FIB War Room

[furley]

Racist bar owner aside, the problem is that modern journalism is designed for clickbait and widening the political divide. Only the owner of Pollyanna gets the benefit of being a human being with diverse opinions on various subjects for claiming to be primarily conservative.

I would gather that had rhe writer done any actual research for his piece instead of going for maxxx clickkssss he would have found varying degrees of liberalism and conservatism amongst the whole crowd. I am so tired of lazy writing and baseless pigeonholing. We need to stop rewarding this ****.

all i see is "RACIST POLLYANA SUBJECTS MAXX TO PIGEONHOLING" and i feel outraged about what happened to Maxx

it makes me want to read more!

 

[middlebrow]

with the article, i would've loved to instead being grouped with some liberal uprising, been asked a question why we support the ACLU and how trump hasn't changed one ounce of our business or our causes. as the loud turd once said...

 

[DiscountMegaMall4ever]

trump hasn't changed one ounce of our business or our causes

I'd really, really, really prefer the topic never come across his mind.

 

[vav1]

with the article, i would've loved to instead being grouped with some liberal uprising, been asked a question why we support the ACLU and how trump hasn't changed one ounce of our business or our causes. as the loud turd once said...

Your federal excise tax is far less.

 

[trickytunadicky]

My understanding from following the AMMA is that the TTb has become lightning quick with label approvals.

 

[middlebrow]

Your federal excise tax is far less.

My understanding from following the AMMA is that the TTb has become lightning quick with label approvals.

that sorta happened before dolt 45, the old battleaxe retired and the department was criminally understaffed. also if you don't deliver outside the state your free to do whatever you want sans TTB, hence pez, chicken & whatever the f*ck people are throwing in a mash tun this week (Edit - just instagramed my friend in elk grove, this week its rice krispy treats and M&M's).

 

[Thorpe]

that sorta happened before dolt 45, the old battleaxe retired and the department was criminally understaffed. also if you don't deliver outside the state your free to do whatever you want sans TTB, hence pez, chicken & whatever the f*ck people are throwing in a mash tun this week (Edit - just instagramed my friend in elk grove, this week its rice krispy treats and M&M's).

TTB still requires formula approvals even if the product doesn’t leave the state. Not that there are all that many breweries following that rule!

 

[middlebrow]

TTB still requires formula approvals even if the product doesn’t leave the state. Not that there are all that many breweries following that rule!

didnt think illinois required COLA for inside state lines...you sure? but if true, holy cow, talk about an insane amount of pastry rule breakers.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

Trend prediction for 2020: Logan Square-style Ramen IPA.

It almost feels inevitable...

 

[SAISON FUCK]

Trend prediction for 2020: Logan Square-style Ramen IPA.

It almost feels inevitable...

That head retention tho

 

[yeahnatenelson]

That head retention tho

Beer Trends Through Time:

1516 -- Purity
1842 -- Clarity
1965 -- Flavor
1994 -- Bitterness
2005 -- Acidity
2016 -- Mouthfeel
2018 -- Fried Chicken
TBD -- Head Retention

 

[yeahnatenelson]

I just listened to the most recent ep of Beer Temple Insider's Roundtable where they got into the new Taproom bill with a few players from both sides of the issue. Everyone comes off very comfortable, relaxed and not at all defensive.

Very glad to hear that there are no hard feelings and that no seeds of future resentment have been sown...

 

[Thorpe]

didnt think illinois required COLA for inside state lines...you sure? but if true, holy cow, talk about an insane amount of pastry rule breakers.

Not Illinois. The TTB requires formula approval for any beer with a non-approved ingredient even if that beer is only being sold in a single state and even if it's draft only in a single state.

Illinois also does technically require COLA label approval for every beer but it seems like most breweries don't follow that. (Although I also think this is arguable as I recall once looking at the language and it was pretty vague.)

 

[YellowBird1]

I just listened to the most recent ep of Beer Temple Insider's Roundtable where they got into the new Taproom bill with a few players from both sides of the issue. Everyone comes off very comfortable, relaxed and not at all defensive.

Very glad to hear that there are no hard feelings and that no seeds of future resentment have been sown...

You forgot </sarcasm>

 

[YellowBird1]

On the topic of chicken beer and podcasts, dontdrinkbeer/malt couture drank that Greased mash:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/malt-couture/id1401013623?mt=2

 

[danidavid]

On the topic of chicken beer and podcasts, dontdrinkbeer/malt couture drank that Greased mash:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/malt-couture/id1401013623?mt=2

Courtesy of ya girl! That segment went exactly the way I wanted it to.

