Feud between my two local breweries

[m00ps]

My town got its first two breweries at the start of this year. Both opened within weeks of each other. So they have always had a certain rivalry, but now its getting worse. I wanted to hear people's thoughts.

Bit of background, Ill keep it brief: I met with both brewmasters, geeked out for a while, and shared some of my beer with them before either even got too far into construction. One brewery (well call "#1") is only 2 blocks from my house, and have been very receptive to me as a homebrewer. #2 has more of the types of beer that I enjoy, but the staff tends to be very elitist and snooty. I remember being at the release party for their black IPA and I asked about how they made it and hop choices (since i had recently made one and brought it for them to try) and the employee said "oh, you know we just brewed it" and walked away.


So #2 has been sending people into #1 to basically "spy" on their beers. They have better reviews in general of their beers online but still seem threatened by #1. They seem much less open about their beers than #1. This past month, #2 just got the cover of beer advocate. #1 made a big social media post congratulating them. The next week, #1 medaled at the GABF. Instead of congratulating them, #2s head brewer storms in and demands to try the beer that medaled. Upon finding out it wasnt the same batch that won the award (because they had to submit entries weeks ago) he grew furious and ended up tossing chairs around back at his own brewery and now it seems he is fired.

Im not sure what to make of all of it. #2 had always seemed to think I was somehow a threat to their business even though Im a measly homebrewer that can only produce 5gal at a time. But now, Im wondering whether they would be more willing to work with me since their head brewer is now gone. However, I am working on a collaboration with #1 and in no way would I want them to feel betrayed or anything. I havent been to #2 in a while after they snubbed me. Maybe I should keep it that way? I dunno, it always seemed like the town was too small for 2 breweries. I feel like I can play a not-insignificant role in which ends up staying open...

 

[d3track]

I get away from drama like the plague. #1 sounds like a more enjoyable place, which imho makes the beer more enjoyable

 

[m00ps]

oh, and one more bit:
After being fired, I recently found out that #2s head brewer has worked for 9 or 10 different breweries in some capacity. It seems that #2 may soon be in some sort of lawsuit concerning the recipes and even art design for some of their beers. Im guessing there is a possibility some of recipes may have just been taken straight from previous breweries.

 

[pricelessbrewing]

Sounds like #1 seems a lot more open and friendly, which is cool. #2 sounds like a place I wouldn't want to go to or support regardless of their beer quality.

 

[Sammy86]

Stay away from the drama and continue the visit the brewery where you feel comfortable and welcome as a customer and human being. Sounds like a real FUBAR situation between the two breweries....something that I would stay as far away from as possible.

 

[ifnotuthenwho]

Stay with #1 and help them make their beer better. Maybe you could eventually land a consultant position.

#2 sounds like a PITA although that may change with the head brewer gone. But why take the chance if you like the people at #1 better. Life's to short to deal with prima donnas.

 

[LandoLincoln]

You can't patent a recipe.

Brewery #2 sounds like a bunch of losers. If the town isn't big enough for two breweries, then let them sink.

 

[NathPowe]

One brewery (well call "#1") is only 2 blocks from my house

^ This combined with the fact that "#1" sound like fun to people to be around would be the deciding factors for me.

Good luck with the collaboration, sounds fun. Cheers.

 

[soccerdad]

bunch of losers

Land O Trump

 

[drainbamage]

Most cities with a decent brewing presence have a collaborative environment, and the brewers welcome the competition because it draws attention to the craft as a whole. #2 sounds butthurt that they aren't the only game in town.

 

[soccerdad]

continue to visit the brewery where you feel comfortable and welcome as a customer

that's what I would do

 

[JKaranka]

I've had one of those where #1 has drinkable beer, #2 has cool experimental beer, #1 has nice, open, fun people, #2 has cool, crafty, annoying people. Much better time drinking all night in anything related to down to earth #1.

 

[agrazela]

^ This combined with the fact that "#1" sound like fun to people to be around would be the deciding factors for me.

Good luck with the collaboration, sounds fun. Cheers.

