I think about this just about every time a new brewery pops up on the map here in NY. We try to visit all of the locals and buy some beer and give support and rate which company is making good beer.
That said, we have been to a lot of small breweries that have opened up in the past few years that I feel won't be open for long. Many of the beers being sold are sub par and many in my opinion, should not be sold. When I spend a few dollars on a beer I (maybe foolishly) expect it to be good. I can get a bottle of Sams or Saranac and be happy with it (for what they are) for less than 2$ a bottle. But most of the time I visit a small brewery its like paying for full priced sub-par home brew. On top of it I like to ask questions and when a brewer has misinformation or knows relatively little about the brewing process it is more than a little disappointing. Not that I am a know it all or I make amazing beer (I don't) but that I would love to see people with skill and expertise make my local beer and most of the time its not happening.
So is this from difficulty of scaling up to a few barrel system and trial ad error? Or is it from difficulty of obtaining quality ingredients? Or are these home brewers jumping into the business head first without experience, qualified brew masters, good recipes, etc?
I tend to get into this rant when someone tries my beer and the inevitable question is asked: "do you plan to open up your own brewery?" so I have to say no, I don't make beer good enough to be sold commercially yet and besides, the market is saturated with small breweries not making good beer. Why add it to it?
Anyway I just wanted to share a discussion with everyone and see what they think and see what its like in other states/areas.
That said, we have been to a lot of small breweries that have opened up in the past few years that I feel won't be open for long. Many of the beers being sold are sub par and many in my opinion, should not be sold. When I spend a few dollars on a beer I (maybe foolishly) expect it to be good. I can get a bottle of Sams or Saranac and be happy with it (for what they are) for less than 2$ a bottle. But most of the time I visit a small brewery its like paying for full priced sub-par home brew. On top of it I like to ask questions and when a brewer has misinformation or knows relatively little about the brewing process it is more than a little disappointing. Not that I am a know it all or I make amazing beer (I don't) but that I would love to see people with skill and expertise make my local beer and most of the time its not happening.
So is this from difficulty of scaling up to a few barrel system and trial ad error? Or is it from difficulty of obtaining quality ingredients? Or are these home brewers jumping into the business head first without experience, qualified brew masters, good recipes, etc?
I tend to get into this rant when someone tries my beer and the inevitable question is asked: "do you plan to open up your own brewery?" so I have to say no, I don't make beer good enough to be sold commercially yet and besides, the market is saturated with small breweries not making good beer. Why add it to it?
Anyway I just wanted to share a discussion with everyone and see what they think and see what its like in other states/areas.