Velocity on BJ's, snobs and skeptics: Very corporate (duh).

Now, that's not to say, that the mall experience wouldn't certainly drive one to drink; however, BJ's may as well be called TGICB's! (Thank God It's Craft Beer).

Granted. However, to me, there's an inescapable element of willful deception in all this. It is not a brewpub, but is content to be viewed as one. I'm opposed to that, whether in a mall or an adpatively reused warehouse building somewhere. What it really is, is a handful of breweries and 50+ outlets. Craft Beer Outlet? has a certain ring.

[Robin Garr]

I'm opposed to that, whether in a mall or an adpatively reused warehouse building somewhere. What it really is, is a handful of breweries and 50+ outlets. Craft Beer Outlet? has a certain ring.

Excellent! Let's trademark it and license the term for royalties.

let me jump on this bandwagon and volunteer to open the first New Albanian Brewing in Louisville (except all our beer will be brewed in Indiana)
clancy can run the kitchen and we'll pay Roger a franchise fee

[Robin Garr]

let me jump on this bandwagon and volunteer to open the first New Albanian Brewing in Louisville (except all our beer will be brewed in Indiana)
clancy can run the kitchen and we'll pay Roger a franchise fee

Whoa! I'll handle PR pro bono!

I believe the beer is distributed by River City. According to Jim, the GM, the beer may be brewed by Sierra Nevada in the future with BJ's recipes.

I'm under the impression that a distributor cannot sell a product exlusively to a business. I'm not sure if this is true or if River City has to allow others to purchase beer if they want.

If anyone wants to give the place a chance and enjoy it for what it is, their happy hour is M-F 4-7 $2 off apps 1/2 price mini deep dish pizzas and their brews are discounted as well. My experiences with the place have been positive.

I'm under the impression that a distributor cannot sell a product exlusively to a business. I'm not sure if this is true or if River City has to allow others to purchase beer if they want.

Thanks -- that's where I was headed with this.

My girlfriend and I have been to BJ's twice. We found the food to be OK, nothing to rave about, but the portions (calorie counts) are huge. Lots of deep frying going on there. I doubt Michael Pollan types will find anything seasonal or local, and you would expect that from a chain. The interior relies heavily on mirrors, interior lighting, and TVs. I love sports as much as the next guy, but wonder why TVs are such a big deal when there is no game on. Most of ESPN is just talking heads blathering on about the latest 'man drama' - and that's not why I like sports.

The beer is acceptable but nothing noteworthy for Louisville brew pub supporters. Their Pale Ale expresses moderate sweetness with some hop flavor and mild bitterness. A good beer to transition from say, Killians or Bass towards BBC APA or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, but nothing to prepare for Hopslam or Hoptimus! They do make a German style wheat beer that is right on style, and therefore a much better effort than the locals, IMO. Upland's wheat exhibits too much 'gumball' flavor and no one else does south German wheat seriously, except for a limited run by BBC St. Matthews last summer. Hopefully, they will endear themselves by supporting local events such as Brew in the Zoo, and maybe Waterfront Wednesdays (they really need a beer sponsor besides AB), and who knows, maybe even the State Fair. Our local breweries and brewpubs have nutured a growing interest in craft beer and that's why we support them, that and the great brew!

I found Velocity's comments to be somewhat defensive - they get the message about supporting locals, but that does not fit into Velocity's self image of being Louisville's arbiter of all things young and hip. Too bad 'young and hip' (according to Velocity) does not mean educated! I believe there is a connection between consumerism and community, therefore it matters where we spend our money.

BTW, I've noticed Sheltowee beers by BBC (Main) at Liquor Barn. Does this also represent an attempt of 'exclusive' distribution? I found the IPA to be a great beer at a great price, deserving of publicity; the other is brewed for lighter tastes than mine.

I found Velocity's comments to be somewhat defensive - they get the message about supporting locals, but that does not fit into Velocity's self image of being Louisville's arbiter of all things young and hip. Too bad 'young and hip' (according to Velocity) does not mean educated! I believe there is a connection between consumerism and community, therefore it matters where we spend our money.

Right on, brother.

let me jump on this bandwagon and volunteer to open the first New Albanian Brewing in Louisville (except all our beer will be brewed in Indiana)
clancy can run the kitchen and we'll pay Roger a franchise fee

Whoa! I'll handle PR pro bono!

I'm in!! (I'll even throw a few rubber checks into the mix.........)

I believe the beer is distributed by River City. According to Jim, the GM, the beer may be brewed by Sierra Nevada in the future with BJ's recipes.

I'm under the impression that a distributor cannot sell a product exlusively to a business. I'm not sure if this is true or if River City has to allow others to purchase beer if they want.

I'll make the official River City comment and say that we do not distribute the "house" beers to BJ's. We do sell them some of their other draft offerings but none of the BJ's brands. My understanding is their beers are being distributed by Beer House out of Covington.

I'd be pretty surprised if Sierra would start brewing for these guys. I'm not sure how much volume all the BJ's do collectively, but I don't believe Sierra has much excess capacity. Of course, on the flip side, it would be much simpler to source all their product from one location as opposed to having it supplied from various breweries throughout the country.

Finally, as Broc said, Kentucky law would prohibit a distributor from offering a retailer exclusive access to any product. So I guess if someone really wanted to buy it, they could.

Clarification much appreciated.

Beer House is the distributor for BJs house beer. They came and I saw it on their truck. When I asked, it sounded like they were less then thrilled to carry it, at least so far, not going through enough I assume. They do have a full service bar. I am sure you could order BJ's beer from beer house, you might get it... Eventually....