Agreed with the 2 blocks from home. Any drinking establishment within stumbling distance of home is a big WIN!

 

[treacheroustexan]

#1 for sure.

#2 isn't worth your time.

 

[BrewerBrad82]

I would continue to frequent #1 and build your rapport with them, let #2 wallow in their own self-induced misery.

 

[Paps]

Agreed with the 2 blocks from home. Any drinking establishment within stumbling distance of home is a big WIN!

This.

 

[Punity]

This sounds oddly familiar....you sure you dont live in washington?

 

[iijakii]

I'm not really much for drama at all. If #2s is that good I'd drink it and just not socialize with the employees. Not sharing recipes and stuff isn't exactly boycott-worthy in my opinion, but feel free to do your own convictions. Glad the rage-****** got canned though.

There's no reason you can't drink from both. More beer the merrier!

 

[alphaomega]

I was kind of intrigued by the mystery of anonymizing the breweries as #1 and #2, well turns out it was easier than I thought to find out who they were...

 

[BrewerBrad82]

Yea, it was real easy...

 

[MaxStout]

A big part of the brewery experience is interacting with the people there. Without that, you might as well just buy beer and drink it at home. That said, I'd vote for #1, hands-down. Better to have "good" beer and dynamite people, than "better" beer and unfriendly people.

 

[treacheroustexan]

I was kind of intrigued by the mystery of anonymizing the breweries as #1 and #2, well turns out it was easier than I thought to find out who they were...

Yeah hahaha I'm glad I'm not the only one who did this.

 

[alphaomega]

A big part of the brewery experience is interacting with the people there. Without that, you might as well just buy beer and drink it at home. That said, I'd vote for #1, hands-down. Better to have "good" beer and dynamite people, than "better" beer and unfriendly people.

I agree, I think it is easier to improve the character of a beer

 

[brrman]

Sounds like #1 was a brewery opened by the brewer or someone who is a brewing enthusiast.
Brewery #2 sounds like a business venture opened by someone who is not a brewer (hired a brewer) and they run it like it's a cutthroat business.

 

[JoshuaW]

#2 is currently hiring for that head brewer position. I have seen posts they have made on other forums.

As far as being snooty, it sounds like the person you talked to just didnt know the answer and didnt care enough to find out. Regardless, it is disappointing because the person from #2 that I have interacted with on other forums seems like a cool person.

 

[MaxStout]

I was kind of intrigued by the mystery of anonymizing the breweries as #1 and #2, well turns out it was easier than I thought to find out who they were...

Yeah, I quickly determined that #1 werks better, as the other would be like being stuck on dry ground.

 

[m00ps]

yeah maybe shouldve changed my location haha

well looks like a general consensus here. Just feels weird since I liked going to the 2nd one more initially. They got a leg up in popularity and I guess it went to their heads...still wouldnt want to see them tank though

 

[JoshuaW]

yeah maybe shouldve changed my location haha

well looks like a general consensus here. Just feels weird since I liked going to the 2nd one more initially. They got a leg up in popularity and I guess it went to their heads...still wouldnt want to see them tank though

Being on BA was also a pretty big clue. That's very prestigious, so anyone who has even a hint of who it is can pretty easily deduce it. I think its kind of funny, and I think they deserve to be called out on it. I like to give my business to people who support my values, and if someone cant play nice in the community, well, I dont really want to give them my business.

 

[m00ps]

I am interested to see if theres any lawsuit development. I guess you really cant patent a recipe, but from what I was told, it was the also the label design and name that was in question.

On the other hand, every engineering position ive had to sign a non-disclosure agreement when hired. Im guessing this doesnt really apply as much here, but whats to stop brewers from leaving a commercial brewery and just taking any winning recipes with them, regardless of whether they were the one that developed the recipes. I figure its more of a honor code thing?

 

[Punity]

Unless you are brewing on the exact same setup then the recipe is pretty much useless outside of ingredients which cant be trademarked as far as i know. If it was developed in house then its technically property of the brewery becuase it was conceived there on their time but thats a quick call to your attorney to let them know to give it back if they run off with it....as has happened recently on another forum.