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...
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...
