Great Lakes Brewing News Archive

Letters to the Editor

Originally Published: 12/97

Dear Mr. Metzger:

I just wanted to drop you a note and tell you that I enjoy reading your Great Lakes Brewing News. Being originally from Minnesota (New Ulm-home of the great August Shell Brewery) but now living in Wisconsin, I find the entries for Wisconsin and Minnesota of special interest.

Are you a brewer yourself? How did you get started in the publishing business? When did the Great Lakes Brewing News publish it first edition? Do you hold some type of annual get together for all the regular writers who contribute to your paper? Keep up the great work with your paper.

Thanks for your kind words. To answer your questions, I used to brew a lot, at home, but since starting to publish brewpapers, no longer have the time, although I sample quite a lot of commercial and home brew! I am halfway through building an all grain system and hope to have it on line although those who know me have heard that line before...I started by writing for other brewspapers, then moved to an area that didn't have one. I was formerly the editor of an environmental newspaper and transferred those skills plus my knowledge of brewing. The Great Lakes paper first appeared in February of 1996, so we're young. Finally, we don't have an annual get-together of writers, but it's an idea I've considered for the future. I think it would be fun as hell. For now, we tend to all congregate at beer festivals.

Salud,

Bill

10.10.97

Sir,

I am a long time reader of GLBN, which I consider my bible for craft breweries. Now one reason I decided to write is that in the Craft Breweries listing for IL. there are four that are closed; Chicago Brewing CO. (sold at auction), JD Nick's Brewpub (closed), Pavichevich Brewing Co.(sold at auction), Star Union Brewery Co. (closed). If you want to replace them with; Copper Dragon Brewpub- Carbondale,IL., Crooked Waters Brewery and Pub- Peoria,IL., Goose Island Brewing Co.-Chicago,IL., Two Brothers Brewing Co.-Warrenville,IL. Keep up the good work- Thanks for your time!

Charles Jeske

Thanks Charles. Some of those changes had already been made and the others are done now, if they coincide with the region we cover. For those we don't list in certain states, it's a question of getting them on board in the future.

10/14/97

Dear Editor,

On my way back to Lake Placid for the G.A.B.F. I could not get a thought out of my mind. While it may be obvious by the rest of this letter that I am not a letter writer (I prefer the phone as a method of communication), this issue strikes me as something applicable to all of us in the brewing industry; so here goes.

We are all aware that the growth in our industry has taken a decline, but I don't think many of us are surprised, More and more breweries are opening, but fewer and fewer seem to be opening for the purpose of spreading the good news of small, hand-crafted ales and lagers and wonderful tastes that go along with microbrewed beer.

This issue came to head for me at the latest GABF. The festival was handled even better than I expected, with excellent staff, security and services. The problem I saw at the festival had to do with the breweries and the brewers, and that was surprising to me. Where were the representatives most of the time? My partner and I spent 95% of our time behind our booth, pouring for the consumers, talking to them, explaining the differences between our beers, comparing them to beers they may know, answering questions about our brewpub, our brewery, our malt, etc...While the volunteers were both friendly, energetic and plentiful, no one knows your business, your brewery, and your beer like you do. We felt that the reason for going to the festival was to talk to the public about our brewpub and our own beers, to get feedback from the people who are spending their hard earned money with us. Isn't that what the festival is all about? It is undeniable that by the end of each session, you pour more and talk less. While that may be a good time to let the volunteers pour, it is also the least appealing time to be on the floor. Brewers go to the festival to learn about and taste other beers, but the GABF has private sessions which are a perfect opportunity to sample.

I apologize to the other brewers who spent the majority of time behind their booth doing the same thing that we did( Mendocino and John Harvard come to mind). We are in a minority. From our limited time outside of our booth and the feed back we heard from the volunteers around us, it seemed like 85% of the breweries found better things to do than represent their product to the public. I know brewers who skipped entire sessions to play golf. I doubt that happened sixteen years ago at the first festival.

My concern is that there are more and more people who are opening breweries because it is the thing to do. I think we need to get away form opening brewpubs which have pictures of Marilyn Monroe, The Three Stooges, James Dean, and Captain Kirk covering every single solitary inch of wall-space. Let's go back to the basics of putting down your beer in front of someone and talking about it. If you own a brewpub, bartend at least once a week. Find out what is going on in your customers' minds. Let's try and get back behind our booths and lead the industry toward the right direction.

Christopher Ericson- owner/head brewer

Chris,

We heard the same type of complaint from more than one dedicated brewer. Thanks for putting it in writing.

Mr. Bill Metzger,

After reading the recent article on The Great Taste of the Midwest (Oct/Nov issue) I felt compelled to address an issue regarding the photograph page three, depicting a festival attendee drinking from a nine liter bottle of Bell's Expo Stout.

As a brewery attendee for the past two years and a host of our own " Chequamegon Craft Beer Festival", I was embarassed (sic) as a brewer in the craft beer industry in the use of that photograph. The printing of that photograph, with beer pouring down the attendees' face, and bystanders cheering on, goes against the basic ideals of our industry and great events such as the " Great Taste".

These events are utilized to sample the many beers available from breweries in the region in moderation. While at the same time raising money for non-profit organizations such as WORT. At the same time, they also allow the brewers themselves to discuss and educate the consumers that attend. They are not chugging events, nor are they a cheap way to catch a buzz. They are a way for people to enjoy and savor the many styles of beer that the individual breweries took time, care, and creativity to create. I hope that in the future, your publication uses better judgement (sic) in the choice of photographs utilized to depict the craft beer industry. I feel that it not only damages the integrety (sic) of the craft brewing industry, events such as the "Great Taste" and other non-profit festivals.

Sincerely,

Kevin Lyons, Assistant Brewer

South Shore Brewery, Ashland, WI

Kevin,

While brewers and samplers do go to beer festivals to enjoy and savor many styles of beer, they also go to enjoy themselves. I see no one cheering on the guzzling brewer, just watching in delight and amazement. By publishing this photo, we in no way damage the integrity of a festival, of which the Bell's big bottles have become an integral part. Sorry we can't promise to refrain from photos you find offensive. We're getting a reputation for that, aren't we?!

Dear GLBN,

I picked up your Oct/Nov. issue at the Real Ale Festival in Chicago this past weekend. I especially appreciate your news and listings by state and region-Enclosed is my $15 for a one year subscription. I am looking forward to having good advance knowledge of your area whenever I visit.

Dan Kochakian

Dear Bill,

Please crank up my subscription, I travel Wisconsin a good bit ( I'm a Union rep and part time folklorist). So a referral to a good tavern is always welcome (as are tavern stories). When in southwest Wisconsin check out Pat and Mike's in Dodgeville and Parlor Bar in Spring Green.

Keep it pouring

Dennis Boyer

Dear Mr. Metzger,

It must be on account of my friendship with Bill Owens that you keep sending me your very informative magazines. Thank you, I love it! However I can not accept them free of charge. therefore I enclose my subscription cheque. I am a retired former Belgian brewer who just wrote a book "Son of a Brewer".

Best Regards and cheers-

Armand L. De Clercq

GLBN welcomes all letters from our readers, and reserves the right to edit, when necessary. Send them to Letters, GLBN, 214 Muegel St, E Amherst, NY 14051 USA.