Blank Slate Brewing Company was one of our local breweries
here in Cincinnati. For five years they were able to produce solid well-crafted
beers and then one day, poof! They were gone. How does this happen? A brewery
that makes well tasting and solid beers is one that many would think would be
around for a long time. There are many breweries that make beer that is only
half decent at best, and yet they have been around for decades. How could this
happen? Well the simple answer may just be that we often take good beer for
granted.
Currently across America, we have over 5,300 breweries that are
now in operation and I believe the true number may be closer to now being about
5,500. Think about that number…5,500. This includes Brewpubs, Microbreweries,
Regional Breweries and of course, the big boy macros. In 1981, there were 40 breweries
operating…across the country. That is some massive growth my friends and at
some point, some of the smaller ones are almost in a spot to inevitably face an
uphill battle due to the large amount of choice now across the beer landscape.
When Blank Slate closed its doors, so many couldn’t believe
it that its owner, Scott LaFollette, even released a statement to end any
speculation which had begun to swirl. His response was very simple, yet
telling.
“The
reason for our closure is pretty simple. We ran out of money. There is no big
conspiracy, no secret takeover, no legal troubles or personal issues. We simply
don’t have enough cash to keep going.”
Simple and effective, to the point and addresses what may be
one of the biggest obstacles for smaller breweries to face, cash flow. Without
this, breweries cannot do all that is needed to keep things sustained for some.
This is just basic economics, so how do we avoid this for the breweries that we
love and appreciate? Here are a few of my thoughts:
·
Show and Maintain Support – We have to show up
for these breweries and keep on showing up, we can never assume they are good
enough to just make it.
· Respect The Breweries – We need to be conscious
to do the things that respect the brewery and avoid those that don’t. For
example, not taking beer glasses that cost the breweries to replenish their stock.
There is nothing wrong from buying them and they will appreciate it.
·
Spread The Word – Get others excited about the
breweries by sharing their story and encouraging others to check the brewery
out. One of the great things about the craft beer community has been a sense of
just that, community. We can always do more of this. Also, ask stores if they
are carrying the beer of breweries that you like. The more they hear it then
the higher the chance of the brewery being distributed if they are set up to do
so.
Craft beer has become a highly
competitive marketplace and not paying attention to one of your favorite
breweries may lead to them possibly disappearing, so make sure you wave that
flag of the brewery you love. Not doing so and being silent may end with you
being compliant in their disappearance. Now go Get Your Beer On and show that brewery
some love!
Cheers!
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