Boombozz Taphouse BoomBrew Amber

"But its the same beer every time."

Absolutely, and thanks so much for the compliment. We strive for consistency here at the BBC. We do have many custom named beers. Over the years many of our beers have gone by custom names in our customers venues. For example Caesar's Gold, Rabbit Hash, Lou Lou Lager, Audubon Member's Ale, Cole Porter, Bearno's Cardinal Ale, DCE Stout, and most recently Derby City Roller Girls Heartbreaker Ale. We do custom brew beers for several customers, but that involves the customer commiting to buying an entire batch. Many of the custom named beers are customers who want very much to have a fully customized recipe but can not make a commitment to buy and entire batch of beer. So we make the sacrafice to let them rename the beer in hopes that each one of them will one day be able to afford to contract a custom beer recipe of their own. The Liquor Barn "Sheltowee" brand we brew has been a hugly successful venture between our two companies. Growing into four distinctively different recipes from any other that we brew are, Gold, IPA, 502, Gloomsucker. We are fully commited to helping our customers as much as possible while maintaining the quality and consistency the Louisville has come to expect from us.

Thanks

Maybe I'm missing the bigger picture or the forest for the trees or.....(insert favorite adage here)

but, why doesn't a restaurant just serve a standard-named BBC beer instead of selling me the idea that a beer is "its own" and "distinct" when it is neither?

That's not to say I'm not going to support either Tony's or the Taproom (planning to go tonight I do believe), but something about this marketing arrangement doesn't seem to be totally in the clear.

My thought is-Go Have Fun and ENJOY something Local-Beer and Pizza!

Why doesn't a restaurant just serve a standard-named BBC beer instead of selling me the idea that a beer is "its own" and "distinct" when it is neither?

Joel's thoughtful answer subtly hinted at the nature of the ethical discussion from the brewer's point of view, i.e., the eternal art vs. commerce debate.

To me, Matthew D's is an insightful query. A label beer is a shortcut, and a bit deceptive -- why take it, and why be it?

Gosh,
Is it me or do I detect a little bit of disdain in this thread? Are we turning against some of our own locals? I give Tony an A for effort for his beer selection. I think he found a nice middle ground between the true beer connoisseur and the casual beer drinker... Somewhere between Rich O's and Wicks. There is something there to please everyone. A C+ grade from Roger? I would definitely take that as a compliment. To me, that's an A++ from a normal person. As for BBC, is it OK to criticize now that Pierce is gone? BBC has been doing this for a while and why the critique now? I think Joel did a good job in explaining why they do that label stuff. It's the same category as hotels putting their names on pens or getting a Louisville Slugger bat with your name on it. It's cooperation between two businesses to further both brands. Does that decrease the quality of either brand?

Why doesn't a restaurant just serve a standard-named BBC beer instead of selling me the idea that a beer is "its own" and "distinct" when it is neither?

Agreed. It does seem to me that the gesture of a "BoomBrew" would be more meaningful if it was a unique recipe and not merely a relabeling. I respect a company's right to make a profit, but the lifeblood of craft brewing is innovation. The people who really care about beer would be more than willing to embrace a new brew from BBC under the name BoomBrew, so why utilize mock creativity when the real thing will do. That is unless the target audience is apt to choose a beer for mere novelty's sake. (In that case, serve Wild Blue )

Nevertheless, I do feel like I must echo Matt's sentiment that this is not an indictment of either Boombozz or BBC. I intend to continue eating and drinking at both well into the future.

Are we turning against some of our own locals? I give Tony an A for effort for his beer selection. I think he found a nice middle ground between the true beer connoisseur and the casual beer drinker... Somewhere between Rich O's and Wicks. There is something there to please everyone. A C+ grade from Roger? I would definitely take that as a compliment. To me, that's an A++ from a normal person.

We're definitely not turning against our own locals here. If anything, we're attempting to advance the cause of local brewing and help Tony by offering the constructive suggestions he asked for in his post.

