The Police? Really???

[Sacdan]

Detective took pictures of my kegs and thinks this is ridiculous! Hopefully there won't be any more updates other than "it's over".

 

[Germelli1]

Great! Good thing you didn't put an immersion chiller on top of the keg...i think we have all seen that cops episode clip

 

[Sacdan]

Actually, it's inside the keg!

 

[EdWort]

Get the Distributors email address and we all can send him pictures of AB kegs being used with the caption

"Finally, a decent craft beer in a AB keg"

 

[mainah]

this is why http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wxki4t7nuc

+1

 

[JonM]

Get the Distributors email address and we all can send him pictures of AB kegs being used with the caption

"Finally, a decent craft beer in a AB keg"

Awesome!!!

 

[Bigscience]

Just another reason not to drink anything AB.

So I'm always paranoid about something like this happening to me and all 4 of my kegs are from different breweries and I didn't keep any receipts. Besides, the receipts that come from my LHBS are just the generic kind with no detail. I've always wondered if it's possible to hammer out the embossed logos. Has anyone ever tried this?

Also, in college, the beverage place we got our kegs from refused to accept a returned keg and refund the deposit after a week. I always thought this was lame and we missed the time a few times. We ended up with a few swappable shells. In this situation, what should be done? Call Henry Weinhards and ask if they want their keg back? We eventually passed them on to lower classmen to use. I wish I knew if they were still in service.

I also have some previously viewed DVDs that I purchased the have the Blockbuster logo on them. Better hide them in case the AB distributor has a career change.

 

[bob1852]

Better hide them in case the AB distributor has a career change.

hahahahaha

 

[davefleck]

FYI, a defamation of character is a huge stretch. It was reasonable to assume it could be stolen. We all know that is widespread. Second, to prove defamation you need to prove damage was done. Did he tell all of your neighbours that you are a crook while knowing it was false? I wouldn't go down this road. Send a letter to the schmuck, copy th distributor's owner, AB and the article author. If anything.

 

[Germelli1]

*cue rage induced posts from people who only read the first three pages*

 

[passedpawn]

Get the Distributors email address and we all can send him pictures of AB kegs being used with the caption

"Finally, a decent craft beer in a AB keg"

hah!

 

[jd3]

This is about as slanderous as my farts. Seriously, it is BS, but it isn't slander or libel. Find me a lawyer that will take this case. Find his name somewhere other than a bathroom wall, please.

 

[63belair]

*cue rage induced posts from people who only read the first three pages*

Ahahahahahaha

 

[IXVolt]

Too late now, but would have been convenient to have the newspaper there at the time the detective was.

Headlines:
AB's R&D department researching for better beer.

 

[McBrewskie]

This.

DO NOT let the cops in without a warrant. EVER.

If they have to do the paperwork, they usually give up on silly s**t like this.

After they drop it (and frankly, they must have a LOT of time on their hands to even look into something this trivial), lawyer up and sue the distributor for defamation of character, emotional distress and whatever else the lawyer can come up with.

Make the tool suffer!



ETA: Then, grind the AB off the kegs. No use giving free advertisement to a******s.

This. Or if you don't want to sue go to the paper and pitch it as a story about a big bad AB distributor trying to hurt homebrewers and going after the little guy to boost his own product. If the paper runs it AB might take the distributorship for causing such a public relations headache for them. If you want to go the legal route do not let the cop in. If you want to go the public relations route by all means be as accomadating as possible and talk some homebrew with the cop. Good luck, hope you stick it up this guys ass.

 

[McBrewskie]

FYI, a defamation of character is a huge stretch. It was reasonable to assume it could be stolen. We all know that is widespread. Second, to prove defamation you need to prove damage was done. Did he tell all of your neighbours that you are a crook while knowing it was false? I wouldn't go down this road. Send a letter to the schmuck, copy th distributor's owner, AB and the article author. If anything.

Good advice on the legal end. Definitely don't let this go unpunished though. There has to be a way to have some fun with this guy. Email address stuff would be hilarious, the newspaper route would be a real jab in the pocketbook for him if done right. Provide the journalist with some brews and get the story printed. Then mail the story to him and AB.

 

[Yooper]

My goodness, you guys are harsh!

Here's what I think happened: The distributor sees the paper and says, "Aha! That's why I don't get all the kegs back!" and he just mentions it to the police as a possibility.

