Say it aint so: Craft beer distributors support Prohibition

I think it’s meant to be a "drugs is drugs" argument - like they’re all bad?

Originally posted by TheArrogantBastard
Stone is not a part of this. This caught us off guard. We are merely a non-voting Allied Member of this trade group (CA Beer & Beverage Distributors aka CBBD). As such, Stone Brewing does not / cannot participate in the political action decisions of the CBBD.

The organization that most directly represents the political interests of the Stone Brewing Co. is the California Small Brewers Association (CSBA), and the CSBA organization does not make a habit of chiming in, one way or the other, on non-beer related political issues. Same for the Stone Brewing Co...we’re not political animals and we prefer to keep it that way.

We regret that it has been inferred that Stone is associated with this decision of the CBBD, as quite simply, we are not.

-Greg.
Stone Brewing Co.

I agree. This certainly is a beer issue to the extent that we as consumers make buying decisions in part based on the company image that the breweries themselves cultivate. That image is regularly based on its relationship to other environmental, public health, alternative energy and other social causes within the larger community. Greg was kind enough to offer a reply but that reply leaves some questions for Stone and especially the other brewers involved (Sierra and New Belgium!)

a) Will brewers involved offer any feedback to the CBBD?

b) Will the CBBD web site clarify the craft brewers role within the association? Because the web site certainly makes it seem that craft brewers are involved.

c) All the brewers that may have had a problem with this political action remain paying and cooperating members of this group. What of this?

I am a big champion of craft beer. I’ve dedicated many years of my life to it. So it’s important for me and our readers to understand what seem like very important changes in the craft beer landscape. If companies are going to put out PR about how good they are to the environment, and how socially conscious they are, then it means they should have their ducks in a row when it comes to related political policies as well. As the consumers’ advocate, I am not quite seeing this from any of the other brewers involved.


Kudos to Greg Koch and Stone though for stepping up with a reply. I certainly would like to see public statements from New Belgium and Sierra.


I don’t think this is a huge deal, but it does speak to changes afoot in the industry which make for some very strange bedfellows.

Hello,

Sierra Nevada does not support this measure by the California Beer and Beverage Distributors.

We had no knowledge that this action was going to take place, and we’ve asked them to remove us from their list of members, and to dissociate the brewery from any future action.

Read our official position below:

This week, the California Beer and Beverage Distributors (CBBD) has come out against California Proposition 19 also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. The CBBD is an industry group that represents the interests of beer distributors and members. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and many other independent craft brewers are associate members of the CBBD.
Although we are members of this organization, we were neither consulted, nor informed of their decision to take a stand against California Proposition 19. Sierra Nevada’s role as an associate member grants no access or influence on the political agendas of the CBBD, and we had no knowledge of the organization’s intention to fight this ballot proposition.
The CBBD does not represent Sierra Nevada’s political interest in any way, and does not represent the brewery’s stance on the issue. We’ve requested the CBBD to remove our name from their list of members, and also to disassociate the brewery from this and any future political actions.
Over the past three decades, Sierra Nevada has maintained neutrality concerning political issues. We feel that people have the obligation to choose what is right for themselves without influence from outside interests.
We regret any implied association with this action by the CBBD, and maintain our independence and neutrality regarding matters of politics.


I hope this clears things up.

Cheers!

-Bill

Originally posted by palealebill
Hello,

Sierra Nevada does not support this measure by the California Beer and Beverage Distributors.

...

I hope this clears things up.

Cheers!

-Bill

Originally posted by palealebill
Hello,

Sierra Nevada does not support this measure by the California Beer and Beverage Distributors.

We had no knowledge that this action was going to take place, and we’ve asked them to remove us from their list of members, and to dissociate the brewery from any future action.

Read our official position below:
~snip~
I hope this clears things up.

Cheers!

-Bill

Originally posted by palealebill
Hello,

Sierra Nevada does not support this measure by the California Beer and Beverage Distributors.

We had no knowledge that this action was going to take place, and we’ve asked them to remove us from their list of members, and to dissociate the brewery from any future action.

Read our official position below:

This week, the California Beer and Beverage Distributors (CBBD) has come out against California Proposition 19 also known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010. The CBBD is an industry group that represents the interests of beer distributors and members. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and many other independent craft brewers are associate members of the CBBD.
Although we are members of this organization, we were neither consulted, nor informed of their decision to take a stand against California Proposition 19. Sierra Nevada’s role as an associate member grants no access or influence on the political agendas of the CBBD, and we had no knowledge of the organization’s intention to fight this ballot proposition.
The CBBD does not represent Sierra Nevada’s political interest in any way, and does not represent the brewery’s stance on the issue. We’ve requested the CBBD to remove our name from their list of members, and also to disassociate the brewery from this and any future political actions.
Over the past three decades, Sierra Nevada has maintained neutrality concerning political issues. We feel that people have the obligation to choose what is right for themselves without influence from outside interests.
We regret any implied association with this action by the CBBD, and maintain our independence and neutrality regarding matters of politics.


I hope this clears things up.

Cheers!

-Bill

why can’t a brewery choose to be pro-beer and anti-drug? Drugs and beer are not necessarily chemically equivalent (esp depending on the drug) and not morally equivalent under the law. Plus, there are legitimate business reasons to oppose legalization of drugs in this instance.

I can understand a brewery’s desire to remain neutral but I also understand that they might have contributed to the California Beer & Beverage Distributors for other business reasons and not specifically in support of their stance on prop 19.

I give politically but that doesn’t mean that I support every position taken by the recipient of my donation. Plus, this is complicated by business relationships.

Alcohol and nicotine are drugs as well. And I see no reason scientific or otherwise that marijuana is any more harmful than alcohol or tobacco. I personally consider todays marijuana laws to be prohabition and can’t see how it would interfer with beer sales, heck it might help increase them.
Cudos to Stone and Sierra Nevada for stating their position.

Originally posted by bhops
why can’t a brewery choose to be pro-beer and anti-drug? Drugs and beer are not necessarily chemically equivalent (esp depending on the drug) and not morally equivalent under the law. Plus, there are legitimate business reasons to oppose legalization of drugs in this instance.

I can understand a brewery’s desire to remain neutral but I also understand that they might have contributed to the California Beer & Beverage Distributors for other business reasons and not specifically in support of their stance on prop 19.

I give politically but that doesn’t mean that I support every position taken by the recipient of my donation. Plus, this is complicated by business relationships.

Originally posted by bhops
why can’t a brewery choose to be pro-beer and anti-drug?