Play Nice!

Is the world becoming a giant playground? Craft brewers are on the same team! Right? The little guys, we are up against the big guys. The phrase "pick on someone you're own size!" was always meant for the larger('lager' was what I miss typed and probably did so correctly) picking on the smaller. Well, according to Beernews.org, Bear Republic Brewery is filing a lawsuit against Central City Brewing Co.

"

The Boston IP blog posted the details about the Bear Republic lawsuit over the weekend. California-based Bear Republic is suing British Columbia-based Central City over alleged trademark infringement on its “RACER 5 INDIA PALE ALE and BEAR REPUBLIC RICARDO’S RED ROCKET ALE” marks. Bear Republic takes issue with Central City’s Red Racer product line which hit cans and U.S. distribution for the first time last year. The brewery sent a cease and desist in mid-December to which Central City responded in early January, rejecting Bear Republic’s claims."

Okay, so when did this matter so much to small craft breweries? I'm also fresh after watching Beer Wars. So much effort and money goes into beating out the small guys, and craft brewers like Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, who after watching the movie, much reminds me of Keanu Reeves as Ted, in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (in the most respectful way possible!!!) still could care less about the Japanese brewery making Catfish Head 60 Minute IIPA. Granted, it's all in the way you tip your hat and adjust to the market.

I see Canada as a place that still believes that the United States of America will never find out about their beers. However, with sites like Beer Advocate it's easy to see word spread really quick. Especially when a beer like Red Racer is getting a lot of BA respect!!!

This simply makes me feel a whole lot of mixed feelings inside. Considering, we have Stone collaborating with Jolly Pumpkin, Brew Dog, etc, and we see 3 Floyd's with Half Acre Brewing Co. collaborating. Why can't we all just get along?

I just feel a little bizarre about beer marketing these days. Everyone wants success. No one wants to fail. But, after watching Beer Wars the movie, we have to work together. Healthy competition is fine, but as such a low percentage of the total beer market share, who cares if "Red" is used in a label or as a brand. Let it slide. It's not like you are all making mass produced Lime Soda-like "beer"... I digress.

Let the small stuff slide. Life is hard enough without fighting in the sandbox while wars are going on outside. I still believe in purity and that if you believe in what you do, and what you do holds craft and merit, it will succeed regardless of the B.S.

Please, craft beer will struggle for a while yet before we even start scratching the surface of the mass market, so let's be nice to each other while we reach for a higher ground together. The underdog can, and will eventually win.

Though, I will mention that after watching Beer Wars, I often feel like screaming inside and wondering why so many people are afraid to open up their taste-buds, but willing to let a television tell them what will look good going down (NOTE: no mention of flavour in commercials!).

I'm often sure this Rooster feels the same frustration every single morning ( please enjoy):

Back To The Future

Beer Wars is now available for the masses of North America. In Canada, the film is available to rent On Demand through Digital Cable and Satellite providers Rogers Cable, Cogeco, Videotron, Sasktel and Shaw as of February 1st, 2010. A documentary of David versus Goliath, except this time David's got a lot of friends, and the use of social networking such as blogs, facebook, twitter, etc to keep everyone updated on every stone thrown at the widow of the big bully breweries.

We are leaping into a new decade with guts, glory, and more technology than any of us could ever know what to do with (iPad, anyone?). Suddenly the little guys are using these resources in a creative way to gain some ground and influence the mainstream masses. This movie created some stir when it was first being screened, though these people were generally beer geeks. Now, this is going to be put in front of the faces of those who should see it.

The Beer Wars website posted the question "What do you think this launch means for craft beer?"

I think this launch is going to really stimulate the market. I see Canada really stepping up the game and playing against the grain of the "safe" market. It's a reminder that we are smarter than corporations think we are. We have the resources, we have the talented brewers, so why are we "10 years behind" the American craft beer industry? I see this launch as motivation for Canadian brewers and Canadian drinkers to experiment, try something different and start paving the way for a world of better craft beer.

Personally, I hope this movie translates well for the Canadian audience. It's not to continuously compare ourselves to the U.S. However, why not close the gap and use our resources well.

What could this mean for craft beer, and Canadian craft beer specifically?