
US Craft Beer: The Sky is Falling/No, It’s Not
A staunchly adolescent business category, one that existed in a sort of arrested-development haze for two+ decades, has begun to grow up.
A staunchly adolescent business category, one that existed in a sort of arrested-development haze for two+ decades, has begun to grow up.
Within 20 – 25 years, yes, there will still be guns. But there can also be fewer guns and a significant glimmer of hope for a safer, more rational, more mature culture. And we can do this…one by one.
If we remove the possibility for serendipity, of small miracles that shock us, we take a LOT of the joy out of Life and adventure out of experimentation.
Despite the promises that “nothing will change, other than improved quality,” that is never true. To the contrary, it’s the kiss of death for these brands and companies.
I could easily just wave off all this static but that’s not my function on this planet, for better or for worse, and those with more to lose, of course, have to be more diplomatic…but it’s stuff that SHOULD be said, so I elect me.
“I have to take care of my family!” is cheap and unworthy button-pushing; a greedy person trying to deflect criticism by leaning on the only thing they still have in common with the Average Joe.
If we value Small Businesses, as we all SAY we do in all our drippy Lip Service to Small Business Saturday, then that Saturday really HAS TO be every day.
It is categorically NOT impossible for an American brewery to flourish, expand, and PAY PEOPLE, including the owners, and not sell out to some mega-corp or brewing conglomerate. It is NOT the inevitable end-game of being a successful business.