Derek wrote:Ironically, some macro's could now be considered small. But of course they don't fit the rest of their definition.
But it does raise some questions:
Can craft beer be mass-produced?
Does it really come down to ingredients?
What about the process? Batch size? High-gravity brewing?
Does ownership REALLY mean anything? (when small brewers are bought out, are they no longer considered craft even if they continue the way they always have)?
Does Sam Adams really need a tax break?
As craft grows & becomes more mainstream, do our philosophies need to change?
Can craft beer be mass-produced?
I think so, look at Sierra Nevada, Sam Adams, DFH, Bells, even Creemore. They are all mass producing craft beer. What about Fullers?
Does it really come down to ingredients?
Ingredients and process
What about the process?
See above
Batch size?
I dont think it matters.
High-gravity brewing?
I dont think this is or will be happening for craft products but if it does and the end result is tasty beer Im not nessessarily against it.
Does ownership REALLY mean anything? (when small brewers are bought out, are they no longer considered craft even if they continue the way they always have)?
shouldnt matter
Does Sam Adams really need a tax break?
im not sure
As craft grows & becomes more mainstream, do our philosophies need to change?
I think the way the public views craft beer will change and the big brewers will try to exploit it.
I also think that everyone needs to be reminded that small (or micro)does not equal craft and big does not equal macro swill.