 

[JulianB1]

Hey Chicagoland, I'll be in you shortly. Hitting Burger Antics for lunch at 12:30, then fear025 and I are going to pop by Beer Cellar at some point in the early afternoon if anyone wants to touch tips at either venue.

 

[yeahnatenelson]

Hey Chicagoland, I'll be in you shortly. Hitting Burger Antics for lunch at 12:30, then fear025 and I are going to pop by Beer Cellar at some point in the early afternoon if anyone wants to touch tips at either venue.

Well, shucks. Had I known in advance I would've been able to make it out. Are you just passing through?

 

[JulianB1]

Well, shucks. Had I known in advance I would've been able to make it out. Are you just passing through?

Just there for the day, didn't set plans until leaving this morning from my intermediate stop. Might be doing 3F this evening if you're around. Lake Michigan/Indiana bound.

 

[Thorpe]

Just there for the day, didn't set plans until leaving this morning from my intermediate stop. Might be doing 3F this evening if you're around. Lake Michigan/Indiana bound.

I might be able to make Beer Cellar depending on the time.

 

[rmalinowski4]

Stupid work...

 

[yeahnatenelson]

You forgot </sarcasm>

Uh, yeah.

Honestly, the tension was so cringey for me that I didn't even listen to the last 15min of the show. Maybe they made up and I just don't know!

For the TL;DL crowd, it mostly broke down the same way that fb convo from a few weeks ago went, sans idiotic Maynard comments: brewers assert that they are obligated to pursue everything that is in their business interests, and if their legislative activities step on the toes their on-premise business partners (who are painted as butt-hurt Chicken Littles), well, it's on them to force their will with lobbying actions of their own.

I've met and chatted with Mike many times, I like him and I especially like him as a commentator on the Roundtable show as he has very thoughtful and nuanced opinions on topics pertaining to the industry, but the way he and other brewers are challenging those bar owners who feel blindsided by the legislation and threatened by the prospect of exponential growth of taprooms vying for their customers paints them in an unsympathetic light: "they're fear mongering, they're unappeasable, they're sore losers".

Customers are largely unaware of this conflict, of course, so there's little sympathy to win or lose but it seems to me that if brewers are sincere about strengthening the relationships with their on-premise partners they should start by maybe recognizing that as their business models have evolved they are now in direct competition with the likes of Pat Berger and Michael Roper and maybe start considering what can be done to grow the pie rather than cutting bigger slices for producers.

 

[ThatJackOC]

Uh, yeah.

Honestly, the tension was so cringey for me that I didn't even listen to the last 15min of the show. Maybe they made up and I just don't know!

For the TL;DL crowd, it mostly broke down the same way that fb convo from a few weeks ago went, sans idiotic Maynard comments: brewers assert that they are obligated to pursue everything that is in their business interests, and if their legislative activities step on the toes their on-premise business partners (who are painted as butt-hurt Chicken Littles), well, it's on them to force their will with lobbying actions of their own.

I've met and chatted with Mike many times, I like him and I especially like him as a commentator on the Roundtable show as he has very thoughtful and nuanced opinions on topics pertaining to the industry, but the way he and other brewers are challenging those bar owners who feel blindsided by the legislation and threatened by the prospect of exponential growth of taprooms vying for their customers paints them in an unsympathetic light: "they're fear mongering, they're unappeasable, they're sore losers".

Customers are largely unaware of this conflict, of course, so there's little sympathy to win or lose but it seems to me that if brewers are sincere about strengthening the relationships with their on-premise partners they should start by maybe recognizing that as their business models have evolved they are now in direct competition with the likes of Pat Berger and Michael Roper and maybe start considering what can be done to grow the pie rather than cutting bigger slices for producers.

I agree that it was cringeworthy at times.

I do think Mike made a sincere effort to reach out to Zak & Chris (and retails generally, from a rhetorical standpoint) to understand what producers with taprooms can do to be good partners with retailers who may now view them as competitors.

One question that was not raised but may be more appropriate for folks here - is there an outcry from consumers to be able to drink guest drafts/cider/wine in brewery taprooms?

Maybe it's just my personal bubble, but I have yet to hear a complaint that brewery taprooms are unaccommodating because they only serve beer that's brewed on-site. I get that it's nice to offer a gluten-free option. I also get that it's nice to tap guest beers/collaborations from time to time.

But I also think that the idea of turning taprooms into taverns defeats their purpose. Why go "to the source," just to drink someone else's product? If I'm in your taproom, I want to try *your* beer.

 

[trickytunadicky]

I agree that it was cringeworthy at times.