I bet he's more concerned that others will read the article and want to homebrew also, and just think it's ok to keep some kegs instead of returning them. I'd give him the benefit of the doubt, as people DO steal kegs and we hear about it everyday. Legal kegs are a different story, but the people reading the article don't know that some kegs are illegally obtained. Once the cops tell the distributor that those are legal kegs, I bet it all blows over.

 

[sudsmcgee]

I would add that it wouldn't hurt to video document the visit by the detectives. While it may make them a little more nervous I think you can assure them that it is for your protection AND theirs. They videotape their arrests regularly and you can make a copy available to them within a reasonable time period.

That said, I imagine this will all just blow over with no court case, newspaper article or video. Just some sweet sweet homebrew. Congrats on winning!

In IL it's illegal to videotape the police. Don't know if this is true in other states.

 

[KYB]

Ask him if he has ever stolen shelf space from another brewery. AB distributors always do. Beer Wars wasn't kidding about this (I have other issues with that film tho). I've witnessed them putting their Bud Lime in every single open space when they have designated spots for it, and there were shelf tags for other beers right where they stuck the BL. They went as far as sticking multiple stacks of Bud 55 right in the middle of a bunch of stacks of Miller Lite. We were like "dude, you can't do that, move your **** back." They also took a pallet of craft beer from the cooler (Bells, Great Lakes, etc), stuck it upstairs, and put their damn Bud 15 packs there. Beer department and craft distro were both pissed.

I'm an honest guy, and hate thieves, but have nothing against "stealing" their kegs. Besides, that's what the deposit is for, right?

 

[mrduna01]

All the above post saying SUE!! are ridiculous. This is why we have fat people suing hamburger joints because they ate there 8 times a day. Don't we have better things to do with our time other than clogging up the courts with ridiculousness? The distributor was an ass we can safely say but showing the receipts, thinking to your self "what an ass" and having a good laugh should be enough. One guy going to a police station claiming you may have a stolen keg is not defamation of character anyway.

 

[rycov]

thats BS. there aught to be legal repercussions for his false accusations. take a picture of his dog and say that its proof that its your dog. that'll teach the bastard

 

[bottlebomber]

Or you could just abduct the dog, behead it and stick in on a pike on his front yard at night and set it on fire... wait that would probably be an over reaction... im sure this whole thing will blow over in 2 weeks

 

[passedpawn]

Acting like an ignoramus in response to anything... well, is being an ignoramus. Feel free to do this, as it seems to be a popular opinion to do so.

I'd like to suggest that the OP plays it cool and ignores it all. That's my play, ignore the insanity. Anything else is joining it.

 

[JonM]

IMHO, if a detective (the person responsible for the charging decision) came over and said the complaint was ridiculous, that'd be enough vindication for me. Cheers.

 

[Airborneguy]

Hmm, someone with a Walter Sobchek avatar is suggesting he walk away the better man?

 

[redcoat_or_rebel]

To sue him you would have to spend money to get back at him, even if you did it Pro se you would still have to pay to file the suit and other than a hassle with the police you really can't show harm done. so you would just be hurting his wallet by dragging him into a lawsuit.

i'm surprised the police are actually wasting their time on this....well not really....

bad press or boycott is probably the way to go.

i definitely would not allow the police to inspect anything without a warrant. that is truly harrassment and guilty until proven innocent.

 

[Thefirebuilds]

I would let the detective do his job. then ask if he could pose for a picture of him brewing on the system or drinking one of your beers in front of the system then send it to the distributor. No need to sue that would just be another head ache.

The detectives job is to get a warrant. As a citizen your job is to protect your 4th and 5th amendment rights.

 

[rico567]

The detectives job is to get a warrant. As a citizen your job is to protect your 4th and 5th amendment rights.

Yes, and it should be noted that there are occasions when law enforcement doesn't need a warrant- but they do need probable cause to search. What you must not do is give them permission, nor interfere with them in any way if they do decide to make a search. If they conduct a wrongful search, any results of that search will be inadmissible as evidence. However, if you interfere with that search, it will be treated as a separate offense, whether or not the search is legitimate. Simply make it clear that whatever they do is on their own recognizance, and they do not have your permission.

A few simple rules to cover many of life's little speed bumps:

1. Never eat at a restaurant called "Mom's."

2. Never play cards with a man named Doc.

3. A Smith & Wesson always beats 4 aces.

4. Never, ever voluntarily surrender your Constitutional rights.

 

[Chuginator]

take a picture of his dog and say that its proof that its your dog.

LOL!!!

 

[cc407]

Cop probably just has to cover the bases - plus probably is curious. I wouldn't sweat it.