lessons the Port industry could learn from Craft Beer

[Eric Menchen]

Moderator's note: this topic was split from this topic and formerly followed the first post.

A lot could be learned from the craft beer industry. It isn't quite as nice as as say five or ten years ago, but there is still plenty of collaboration, established breweries helping start-ups, etc. I know of many local examples, and while I don't love a lot of Sam Adams beers, I still drink some of their products upon occasion because they have been such a positive supporter of other craft breweries and homebrewers for years.

[Andy Velebil]

A lot could be learned from the craft beer industry. It isn't quite as nice as as say five or ten years ago, but there is still plenty of collaboration, established breweries helping start-ups, etc. I know of many local examples, and while I don't love a lot of Sam Adams beers, I still drink some of their products upon occasion because they have been such a positive supporter of other craft breweries and homebrewers for years.

You mean Sam Adams isn't a micro brewery anymore?

[Paul Fountain]

A lot could be learned from the craft beer industry. It isn't quite as nice as as say five or ten years ago, but there is still plenty of collaboration, established breweries helping start-ups, etc. I know of many local examples, and while I don't love a lot of Sam Adams beers, I still drink some of their products upon occasion because they have been such a positive supporter of other craft breweries and homebrewers for years.

You mean Sam Adams isn't a micro brewery anymore?

Well they do keep having to change the size definition for a craft brewery to be able to fit Sam Adams into the association. The likes of Sierra Nevada, Brooklyn and Stone aren't exactly small either (and they are just the ones that get imported legitimately)
I think Eric is right though, as on the whole, the craft beer industry plays pretty well together, both within their own regions and internationally.

Having said that I've seen some good things within the wine world in 2015. The Return to Terroir biodynamic tasting that happens around the world is a really good example. It has been to Melbourne twice now and many in the group chose to come out and exhibit, even if their wine wasn't being imported. There is a Riesling group that runs events internationally as well, that I think do a pretty good job. There is always room for improvement though