Emerging microbrewery trend

[BrewKnurd]

I suppose it all boils down feeling as if few still believe in the American dream.

So many "entitled" youth have no idea what it means to work their way up in life. I see it as degradation of the core beliefs and founding of the US.

So because 2 breweries were founded by young people who you know to be founded by their daddies, the majority of the other 300 million people no longer believe in the American dream? Got it.

Even if we assume the other half dozen that you read about were also funded by their daddies... that's still a very small sample size on which to assess the state of the american dream.

I'll also point out that your suggestion that people ought "bust your a$$ working a crap job as a corporate drone for several years" is more consistent with the American dream is interesting. Don't remember crap jobs as a corporate drone being part of anyone's dream.

 

[ghosthef]

I dot know about the rest of you...but I need a nice pint of homebrew....



Cheers!

 

[StressedPenguin]

I suppose it all boils down feeling as if few still believe in the American dream.

So many "entitled" youth have no idea what it means to work their way up in life. I see it as degradation of the core beliefs and founding of the US.

... and I GET this. I agree, even as a younger person on your scale, that a lot of the youth today can be greedy little, uh, dudes. But I would just ask you be careful ASSUMING that all those young people who get help don't deserve it and their parents are being irresponsible in helping. If my father had money to help me in a business venture when I was 22 you bet he would have loaned it to me. But that wouldn't make me a bad person, just lucky enough to have a parent with disposable funds.

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

I know these are your opinions and are most likely held as a result of experiences, so I have little chance of changing your mind just by typing something out on the internet. I wholeheartedly agree with point one, that it can make you stronger in many aspects. Instead of trying to change your mind just typing something on the internet, let me put it another way.

Is the strength you are referring to a result of the experience of starting from scratch or is it possible that it is already inherent in a person, ie what would happen to someone who would have succeeded from scratch if they were given a financial hand? I would submit that they would be just as successful, or even more so, because the strength of heart and commitment necessary was already in the person.

For point two, are you saying it isn't possible for someone to be raised by their parents or family friend with a knowledge on brewing before it may be necessarily legal for them to drink? You don't have to use your OWN recipes, but instead build off of others' work. If my (future) son decided to open a brewery and make some beer I came up with I would be honored.

Again, I know your beliefs are strong. I just want to put it less confrontational than I did before because frankly I came off as a ****.

No worries, you didn't come off as an ass. You are speaking to one who is commonly referred to by others as an A-hole due to my willingness to express my beliefs. I proudly display my a-hole badge and it is very difficult to hurt any feelings here.

I believe that true success is in fact inherent. However, in this equal opportunity world everyone is a winner! Throw a little cash at any moderately intelligent child and they too can make it. When they screw up, throw a little more money at them and make it all better. This is no solution.

Yes, it is possible that they were taught at a young age. With so many of these breweries popping up everywhere, I doubt this is the case for many.

 

[MalFet]

There's a great passage in one of the Socratic dialogues about how the youth of the day loved luxury but spurned work.

If you resent the rising generation, take comfort in the fact that cranky old men have been despising teenagers for at least two and a half millennia!

 

[Keith66]

I see financial backing as an investment, whether it's from Bank of America or Bank of Dad. Some of our judgment or criticism should be aimed at the parents, not just the kids. If dad throws money at a bad investment, shame on him. Dad's money can't make a business work if the kid's a slacker, regardless of his age. If dad puts money into a good investment, an investment that he raised with certain values, and if he thinks that investment can survive at a relatively young age, that's his gamble. And he probably wont fund a second chance if the first one fails.

Another thought... if a "kid" starts a brewery and makes decent beer, decent enough for people to pay for it and keep the doors open, he has the perfect opportunity and lots of time to experiment, gain feedback from his patrons, build his experience, and improve his beer. A non-pro can't gain experience as fast as someone brewing at a commercial pace with hundreds of tasters.

StressedPenguin, I think you should open a brewery in northern California, close to where I live. You sound like one of the sharper tools in the shed, especially at 27. You also sounds like you may be military: "I turned 27 less than a month ago, and I promise I have done and seen more of this world than 90 percent of America will in their entire lives." Good on ya'!

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

I'll also point out that your suggestion that people ought "bust your a$$ working a crap job as a corporate drone for several years" is more consistent with the American dream is interesting. Don't remember crap jobs as a corporate drone being part of anyone's dream.