I do think Mike made a sincere effort to reach out to Zak & Chris (and retails generally, from a rhetorical standpoint) to understand what producers with taprooms can do to be good partners with retailers who may now view them as competitors.

One question that was not raised but may be more appropriate for folks here - is there an outcry from consumers to be able to drink guest drafts/cider/wine in brewery taprooms?

Maybe it's just my personal bubble, but I have yet to hear a complaint that brewery taprooms are unaccommodating because they only serve beer that's brewed on-site. I get that it's nice to offer a gluten-free option. I also get that it's nice to tap guest beers/collaborations from time to time.

But I also think that the idea of turning taprooms into taverns defeats their purpose. Why go "to the source," just to drink someone else's product? If I'm in your taproom, I want to try *your* beer.

I have gone to a brewpub and ordered guest draughts but it’s a lazy business plan problem, not because I went there to drink someone else’s beer. A couple years back I was on a streak of ordering the fresh Mikkeller tap at FFF because otherwise all they had on was 10 hoppy beers, and at least the Mikkeller beer was usually a strong ale or a stout. I went to FFF for the food and occasionally Robert the Bruce but for a while there their whole list was hops, hops and more hops and I was not into it. But thats my problem for not being into everyone’s favorite style.

 

[user 306237]

I agree that it was cringeworthy at times.

I do think Mike made a sincere effort to reach out to Zak & Chris (and retails generally, from a rhetorical standpoint) to understand what producers with taprooms can do to be good partners with retailers who may now view them as competitors.

One question that was not raised but may be more appropriate for folks here - is there an outcry from consumers to be able to drink guest drafts/cider/wine in brewery taprooms?

Maybe it's just my personal bubble, but I have yet to hear a complaint that brewery taprooms are unaccommodating because they only serve beer that's brewed on-site. I get that it's nice to offer a gluten-free option. I also get that it's nice to tap guest beers/collaborations from time to time.

But I also think that the idea of turning taprooms into taverns defeats their purpose. Why go "to the source," just to drink someone else's product? If I'm in your taproom, I want to try *your* beer.

If a bunch of us are going to get together, I’m always quick to suggest Rev’s tap room. It may get crowded but if we can grab a table, it’s very easy to hang out. But if one person doesn’t like beer, it’s a bit of a downer. It would be nice if there was a white or red wine available - but that’s our problem and not Rev’s.

Tap rooms, to me, have a casualness that bars don’t have. It’s easier to run separate tabs or deal with food. I know that’s not true for every bar or tap room - but the ones I go to most often (Rev, Half Acre and Metropolitan) just feel more comfortable. If they had wine or hard liquor, they would be even more comfortable.

How does Mouse Trap get away with it?

 

[Gonzoillini1]

If a bunch of us are going to get together, I’m always quick to suggest Rev’s tap room. It may get crowded but if we can grab a table, it’s very easy to hang out. But if one person doesn’t like beer, it’s a bit of a downer. It would be nice if there was a white or red wine available - but that’s our problem and not Rev’s.

Tap rooms, to me, have a casualness that bars don’t have. It’s easier to run separate tabs or deal with food. I know that’s not true for every bar or tap room - but the ones I go to most often (Rev, Half Acre and Metropolitan) just feel more comfortable. If they had wine or hard liquor, they would be even more comfortable.

How does Mouse Trap get away with it?

They don't self distribute, so they have a production license and a brewpub license which allows them to serve alcohol, wine, spirits and guest drafts.

If they didn't want to go through a distributor and wanted to self distribute in IL they wouldn't be allowed to have that license. It's an either / or situation.

 

[user 306237]

They don't self distribute, so they have a production license and a brewpub license which allows them to serve alcohol, wine, spirits and guest drafts.

If they didn't want to go through a distributor and wanted to self distribute in IL they wouldn't be allowed to have that license. It's an either / or situation.

And due to the recent(ish) changes pushed though by Josh Deth, they can already move kegs freely between their production facility and Mouse Trap? Is that right?

 

[Gonzoillini1]

And due to the recent(ish) changes pushed though by Josh Deth, they can already move kegs freely between their production facility and Mouse Trap? Is that right?

That I don't know about honestly, I'm sure someone like vav can better answer that question.

 

[mjohnson171]

Just there for the day, didn't set plans until leaving this morning from my intermediate stop. Might be doing 3F this evening if you're around. Lake Michigan/Indiana bound.

Dammit JulianB . Stop acting like an out-of-towner. It's FFF or Floyds.

 

[JulianB1]

Dammit JulianB . Stop acting like an out-of-towner. It's FFF or Floyds.

Ugh I knew that too...