Not trying to turn this into a massive debate or argument, but I thought this was a great post, I fully agree, and it really hit the mark on how I feel. I have cut back my forum contributions on all the beer sites I participate in. I found that I was contributing to the negativity by arguing my point, and wasn't getting anywhere. Sometimes it is better to just let these things go.I can tell you that while we do have a few people on the forum here that practice due diligence and have common sense, I will also say that your points will mostly fall on deaf ears.
The Bartowel has been, and will continue to be a place, less and less, where Ontario beer is the main issue, where Ontario beer is praised/critiqued, where we discuss how our scene can be improved by our own beer, but more and more where folks continue to state that we live in a communist province, with essentially nothing good to say.
I'm pretty much done with it at this point. I reached my breaking point a few days ago. I am less and less interested in our "beer scene". Not the Ontario beer scene......no, I love that. I love what folks like Milos and Adil and Ralph and George are doing. THEY LOVE ONTARIO BEER.Beer brewed in this province for people in this province. No,I am talking about "our" beer scene here, where the only good beer is an ultra hopped mega IIPA or Sour Ale with 30% ABV and one off availability.
I'm done with it. I'm done with advocating on here for what most members do not believe.
I love Bartowel....at least I did. I don't really anymore. Sorry Cass, Greg. You guys are awesome. But I just can't participate here like I used to. Too much negativity.
I'll stop by from time to time........but for the most part I am done. Done with the "scene". Done with trying to educate. Done with trying to further things the way I see them, cause the way I see things is the opposite of everyone else here. I'm done with the negativity. I can't fill my life with this hostility. I am happy with what we have here and if I am the bad guy for being that way so be it.
I have been heavily involved in the craft beer and homebrewing scene for about 6 years. I have brewed, chased down and drank a lot of beer, and have come to strongly believe in these 3 statements:
Support your local brewery.
Beer tastes best closest to the source.
Beer is a social thing, and is meant to be shared.