Suffering doing something that you don't want to do is where the american dream begins my friend.

Sometimes you gotta be a corporate drone to raise seed money before going on your own. Well that's at least how it use to be.

 

[OrdinaryAvgGuy]

Well guys, its been a great convo but its time for me to crack open a home brew and get this long weekend started. I'll be back to participate next Monday if this thread is still living.

 

[Keith66]

Suffering doing something that you don't want to do is where the american dream begins my friend.

For some yes. That's also where it dead ends for many. For those with a sharp mind and lots of drive, and often a unique opportunity (like funding), it begins with an idea that's different from everybody else's, something that you're passionate about, and working hard to sell it. Take Col. Sanders selling chicken in a box on a Kentucky street corner for example, or Henry Ford, or Steve Jobs, or Colin Powell. From talking with the successful entrepreneurs I've known, working hard at your passion does not equal suffering.

Sometimes you gotta be a corporate drone to raise seed money before going on your own. Well that's at least how it use to be.

Sometimes yes. But the Fastest Swimmer Club has had a thriving membership since the beginning of time.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Suffering doing something that you don't want to do is where the american dream begins my friend.

Sometimes you gotta be a corporate drone to raise seed money before going on your own. Well that's at least how it use to be.

That is a very sad interpretation of the American dream.

The idea that hard work will allow you to succeed is a noble one. The idea that suffering is a necessary part of that is bizarre, imo.

 

[rpe290]

OP, this is to help you out, it is unhealthy to have such a envious view of this (and in honesty, its obvious by your words and argument). Just come to accept that this happens now, HAS happened since the beginning of time, and will continue to happen. Some kids have a silver spoon and a great work ethic and drive and some blow it all, it should make NO difference to your life, but it really must for you to post so vehemently about it.

A piece of wisdom I feel I have learned as I have gotten older that has changed my outlook is to NOT assume I know what the "real" story is (as you have assumed in many of these cases)--Sure, I can get a generic impression, as you did, but I would absolutely NOT let it bother me until I know the true story behind something. Unless you really know someone, it is impossible to assume their background.

You never know who is a truly talented/motivated individual until you know them.

This thinking will increase your happiness OP, here is a good quote I have seen somewhere before (paraphrased):

"How happy can a person be if they feel the need to attack others for their choices?"

Good luck

 

[Spintab]

So just to be sure, I'll be 33 in September, I've been brewing all grain for four years, have a goatee, and my beer is really good. I'm safe right, cause I'm working on a business plan.

 

[ghosthef]

So just to be sure, I'll be 33 in September, I've been brewing all grain for four years, have a goatee, and my beer is really good. I'm safe right, cause I'm working on a business plan.

Yes...you are in the clear! Now go drink a beer!

 

[mattd2]

I suppose it all boils down feeling as if few still believe in the American dream.

So many "entitled" youth have no idea what it means to work their way up in life. I see it as degradation of the core beliefs and founding of the US.

I see this from both sides and just don't agree with you generalisation and that you are always 95% correct.
These "guys" fall into 2 catagories really:
The succedors = have the will, passion and drive to make a business a success. And all they need is the backing, luckly for them their parents are loaded. I would expect these people to also view it as a loan and not free money.
The party-boys = do not have the drive for success but do it because they can since daddy is stumping up the cash. They will fail because really all they are interested in is living the high life with their parents money. The parents are most likely just happy to have the kid doing something. I would expect these people to also view it as just free money.

I know I made generalisations there but at least I'm not saying all rich kids are in the second group.

If they have the chance to borrow money from family why should they pay business financing interest on the capital they raise, all this does is reduce the chance of them succending.

 

[mattd2]

So just to be sure, I'll be 33 in September, I've been brewing all grain for four years, have a goatee, and my beer is really good. I'm safe right, cause I'm working on a business plan.

Yes...you are in the clear! Now go drink a beer!

Wait! you forgot to check on the college degree,
Spintab - Have you ever graduated college with a useless degree? If you have sorry, but you will fail... 95% of the time.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Wait! you forgot to check on the college degree,
Spintab - Have you ever graduated college with a useless degree? If you have sorry, but you will fail... 95% of the time.

He also did not cover if daddy was giving him any money!

 

[temple240]

First, how good can your beer possibly be? You are 22-23 years old, fresh out of college and likely have not graduated from a Mr. Beer kit.

