tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post5572603148894340014..comments2023-09-15T08:14:07.431-07:00Comments on Taking the beard out of beer!: UK Brewing Industry Unfriendly? Really?!Melissa Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13701889299756506857noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-77705057428592850442012-04-21T08:24:00.695-07:002012-04-21T08:24:00.695-07:00A bit late coming to this one, but felt I should a...A bit late coming to this one, but felt I should add a view that I feel very deeply about.<br /><br />18 months ago I embarked on a total change of career, moving from a 32 year career in Software and IT, into the beer industry (I opened a specialist beer shop). The primary reason that I made this move was because over the previous six years I had got to know many of the people involved in beer in and around Gloucestershire whilst organising the Cheltenham Beer Festival for a local charity. The people I met were all friendly, open, passionate about their craft and most of all they helped each other! This was like a breath of fresh air to me after the back-stabbing politics that I encountered in the corporate world and I really did just think 'This is an industy I need to work in'.<br /><br />Since opening the shop I have met and regularly engaged with many, many more people in the industry - brewers, publicans, wholesalers, writers, retailers - the list goes on, but with just a very few exceptions, everyone seems to live up to my initial impressions.<br /><br />So hey, maybe it is even better in the States, but maybe the good people at Brewdog should just think themselevs lucky that they work in the industry they do.FavouriteBeersLeighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11729329977998064516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-36998759798082957892012-02-16T12:01:12.666-08:002012-02-16T12:01:12.666-08:00I doubt whether I shall ever stock Brewdog beer in...I doubt whether I shall ever stock Brewdog beer in my pub. I just don't like their attitude. When I emailed a quick note supporting them about the BBF thing they were quite happy to talk to me, but when I mentioned that I thought it was a bit naff them not doing much cask any more there was no response at all. So much for being happy to talk about things.<br /> They were happy to set a up a deal getting their fugly beer fonts in a small local chain of pubs in Bristol when it suited them, but then they saw a bigger market and then decided that they couldn't be bothered to organise delivery to Bristol any more. <br />I have not met them, but there attitude appears to me identical to a stroppy teenager, who is happy to talk when the subject is themselves, but throw a tantrum when they are not the centre of attention.<br /> Nice beer, but it comes with an immature attitude. There are people in this country making better beer who are not such a pain in the backside.Saga Of Nailshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08891668833405154713noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-58095339745109744702012-02-09T20:40:37.026-08:002012-02-09T20:40:37.026-08:00I really think that this is a generalisation on Br...I really think that this is a generalisation on Brewdog’s part and that people shouldn’t get so offended by it. Each person always has their own story, which comes with its own experiences, and this is theirs. It doesn’t make their statement true; it’s their perspective, their experience. <br /><br />However, for Brewdog’s future reference, I would avoid painting everyone with the same brush as generalisations are useful to no one. You can't speak for every fledgling brewery, just yourselves.<br /><br />And please try to avoid discrediting people’s opinion just because they aren’t brewers. I believe that beer is democratic and anyone should be welcome to comment, despite their background, profession or experience. <br /><br />Brewdog’s attitude here has put me right off them.Tom Eldridgehttp://icecoldinsalvador.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-9200897310789071312012-02-07T01:56:08.902-08:002012-02-07T01:56:08.902-08:00I see our friends at Brewdog are inviting ideas fo...I see our friends at Brewdog are inviting ideas for what they can put into their brew this morning. Dare I suggest they've pretty much got it licked as far as brewing is concerned and just add a drop of humility instead?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-10142744761808802102012-02-06T03:32:27.081-08:002012-02-06T03:32:27.081-08:00@MagicRockRich I know for sure that Dark Star were...@MagicRockRich I know for sure that Dark Star were doing exactly this kind of hopping in the early-mid 2000s and I would hazard that there were others as well...Melissa Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701889299756506857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-61743617490059431772012-02-02T11:12:45.536-08:002012-02-02T11:12:45.536-08:00What a wonderful advertisement for BrewDog! Sales ...What a wonderful advertisement for BrewDog! Sales will be even higher in February. Great job guys and keep expanding. We need more of your beer here in the US. Even in Denver, where I sit right now drinking an Odell Saboteur. How about an Odell-Brewdog Collaboration or maybe you guys could do one with Crooked Stave or Funkwerks. Cheers!English Yanknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-11758378614760142852012-02-02T07:40:38.643-08:002012-02-02T07:40:38.643-08:00Mixed feelings on this one! Speaking as a brewer, ...Mixed feelings on this one! Speaking as a brewer, I have never seen an industry where most of the participants are so ready and willing to help out their 'competitors' (for such we are - we're all aiming at the same relatively small market). The recent trend of collaborations takes this another step, though is possibly more commercially justifiable. If Brewdog's experience is different then that is sad, though their demeanour could be said to be not geared to making friends!