Brewed Beverage of Choice: A Cup of Green Tea
There is a discussion brewing (no pun intended) within our local swing dance scene on steps we need to take rebuild our community. As always, a topic such as this brings out some very good suggestions and some not so good. And despite the fact that we all cannot agree on everything, we must remember that there are two important factors that are coming out: one is that there is open discussion, and two, that people care about their local communities.
There is a similar conversation going on amongst brewers within the brewing community, especially considering the crisis regarding hop and grain prices and the lack of farmers growing both. The other day, while we were brewing the Glen Hay Falconer Legacy Brew, a few of us touched on the topic. Christine from Craft Brew Cast asked me specifically about my essay which helped win the Falconer Scholarship. A lot of what I wrote was specifically about how we as brewers must take more interest in the smaller things in brewing like grain and hop farmers. We do well within the craft brewing industry with marketing, maintaining the community of brewers, and educating the general public. But the time has come now where we as brewers must be more involved not only with the farmers, but also the local community around our specific brewers.
I grew up in a small, rural community. What I took away from that upbringing was the value of business owners helping out the community when it was down on its luck. People I recognize and admired were men and women like the grocery store owner, the local publican, and the restaurateur. These people went out of their way to help people in times of crisis. How did we repay them? By giving them business even though something cheaper was a mere 7 miles away. We in the community, at least the new breed that seems to be coming up, are very aware of this need as business owners and brewers. Roots Organic, for example, are donating some of the profits from the sale of one of their beers to help with a local watershed. And now with the grain and hop prices the way they are, we as brewers and owners must take more responsibility in those areas.
I wrote in my essay about my admiration for the owner of Stumptown Coffee Roaster. He goes to every farm and inspects it thoroughly. Everything from quality of the bean to the conditions the workers endure. If one thing is wrong, he will not buy the coffee. He was on record for paying the most per pound for a crop of coffee beans. It is this aspect that I believe brewers and brewery owners must actively pursue. We must go to the farmers of the grain and the hops, meet them and take interest in their work. We should be willing to pay them more so in turn they can plant more, make more, and earn a living. If they saw us as a face and not as an image, they may be more willing to help us out and not plant corn instead of barley. We should take care of our own.
So as I was walking my dog, contemplating the plight of the local swing dance community, I could not help but think of what we as brewers need to do to help rebuild our community. People can only handle so much globalization and mass marketing before they realize their identity is being stripped. I think I have been on my high horse long enough. I will get off now because I think I have developed some saddle sores. Support your local businesses.
Prost!
the confucian brewer (soon to lose his anonymity.)