I'm 24 and I make some delicious beers. I'm not a pro brewer but I've never owned a Mr. Beer kit either. Young people can follow recipes as well as old people. If it takes you 30-40 years to make good beer you've already failed.

I can understand the entitlement rant and often feel the same way but leave my beer out of it!

 

[Keith66]

So just to be sure, I'll be 33 in September, I've been brewing all grain for four years, have a goatee, and my beer is really good. I'm safe right, cause I'm working on a business plan.

Not if you gauge your ears or have piercings. The goatee is okay though.

 

[Keith66]

I'm 24 and I make some delicious beers. I'm not a pro brewer but I've never owned a Mr. Beer kit either.

I can understand the entitlement rant and often feel the same way but leave my beer out of it!

Your beers may be delicious now, but they couldn't have been last year... too young and not enough experience.

 

[ghosthef]

I'm 40...put myself through college (both my undergrad and masters)...love brewing...so I'm doomed to fail I guess. Dammit...better start buying lottery tickets again....

 

[ghosthef]

Oh wait...but I don't look 40 and I am super immature...so I may just have a chance!

 

[Spintab]

Hah, ok phew. My audio degree was useful until I had kids. Now I'm the only programmer in the office without one and I'm doing quite fine. Funding will come from Kickstarter, private fundraising parties, and investors with the intention of paying every cent back even if it takes 20 years.

I'm not really concerned, just playing along. I do understand where the OP is coming from but he/she should own up to being envious of the whipper snappers. Having kids and having been through a fair number of trials and tribulations, I understand work ethic and doing things little by little. It would bug me to see some spoiled kid get a huge check and brew like 10 hours a week and still make it, only because I'd be envious. I will have to go the slow deliberate route and continue working my day job to even begin to think a brewery will happen.

 

[ghosthef]

Comes down to how you were raised IMO. When i wanted money...my dad told me to get a job. When it was tax time...had to do my own taxes. Use to be upset about it but nowadays...I want something bad enough...I roll up my sleeves and get to work.

 

[Spintab]

Not if you gauge your ears or have piercings. The goatee is okay though.

Crap, I've had the tops of my ears pierced for 15 years. It confuses the hell out of people in cubicle land, lol. Honestly, I'd have trouble trusting a brewer under 40 without at least a tattoo.

 

[mattd2]

He also did not cover if daddy was giving him any money!

OK amendment, if your dad is not investing any money you will be a roaring success

 

[mattd2]

Crap, I've had the tops of my ears pierced for 15 years. It confuses the hell out of people in cubicle land, lol. Honestly, I'd have trouble trusting a brewer under 40 without at least a tattoo.

Ok now I have no idea where you stand... maybe your success will be determined by your business plan, dedication and a little bit of luck.

 

[BrewKnurd]

Ok now I have no idea where you stand... maybe your success will be determined by your business plan, dedication and a little bit of luck.

Well that's not the American dream. Where's the suffering as a corporate drone?

 

[Demon]

I believe that true success is in fact inherent. However, in this equal opportunity world everyone is a winner! Throw a little cash at any moderately intelligent child and they too can make it. When they screw up, throw a little more money at them and make it all better. This is no solution.

I now see that you just don't like people with money. What is wrong with money + moderate intelligence? Nothing, other than that they probably got an opportunity that you did not. That moderately intelligent child can develop into an outstanding business owner with the right support. Just because you feel like you are earning your supposed "American dream", doesn't mean that anyone else's path to the same dream is less valid.

Taking your logic, any child who's parents pay for them to go to college is entitled, right? The parents are making an investment into their kid's future. No different from helping them start a business.

 

[Gitmoe]

Crap, I've had the tops of my ears pierced for 15 years. It confuses the hell out of people in cubicle land, lol. Honestly, I'd have trouble trusting a brewer under 40 without at least a tattoo.

What about a good solid beard? I don't have any tattoos. But a burly beard... I'm covered.

Talked to my father in law last night. He's gonna give me a bunch of money to start a brewery... Hurray, I didn't even have to work hard for it like I had to work for my house, nice car, fancy toys, and expensive hobbies. Now I can quit both my jobs I've been working to get by and just brew without a care in the world...

 

[bknifefight]

Oh God...I just realized that I am turning 31 at the end of May. When I turn over, if I start spouting out nonsense about the American dream and how my stereotypes are 95% accurate and how much I hate today's youth, please, please PLEASE kill me!