Josh Thomas here (I'm using Lisa Hornung's login because I didn't want to waste my time to get a log-in on my own). While there's too much hiding-behind-the-keyboard, ivory tower braggadocio going on here for me to handle with one fell swoop (if you've got a problem with the writing or the topics, be man enough to write me personally. My email is jthomas@velocityweekly.com), I'd love to throw in my two cents

"[I'll] be surprised if the Porter from over yonder in Reno is any better than Matt's at Cumberland, and overall, if the Nevada imports can touch the quality of the local products at the BBCs, Cumberland, Browning's and NABC."

I never said BJ's was any better. I love a Nitro Porter, and I'm in Cumberland three or four times a week. In fact, I made no comparisons whatsoever about the quality of beer. I only said that it's just as fresh as a lot of breweries that beer folks go crazy over, so freshness shouldn't be an issue. Maybe you should take a better look at the article.

As for my support of Louisville's "independence," I'm a staunch supporter of local business. Just because a large company is how I put food on my table doesn't make me evil, and it doesn't make me ignorant or uneducated. Most of my money stays right here in Louisville, and I'm proud of it. But for those who hadn't noticed, our Bar Hopper feature runs weekly. Maybe you think we should just run a repeated five-week cycle of our local breweries? I'd venture to guess that everybody on this forum purchases plenty of products from corporations, but you probably turn a blind eye to yourselves. When I stated that BJ's puts a lot of money into local charities for cystic fibrosis - a disease I've lost family to, and a cause that's dear to my heart - I think that's a little passion for community. I'd venture to guess that some on this forum think that because they're providing beer to customers - and money in their own pocket - that's their passion for community. Maybe one day we can all aspire to your greatness and be above reproach, just as you are. Sorry if I've offended you, great god of beer.

What I find funny is that the god of beer hadn't even given the business a chance before calling me "clueless." I'm sure he'll find the beer distaseful and the atmosphere atrocious. But such is life. Some miserable folks always look for what's wrong so they'll have something to gripe about - preferably something they think they do better than others. (Kneeling down on one knee) So, great god of beer, please forgive me for not kissing your butt and tsk-tsking the big, bad, evil brewery for trying to provide people with a good time. Please forgive us for not having the discerning tastes that you have. Forgive me for working at Velocity to put food on my table and a roof over my head. In the Great God of Beer's name I pray.

Amen.

[Robin Garr]

Josh Thomas here (I'm using Lisa Hornung's login because I didn't want to waste my time to get a log-in on my own). While there's too much hiding-behind-the-keyboard, ivory tower braggadocio going on here for me to handle with one fell swoop (if you've got a problem with the writing or the topics, be man enough to write me personally. My email is jthomas@velocityweekly.com),.

Josh, thanks for posting. You know that you (like Lisa) are always welcome to post here.

I'd point out a couple of small things to you, though:

1. "Didn't want to waste my time" is kind of a rude way to talk to a large, active, LOCAL community of foodies who you are so kindly gracing with your opinions. Did your Mom teach you to talk like that?

2. "hiding-behind-the-keyboard" seems like an odd charge, too. This forum requires real names - with the small caveat that those who are too shy to use full names are welcome to use a name-and-a-half as long as I know who they are. We don't do handles and nicks here. Does Velocity or the CJ have a similar procedure to insure civility on their blogs?

3. Again, thanks for your post, although I'm still a bit confused about how an invitation to engage you in private Email serves the community better than a civil, open discussion in public.

I'll reserve further comment on the spectacle of a Gannettoid supporting a national chain ... it's just too easy.

A couple of curious questions, though, if you're willing to answer them:

* Are you over 30 or under? I have a guess but would rather not make it without more info.

* Do yuh come from around here? Where'd yuh go to school? I know Lisa is an old-time Louisville girl ...

On your points:
1. What I didn't want to waste my time on was waiting for a day-long confirmation of email address, sign-on info, etc. I wanted on ASAP while your visitors were still commenting. I wonder if everyone on here's mothers teach them to belittle someone personally ("uneducated," "clueless") because they felt their opinion's superior to others'? Not very civil.

2 and 3. As for hiding behind the keyboards: I don't have any control over the CJ's or the Velocity's posting policies, so that's a moot point. And I say they "hide behind the keyboard" because I'm sure very few of them are so brash in the real world. It's the freedom of blogs: Be juvenile and criticize at your computer. And you can have your "civil" discussions (once again, though, criticizing someone personally whom you don't know in a patronizing tone is far from civil if you ask me), but if I'm so wrong in my opinion, and obviously I'm an idiot for thinking the way I do, wouldn't the civil thing to do is to educate my tiny brain and immature palate? No one's offered their services yet, but I'd sure be open to someone buying me a beer and showing me the light. Maybe offer me a few free rounds? That would be an excellent way to show passion for community.

As for your last two questions: These questions have no bearing on the issue, unless you're saying that age and place of birth matter as to how distinguished one's tastes are.

I'm 28, and I'm not from Louisville, although again I don't see why that matters. I've been frequenting Louisville establishments for the past 10 years.

My point in all this, of course, was not to tell you that the posters on this forum were wrong on their opinions of beer and food - everyone's entitled to their opinion - only to point out that their manner of stating them (the personal attacks, presuppositions of my habits based on a 14-inch story) is juvenile and without merit.

But I'll lose no sleep. I've said my piece. I wish the posters - and host - nothing but good fortune. That's what folks who care about community do.