He has picked out some good beers, but I wouldn't go quite so far as to call it a middle ground between Rich O's and Wick's. When I venture out to the Taproom, I'm only thinking about the pizza (which happens to be my favorite in town.) The fact that there area couple of beers there that I enjoy (and am morally secure endorsing) is just an added bonus.

However, if you look at the grade Roger assigned, he chose a C+ both because of what is and isn't on tap. Mockrobrews, quite simply, are deceitful. They're kind of like those invisible fences people use to keep dogs in the yard: it may seem like you're free to roam wherever you would like, but its the chains we don't see that are often the most dangerous. Macrobreweries tend to treat people like animals anyway, so its only natural that they put collars on us as well.

I do recognize that being an iconoclast or an idealist isn't for everyone, but I really don't believe that serving Shock Top and Blue Moon (or Bud Light for that matter) is necessary for the financial solvency of a business. Especially not a business whose primary product is as good as Tony's, or one who has such a devoted following.

Gosh,
Is it me or do I detect a little bit of disdain in this thread? Are we turning against some of our own locals? I give Tony an A for effort for his beer selection. I think he found a nice middle ground between the true beer connoisseur and the casual beer drinker... Somewhere between Rich O's and Wicks. There is something there to please everyone. A C+ grade from Roger? I would definitely take that as a compliment. To me, that's an A++ from a normal person. As for BBC, is it OK to criticize now that Pierce is gone? BBC has been doing this for a while and why the critique now? I think Joel did a good job in explaining why they do that label stuff. It's the same category as hotels putting their names on pens or getting a Louisville Slugger bat with your name on it. It's cooperation between two businesses to further both brands. Does that decrease the quality of either brand?

In my last post I made a mistake in quoting Joel's post and not Tony's. I agree with Roger's post that Joel did provide useful background knowledge concerning the BBC's role in the arrangement. I'm not totally in agreement with that business model, but I am going to leave that alone for now.

My issue, really, is with Tony's advertisement which, to remind you, read:

"June 9th, 5pm Tapping of Keg, The newly opened and redesigned Boombozz Taphouse on Bardstown and Eastern Parkway starts out the summer season with the release of its own BoomBrew Amber exclusively at the Tap House. The distinctive brew will be tapped and pints will be sold for $2 until the keg stands no more!"

I guess it's a matter of how we want to define exclusively and distinctive. Is the beer distinctive because it is one of a kind (because it is not) or is that batch of beer (whatever it is labeled) somehow distinctive (because it probably is)? In regards to exclusive, am I to believe that particular beer is exclusive to Boombooz (which it is not) or that beer under a particular label is exclusive to Boombooz( which it is).

Furthermore, if I was to go to Boombozz and ask the bartender, "Hey, would you please tell me about this BoomBrew Amber" what would I be told? Am I going to hear it is a one-of-a-kind exclusive brew? Am I going to hear that it is a BBC recipe specially labeled for this particular location?

So, no I am not turning on "some of our locals." I just don't think we should give someone a pass on shady advertising merely because he is, let's say, one of us.

I did make it clear in my earlier post that I expect to fully support both of these establishments. And, from my perspective (and Robin has said this again and again) we are free to fairly and constructively criticize any local establishment, regardless of who is in charge. If Pierce (whom I don't know) was still at BBC, I'd still be making this point.

I do recognize that being an iconoclast or an idealist isn't for everyone, but I really don't believe that serving Shock Top and Blue Moon (or Bud Light for that matter) is necessary for the financial solvency of a business. Especially not a business whose primary product is as good as Tony's, or one who has such a devoted following.

I agree with the majority of your post, but disagree here. I really have no problem with a place serving macrobrews. While some people may make it their mission to change the habits of consumers by refusing to serve macrobrews, most establishments merely respond to popular demand (although they may also be shaping this demand by what they do and do not offer).

My approach is simple. Drink local, if not local independent, and never corporate if at all possible. So at the Bats I find the Browning's tap, at Jockamo's I turn to the BBC tap, etc. When such options are not available (like at Churchill Downs), I don't drink. But, I'd never make it my mission to tell a business that they should not act in their best financial interest by ignoring customer demand.

