Recently I went to a conference on craft beer in San Francisco in which all of the top craft brewers were there. Sam Calgione of Dogfish Head Brewery, Greg Koch of Stone Brewing and many more were in attendance. The swarms of new and old craft brewers gathered around them to hear their stories and to ask them questions just like sitting around an elder at a campfire to hear their tales of old. I for one was one of them wishing to gain some insight on the do's and don'ts on starting and maintaining your new craft brewery.
I was very starstruck when I first saw them and was admitably shy in approaching them because to me I had held these guys in the same class as Steven Tyler or Bono. I had read articles and seen them in movies and tv. To me these were the guys that started the craft brewery revolution that I am now a part of. Walking up to them was like walking up to Tom Hanks for an autograph, thinking that they are way to important to even say hello to me.
Dressed in slightly torn jeans, t-shirt with some funny slogan and either a casual sport coat for the dress up look or a long sleeve flannel their voices became audible amungst the cacophony of voices in the hotel lobby. They were laughing and joking with the others that stood around them answering questions and sometimes signing autographs. They gave out advise to those that wanted it and told stories about their beginnings and some funny antidotes about the first time they delivered their product to the consumers.
I noticed that we were the same. They have obviously been in business for quite a bit longer but nonetheless we were on the same playing field. It was a good feeling to think that we could one day be equals in this business of brewing.
So I began to think, with my initial thoughts about these guys I believed them to hold the same status as my favorite rockstars. I looked at the fact that they have been plastered all over the media and sought after by talk show hosts and cable networks to come talk or share their experiences.
I started to think about the tasting events that I have been attending lately. Even with our little brewery that's just getting started the people at the events have been looking up to me as an expert in the field, treating me as if I were one of the greats. With the craft beer revolution in full swing people are looking up to the brewers as if they were gods. These brewers are making a product that brings joy to the masses. Creating new flavors that no one has ever had before stimulating the senses of everyone who tries them.
The articles and media that I've been seeing has elevated the brewer to new heights so much so that they are cheered for and followed on social networks as much as anybody famous.
So I ask the question, "Are Craft Brewers The New Rockstars?"