<br /><br />We like to think of ourselves as one of Britain's more progressive breweries. Are we copying Brewdog? No. Were we influenced by Brewdog? Of course we bloody were! In terms of our attitudes and recipes, we look more to America directly than via BD, but I do think they've helped pave the way in this country. IMO a lot of what Brewdog does now goes beyond what I want from beer, and I really can't be arsed with their publicity stunts (as for the pointless 2/3pint glass…), but their contribution to the British beer market can't be overlooked. They gave British brewing a much needed kick up the arse - for all the good CAMRA did saving ale 40 years ago, they've not noticed it's not 1970 any more. If it were down to them pubs would still be full of toffeeish crystal-malt laden best bitters and of course mild… Brewdog have been massively instrumental in promoting the concept of beer that actually tastes nice rather than something to be simply quaffed - especially to those who don't want to or don't have the opportunity to buy uberhoppy US imports. No, I'm not saying Brewdog were first to brew super-hoppy beer in the UK, but they've probably brought it to the widest audienceDave Unpronounceablehttp://www.steelcitybrewing.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-31937978230472467512012-02-02T06:43:16.722-08:002012-02-02T06:43:16.722-08:00Thanks John, kind of you to sayThanks John, kind of you to sayMelissa Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701889299756506857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-65234211264091204442012-02-02T06:26:37.044-08:002012-02-02T06:26:37.044-08:00FWIW I really don't think Melissa (and we'...FWIW I really don't think Melissa (and we've had our disagreements in the past) needs to rely on bashing Brewdog to *help* her reputation. Give her more credit FFS.Johnnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-14683100902048977592012-02-02T06:23:16.068-08:002012-02-02T06:23:16.068-08:00@James just to address your comments, I believe th...@James just to address your comments, I believe that there has been a polar shift in the nature of the UK brewing industry in the last 10 years, have you been part of that? Undoubtedly. <br /><br />But why do you insist on trying to pull apart the industry you claim to love? You've got such a platform that you could easily instigate change in a much more positive manner, instead you insist on going the negative route and I just can't stand aside as you try and paint this country's brewing community as a bunch of creative misers.<br /><br />And, if you do get on so well with the 'new guard', then why tar them with the same brush as those you've found unfriendly in a publication that's going to be read quite widely?<br /><br />You did the same thing in the Herald when you said that you basically only like Kernel beers, where were the mentions of your 'mates' at Lovibonds, Dark Star and the others then?<br /><br />I also think that holding onto your grudge about someone not telling you about bottles in 2007 is more than a little over the top.<br /><br />It's like me nursing a grudge about every piece of sexist nonsense that's been aimed at me over the years and saying that the whole of the UK brewing industry is run by misogynists, it's not, there are just a couple of idiot dinosaurs who are unpleasant, not the industry as a whole, yet you've taken some of your experiences and decided to portray the entire UK brewing community as unfriendly.<br /><br />Please just stop being so negative all the time, you could be so much better than that.Melissa Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701889299756506857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-60318400898522883022012-02-02T05:05:15.686-08:002012-02-02T05:05:15.686-08:00Great news that we can all look forward to more av...Great news that we can all look forward to more availability of Molson Coors' fantastic range of real ales: http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/City-News/Worthington-brewery-plans-to-increase-production<br />The likes of White Shield and P2 Imperial Stout have not craft beer credibility then James? Once again shooting your mouth off while disregarding the important stuff like facts.Glover Lovernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-60611825678570475582012-02-02T00:53:48.642-08:002012-02-02T00:53:48.642-08:00I assume they are pandering to US prejudice that w...I assume they are pandering to US prejudice that we're all stuffed suits by doing this is what everyone from meantime to Brew Dog and Piers Morgan to Nick Luck do.<br /><br />All Berks.bedfonthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08734407435275515547noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-8555056674860146092012-02-01T19:13:51.171-08:002012-02-01T19:13:51.171-08:00Seems you can’t express an opinion these days with...Seems you can’t express an opinion these days without somebody asking you to apologise for it, so dare not draw from your own experience lest it may differ from others, easier for us all to think the same about everything and once that achieved we’d still reason to call each other names.Doug Donelannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-35231678803128983622012-02-01T11:55:55.214-08:002012-02-01T11:55:55.214-08:00There's a reason US craft breweries are so ope...There's a reason US craft breweries are so open with one another: the market has been growing in double digits for a decade. When that changes, the openness will change as well. It's not an inaccurate observation, it's just a time-specific one.Jeff Alworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930119177544342495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-60314242931572575822012-02-01T11:24:01.474-08:002012-02-01T11:24:01.474-08:00Rich
