is for you and you alone and not for your neighbors and your community to come and live in your house indefinitely right? Similarly, is DEBC asking for your money to expand their brewery, warehouse or whatever else? No. They're crowd funding a petition that if successful will benefit all brewers in TX.

Why should DEBC alone shoulder the burden of legal costs when there is a benefit to several breweries as well?

It looks like most of you guys have some hang ups with the DEBC crew and no one's really addressing the larger issue on hand which is the law that will enable brewers to sell direct to you.

 

Many people have already addressed this saying take it up privately with other Texas breweries to collectively go after the TABC. No one is saying they should do it alone.

 

I understand what you're trying to say but let me ask you, would you donate money to a company or person for a cause you support even if you had no faith or trust in that person/company? Again, if there were some more reputable breweries involved I'd reconsider.

 

I like Deep Ellum's IPA a lot. I think they do a great job of keeping it fresh and not loading the local market with a ton at one time.

However, I am definitely just a beer drinker, never met any of the owners and I have no connections with the industry. So I am surprised by all the harsh feelings towards the brewery. This appeal for the public to contribute a lawsuit that will benefit their business and not help me at all does seem classless. Maybe some people are stupid enough to contribute. I won't but I still will drink their beer.

 

Well DEBC is not a JK where people all over TX have had a experience in visiting so no comments on how they are or how crappily they treat people. So unless people in the know such as yourself share some of your experiences with the rest of us, I guess we are allowed to give them the benefit of the doubt, surely?