Is Finch's abandoning cans?

AndyHille, very well-written and thanks for your perspective. I'm not really sure where all the hate for Finch (or any other craft brewery for that matter) comes from. If you don't like their products, fine. You don't have to buy them. On the other hand, hoping, actually advocating for a craft brewery's failure for that matter, serves no purpose and is frankly vindictive.

I don't know anyone over at Finch, however these are fellow craft beer drinkers who have staked their finances and are obviously putting all their effort into their dream of creating their own brewery. This isn't only about bragging rights to them. This is their livelihoods and their art. Just like any other art, if you don't care for it then look somewhere else, however the continued existence of the artist has no impact on you so why do you care?

As for the cans, many, many craft breweries have had various problems. I just recently read about Boulevard's problems with the first 3 batches of Chocolate Ale (perhaps that's why the one time I tried it on tap, it was so unenjoyable and then perhaps it's not my cup of tea, or pint of beer in this case).

To be honest, Cut Throat and Golden Wing are not brews that I drink. That being said I can't say that I drink Half Acre Gossamer, FFF Pride and Joy, or Revolution Workingman Mild, either since as a seasoned craft beer drinker for over a decade and a half, I prefer other styles much more. However, if people weren't buying these more accessible styles they wouldn't continue to be brewed.

In the end, I'm not going to question the decisions regarding what styles they are brewing. It's their brewery, they can do as they want. Regardless I'm looking forward to trying the Secret Stache Stout.

I wasn't aware that anyone here was anointed to be the judge of which breweries were "worthy" of existence, and perhaps there are some that should be questioning why they are so hateful and angry.

 

wit1n
1. the talent or quality of using unexpected associations between contrasting or disparate words or ideas to make a clever humorous effect
2. speech or writing showing this quality
People 'liked' and agreed with Lurchingbeast's comment because it was witty, not necessarily because they want Finch's to fail.
I'm pretty sure the majority of users on this site don't actively wish for breweries to fail... But at the same time, many of us have bought inferior products from breweries and told ourselves we wouldn't be purchasing any more.
Sadly, Finch's beer falls into that camp for me-- but I really mean this: good luck with your new beers.

 

From my understanding of Finch's Beer Company, they were started by someone who has more experience in marketing than they do in beer. From my perspective, Finch's is more interested in marketing and selling beer than they are in the beer itself.

From Timeout Magazine:

Finch's is a business who just happens to be in the business of beer. I have no doubt that Finch's beers are developed with the market in mind - not the artistry or skill of the brewer nor for the love of the product, but rather just whatever blend of malts and hops and bird analogies that seems to sell the most product. To me, this isn't "craft" beer, it's just another business trying to sell me something I don't need.

 

Very interesting.... I would like to point out the possibility that though the company started purely from a business tactic stand-point, they must have hired brewers and employees that are passionate about beer.
I mean, Volkswagen was started by the **** party, but all the current employees aren't ****s today.

 

Finch hired Richard Grant who was the assistant brewer under Bryan Shimkos (and maybe before him?) at Flossmoor Station. And having met Richard before, I can assure you that he is extremely passionate about his craft.

However, I had the same misgivings about Finch after reading that article regarding's Finch's owner seeing a market ripe for entry. I really enjoyed Dirtier Bird, and liked Slackjaw Dunkel, but when I can buy Half Acre's canned offerings for the same price as Finch it really is a no brainer for me personally.

However, to echo Alewatcher, I really hope they do well as I believe that a rising tide lifts all boats, and having more craft options isn't a bad thing at all.

Cheers!

 

Godwin's law! I did not expect that.

 

You didn't expect it? The definition of "Godwin's Law" should in fact lead you to expect it!

A quick observation-
Anyone that feels like Finch's is somehow wronging the community because they began as a business venture that was simply interested in making money needs to remember 2 things;
1). ALL new businesses start up with the idea to make profit. Do you really think Goodyear Tires began because the founder was passionate about vulcanized rubber? No, more likey they saw a niche in the market that allowed them an opportunity to make money.
2). If you've ever defended people selling beer on eBay by claiming "this is a free market," "it's the American way," "supply and demand determines value," or "this is a capitalist system," then you should probably think about how to reconcile such contradictory feelings.

As far as it goes, the few Finch's beers I've had left me with the impression that I am better off spending my money elsewhere.... Though it reminds me that I feel bad for good brewers stuck working for buisnessmen that lack passion and vision.

 

I have absolutely no problem with someone starting a brewery as a purely economic venture, however I will say that the circumstances surrounding the birth of a brewery could be construed as an indicator of quality while selling beer on ebay clearly could not.

 

Oh capitalism, blah, blah, blah.
Does Finch's have a right to exist? Yes.
But captialism works both ways. I am under no obligation to buy their beer. And I can feel free to not buy their beer for whatever logical or illogical reason I damn well please. Maybe I don't like birds. Maybe I don't like beer in cans. Maybe I don't like the color yellow. It doesn't matter one bit what reasoning I have for not buying their beer. Capitalism allows me to not buy their beer as much as it allows someone else to buy their beer.
It just seems odd to me that when it comes to BMC, there is a general agreement that their beers are of low quality and are only sold through marketing. It seems no different with Finch's, but for some reason what BMC does is "bad" while what Finch's does isn't because they're a craft beer company.
By the way, the idea that "ALL new businesses start up with the idea to make profit" is absolutely incorrect. There are literally thousands of "not-for-profit" companies that exist for reasons other than the generation of profits.

 

I don't buy Finch's for the same reason I don't buy BMC; I don't find their product to be worth my money.
Now, if Finch's (or BMC) released a beer that I was somehow induced into tasting and it turned out I found it delicious, then I would buy that product. It won't change my views on the other beers made by said company.

As for capitalism;
My eBay comparison was only made in the sense explicitly stated- if anyone defends eBaying with any of those trite remarks I quoted, I see no logical reason for them to oppose Finch's for doing the same thing, namely exploiting a market (or a niche therein) to make a profit.

You can choose to support (or avoid supporting) any company you wish, just as can choose to avoid buying beer on eBay. My point was based entirely on motivations and drawing a parallel between the two.

You're right, there are many not-for-profit companies, but you know full-well that isn't what I meant, and to deliberately confuse the two seems like a logical fallacy. In anycase, my quick observation was not directed at anyone imparticular, and certainly wasn't aimed at you. It was merely a general observation.