In November of 2014, Anheuser Busch purchased Oregon based 10 Barrel Brewing. Since then, the production facility has undergone an expansion, as well as adding brewpub concepts in Denver, Colorado, and this weekend – San Diego, California.
Craft beer fans in San Diego, one of America’s prominent beer cities, have been vocal about opposing 10 Barrel’s build. Breweries, fans as well as the San Diego Brewer’s Guild’s opposition is a fairly simple one. There are more than 100 homegrown craft breweries located in the city. The line between craft and big beer is becoming blurred day by day, especially when massive breweries like Anheuser Busch buy 10 Barrel Brewing. One of the direct issues, is their practice of opening up a new location and operate like a craft brewery, not mentioning their Anheuser ownership.
It is important to note that the “craft brewer” definition is not a legal term, but one outlined by the not-for-profit Brewer’s Association. (As well as a massive source of pride for those considered craft.)
Despite oppostion, the 10 Barrel Brewpub has been built in San Diego. This weekend a block party is planned to celebrate its grand opening. That won’t stop some folks from getting the last word.
A ’10 Barrel is Not Craft Beer’ banner attached to a plane will circle overhead for at least three hours this weekend during the party.
It all started with a GoFundMe page started by ‘San Diego Beer Fan’ now known as Richard Esparza, asking for $900 dollars in donations to rent the plane and fly the banner for three hours.
Not going to explain why I’m doing this. You either get it, or you don’t.
Update May 30th: The campaign has raised $4,840 dollars with one anonymous individual contributing $2,500 dollars alone. The next highest supporters gave as much as $200 a piece. Once the goal was exceeded, Esparza has posted another update:
I do have another ace up my sleeve and if the funds continue to come in, we will have another show of power.
The GoFundMe creator now planning a committee in order to direct the extra funds.
Banner reading “10 BARREL IS NOT CRAFT BEER” flys downtown. Many say the new brewery is bad for the city – https://t.co/ptHdAbIhGG @10News pic.twitter.com/1YJTt5dqDn
— Amanda Brandeis (@10NewsBrandeis) May 28, 2017
Image: By FlugKerl2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