Brendan Dobbin only used hop pellets in fact...Rich<br /><br />Brendan Dobbin only used hop pellets in fact, and as far as I recall (it was some years ago now) also dry hopped with them.John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-79000794240033348432012-02-01T11:02:31.618-08:002012-02-01T11:02:31.618-08:00Oh hello anonymous trolls, what took you so long?!...Oh hello anonymous trolls, what took you so long?! Couldn't give a toss about Wiki, if I did I'd blog more, that's how it works!!Melissa Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13701889299756506857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-12907443491515128812012-02-01T10:52:00.613-08:002012-02-01T10:52:00.613-08:00Nothing drives up your blog traffic like a BrewDog...Nothing drives up your blog traffic like a BrewDog controversy, eh Ms Cole?! <br /><br />Keep up the outrage, it'll do wonders for your wiki listing...BrewDog Shareholdernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-42553917695581588842012-02-01T10:50:35.684-08:002012-02-01T10:50:35.684-08:00Am I the only one who is f**king sick of this conv...Am I the only one who is f**king sick of this conversation by now? YawnMichael Ironsidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00644862301737667329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-15790330415955014952012-02-01T06:50:20.824-08:002012-02-01T06:50:20.824-08:00a good brewdog story (bitch), always gets people o...a good brewdog story (bitch), always gets people on to your website.<br />Well done Melissa probably the most people you have ever had reading your blogAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-53192546041569847522012-02-01T03:44:25.080-08:002012-02-01T03:44:25.080-08:00Fullers have been dry hopping specific beers with ...Fullers have been dry hopping specific beers with pellets in their conditioning tanks for a very long timeTriple fff Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12197239129440664701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-14552494970740645852012-02-01T03:39:59.243-08:002012-02-01T03:39:59.243-08:00This comment has been removed by the author.Triple fff Brewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12197239129440664701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-34351484537131341752012-02-01T00:09:01.300-08:002012-02-01T00:09:01.300-08:00Just stumbling across this rather late...sorry.
T...Just stumbling across this rather late...sorry.<br /><br />This west-coast Yank is not very impressed with BrewPup's attempts at brewing "hop-forward" or whatever post-modern Yankobier. Had a fabulous pint of cask-conditioned Punk in a Welsh pub a couple of years ago, but otherwise, meh. It's drinkable, what I can get sent to Franconia in bottles, but nothing at all special.<br /><br />Then again, so much Yankobier that these guys are so impressed with is in term pretty lame. And I have absolutely 0 interest in their hyper-strong stuff, maybe that's what's so highly rated at r8beer.com?<br /><br />The hulaballoo about Sink the Bismark vs. Schorschbräu that played out on German TV a year or two ago, now THAT was entertaining.Erlangernickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09564871714656285737noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-68197099992105850572012-01-31T18:19:36.595-08:002012-01-31T18:19:36.595-08:00I wasn't suggesting that BrewDog were the firs...I wasn't suggesting that BrewDog were the first to use US and NZ hops in the UK, of course many brewers pre-date them with that and I'm well aware of Brendan Dobbins and Sean Franklins legacy. <br /><br />The point I was making is that BrewDog were the first brewery in the UK to embrace specific US dry hopping techniques to their beer. <br /><br />That is large and multiple pellet hopping additions in cold conditioning. To my knowledge none of the brewers mentioned were doing this pre-BrewDog but I may be wrong.<br /><br />I'm not saying other breweries weren't heavily dry hopping, but most would be using whole hops in fermentation or cask which is completely different and gives a different flavour/aroma profile to the very US way BrewDog followed.MagicRockRichhttp://www.magicrockbrewing.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-56200312382516863452012-01-31T16:18:22.202-08:002012-01-31T16:18:22.202-08:00Yes, and let's not forget Brendan Dobbin who w...Yes, and let's not forget Brendan Dobbin who was seriously using American and NZ hops at his West Coast Brewery in Manchester almost 20 years ago - his Yakima Grande Pale Ale (a cask recreation of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale - but with arguably a higher hop profile) amd his Green Bullet single hop house beer for the Crown in Stockport are the stuff of legend - and largely unknown to many new brewers , beer geeks and bloggers.John Clarkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00132845616834779091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7870641958407671573.post-14010150611506462332012-01-31T15:22:15.047-08:002012-01-31T15:22:15.047-08:00and Sean knows a LOT about balance and never saw t...and Sean knows a LOT about balance and never saw the need to shout about it. His beers piss all over the unbalanced crap (lets tip 50kg of T90 into an FV) from brew dog!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com