I just got home late last night from California and am only now trying to catch up with what accumulated in my absence — including a slew of Twitter replies and direct messages. (*1)
Anyway, thanks to all of you who saw Beer Wars, who commented, who wrote to me, etc. Much appreciated.
The one thing all of the panelists said immediately after the panel ended was “Too bad we didn’t have 90 minutes for that segment. We definitely could have had a good shouting match.” (Which we’d sort of had earlier. No, we don’t all agree. Or, more accurately, I don’t agree with any of the other panelists or with Anat.) (Which, of course, is why I was there: the outsider perspective, because as I keep reminding people: I’m not in the beer industry. I’m a historian who just happened to write a book about beer.)
The film’s producer/director/creator, Anat Baron, hopes her project will provoke some discussion. I hope so, too, although what I hope for is a larger discussion among Americans, not just beer geeks.
The most frustrating aspect of this experience is that, thus far, all the commentary has come out of the beer world and so is focused on the beer industry. But Anat was trying to make a larger point about American society and capitalism. For example, I hope the films sparks discussion about Americans’ attitudes toward alcohol, which to me is the main issue from which all other things flow.
Eg, the original purpose of the 3-tier system was to place barriers between Americans and alcohol. It was not created so that big brewers could screw little ones. Indeed, historically in the past 50 or so years, large and small beermakers have cooperated more than they’ve warred — a point that’s lost on just about everyone in today’s “small” brewing industry. Anyway: onward, onward, onward.
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*1: I tried last night and a day or so ago to wade through the Twitter-mass — but what the fuck was up with Twitter? Was it me? Or was the entire system totally haywire???
Oprah and her minions all joined Twitter the other day (as if it didn’t have enough problems). The end of Twitter is nigh!
BTW, can we look forward to a post encapsulating your thoughts on Beers Wars and your objections? Hope so!
Ha! Never occurred to me to do a recap-from-my-POV. Doh. Yes, I will do that. And seriously, it was Oprah that caused the Twitweirdness? That never crossed my mind either. The system was definitely screwed up. I mean, it was bad enough before, but if Oprah charges in. The Twitter folks definitely need more server power.
Yes a post recap please!And while i wish the panel could have lasted much longer, I was getting quite tired after a long day…Could you please gather everybody and continue it sometime again?thanks, dave
I saw Beer Wars on Thursday, and while you were not always wrong, you apparently don’t understand the mindset of the independent brewer. Granted, the three tier system was not designed to screw over little brewers, but how is that relevant? Whatever it was designed for, it has become a barrier and a disadvantage to anyone who is not one of the big three. As for your condescending comment about “Get back to me in ten years,” do you really think the reason they’re doing this is to become as big as one of the three? If the goal was to sell the most product, you would be right. Consider this: would you consider the best winemaker in the country the one who sold more volume than anyone else? Of course not. I suggest you think before you comment on something you don’t understand.
Well now hold on a second, Edward.Maureen does only profess only to be a historian, and well, “get back to me in ten years” sorta might fit into that…the big brewers did start out small, and while i do not want to defend them [really at all] and i do love Dogfish and Stone, they are getting larger and larger…I agree that i doubt either of them will be as oppressive as the Big three appear to be, your criticisms seem a bit off, it wasn’t’ about “best” at that moment….
I’m hoping the series I’m writing about all of this will answer these questions/comments. And I thank all of you for taking time to comment. Truly. THANKS!Am feeling and am rushed as am still trying to catch up with various other matters after taking five days off.