Having said all this, when the decisions are up to me, I tend to go local first, so Cumberland over Za's, for instance. Or drinking only NABC beer at NABC, etc.

I would be much more likely to stop into the Taproom if the beer list was as deep and cheap as that of Za's. But on Bardstown Road they have the best beer list.

[Robin Garr]

I agree with the majority of your post, but disagree here. I really have no problem with a place serving macrobrews. While some people may make it their mission to change the habits of consumers by refusing to serve macrobrews, most establishments merely respond to popular demand (although they may also be shaping this demand by what they do and do not offer).

That's fair, but I would like it a lot better if Tony would separate out Blue Moon and Shock Top from the CRAFT BEERS list. It would be entirely fair (and not negative) to list them under SPECIALTY LABELS FROM MAJOR BREWERS or something, and I think would quickly solve the advertising and respect issues that are being kicked around here.

[Robin Garr]

And, from my perspective (and Robin has said this again and again) we are free to fairly and constructively criticize any local establishment, regardless of who is in charge.

Correctamundo. Civil criticism is best. Constructive criticism is especially useful. And potentially actionable criticism that could subject moi to litigation would be problematical, although in reality, I can't recall if this has ever happened here.

I don't ever want this forum to turn into the online equivalent of those giveaway restaurant magazines that "see no evil." Call 'em as you see 'em, folks, with the added advice that keeping criticism civil, intelligent and fair makes for the best discussions of all.

I do recognize that being an iconoclast or an idealist isn't for everyone, but I really don't believe that serving Shock Top and Blue Moon (or Bud Light for that matter) is necessary for the financial solvency of a business. Especially not a business whose primary product is as good as Tony's, or one who has such a devoted following.

I agree with the majority of your post, but disagree here. I really have no problem with a place serving macrobrews. While some people may make it their mission to change the habits of consumers by refusing to serve macrobrews, most establishments merely respond to popular demand (although they may also be shaping this demand by what they do and do not offer).

We actually don't disagree on that point. I do oppose macrobrews when possible, but like I said I recognize that not everyone shares my views.

But, I'd never make it my mission to tell a business that they should not act in their best financial interest by ignoring customer demand.

Also, I wasn't advocating sinking a business for the sake of principles. I was merely remarking that Boombozz pizza is so good that it wouldn't surprise me if the sales of Shock Top and Blue Moon didn't constitute a large portion of their sales. I really have no way of knowing for certain, but was merely offering my own viewpoint.

Besides, you know I'm very pro-business ( ) and would never dream of imposing any sort of regulation that harms their financial stability. That's why I agree with your tactic of informed consumerism, and utilize it whenever possible.

That's fair, but I would like it a lot better if Tony would separate out Blue Moon and Shock Top from the CRAFT BEERS list. It would be entirely fair (and not negative) to list them under SPECIALTY LABELS FROM MAJOR BREWERS or something, and I think would quickly solve the advertising and respect issues that are being kicked around here.

That's really an excellent idea. I believe informed consumption has been the prevailing theme of this thread, and that would allow Tony to reap the profits while shining a light on the deception that is mockrobrewing.

A C+ grade from Roger? I would definitely take that as a compliment. To me, that's an A++ from a normal person.

I suppose that depends on what you mean by normal.

I'd write more, but I'm waiting for the mountains to turn blue on my cans of Coors Light so that I'm insured against warm swill.

Not.

WTF people. My wife and I went there tonight and had some $2 pints of BBC. Talked to Beckman and Phillip from BBC. We had a good time ,enjoyed the beer, and company. It's a local brewery, and a local pizza place. What else do you want ? Argue semantics? Look I'm in the pizza business,right down the street. The great thing about pizza over another food is we all make it different and it's all good. If we all made the same pizza life would suck. Go see Tony and Beckman this week and come see me next week and I'll buy you a BBC. Celebrate local pizza and local beer. It's made by BBC, who cares what you call it.