TOPIC:

I've been kicking around the idea of creating an 'Is It Craft' database (after I accidentally drank a bottle of Magic Hat). The database could be used in an App- either type in the name or scan the barcode and you'll be told if the beer is craft or not. Of course, the first page of the App will define the word 'Craft' in the context that the app uses it.

Good idea, that stuff is pure cack!

But what's craft?

Google "craft v crafty" for all the messy details, but in brief:

The Brewers Association put out a statement[/url:2kzbu43z] last December attacking big breweries for not labeling honestly. They also released this chart[/url:2kzbu43z] - since taken down, tellingly - showing who didn't fit their definition[/url:2kzbu43z] of small, independent and traditional (i.e. all malt).

The backlash was swift and harsh.

Kurt Widmer said in an interview with All About Beer (not online yet) that, after pioneering the US craft movement and brewing the same beers for 30 years, it's absurd that he's suddenly not "craft" anymore because he sold a minority share to ABInbev just to access their distribution.

August Schell wrote in an open letter[/url:2kzbu43z]:
[quote:2kzbu43z]As a 152-year-old brewery, and the second oldest family-owned brewery in America, stating that we are not “traditional” is insulting.[/quote:2kzbu43z]
but also explained, fascinatingly, that adding corn to their lager was a 19th century hack to lighten the protein load, so they shouldn't really be considered an adjunct brewer, either.

This[/url:2kzbu43z] sums both sides of the debate pretty well and this[/url:2kzbu43z] makes some good points, comparing craft breweries taken over by macros to indie bands signing with major labels and pointing out that people generally just drink good beer no matter who makes it.

I think the app is a great idea, and I'd be glad to help, but do you really want to open this can of worms?

Easy: craft=!macro (translation: craft equals NOT macro)

So maybe the App should be "Is it macro?" or "Who brewed this?"

"Andrew":17rfl8ef wrote: Easy: craft=!macro (translation: craft equals NOT macro)

So maybe the App should be "Is it macro?" or "Who brewed this?"[/quote:17rfl8ef]

The name change seems like a good idea. If you're concerned about transparency of provenance and about brewery size, then it's better to avoid getting caught up in debates about who's entitled to call their beer 'craft'.

Agreed on the name change because you could also catch all the contract- and cuckoo-brewed beers.