I read this year someone arguing that brewers needed to support good beer writers. I agreed. Then I found out that what that translated to was buying more ads in established periodicals. I didn't agree. Point missed. One of the great things related to beer I have experienced not only this year but since I took up this interest was spending a weekend with Ron Pattinson. That is him above in a picture that just popped up on Facebook. I presume it is from an event Ron wrote about today where he spoke at the relaunch of two entire indigenous but largely lost beer styles from what is now Poland, Grätzer and Grodziskie. What bugs me - and Ron can be as disappointed with me as he might be for pointing this out - is the line at the end of his post:
Disclosure time. Obviously, as I was involved in the making of this beer, I have an interest in it. I had a few free beers at the launch; one free beer and a hamburger at Jopen when it was brewed.
The saddest thing for me is that this may well be the person thinking more intelligently about good beer in the English-speaking world today. He's been doing it for years. But, while I would like to be his business manager and get him full value for what he knows, what shocks me is how brewers of good beer are not lining up to be his patron, to ensure he has the income necessary to draw out all that he can from brewing history and brewing today. Sure, some entrenched by-liners may offer a suggestion that folk might want to struggle along in the world of freelance writing and scrape by, too. But that misses the point. This is beyond the lack of interest by those making good beer in those writing about good beer. Were ten clever brewers to align themselves and pledge less than they offer a counter clerk in their retail outlet, Ron could do this full time. You know, the brewers for whom he makes money and builds reputation. Just imagine what that might mean.
Comments
itslunchtimeca - November 23, 2012 9:58 PM
This reminds me of patronage in the best sense of the word. The issue would be how to ensure that the beer writing isn't affected negatively by the patronage. It might be easy enough for some association, (i.e. Ontario has the OCB) that could hire/support writers to write articles and reviews about the beer.
Though, I suppose if the brewers want to get the word out especially in terms of educating their customers, it would make sense to hire a good beer writer than a poor marketing company. I am a little ambivalent about this post but think this idea should be explored a little more...
Alan - November 23, 2012 10:03 PM
I think this is a slightly different thing. I am modestly supported by the OCB but I am thinking more of full patronage for Ron. It's not about giving enough to ensure there is enough to buy beer. Its enough to ensure he can just think about beer full time. I am not suggesting this as a backdoor to helping myself.
Pivní Filosof - November 25, 2012 1:59 PM
To play the Devil's advocate. Part of the blame is Ron's (and the other people involved in this sort of project). They do this kind of thing because they would love to do it themselves at home, but they can't. It's mostly a passion thing. Or so it seems.
That said, brewers should at least offer to pay them a cut of the earnings from these beers.