It's an unfortunate truth that we have found in starting Black Shirt Brewing Co that systems are in place in this country to keep the little guy from grabbing his piece of the pie. Whether it be landlords who, even in a time of recession and staggering vacancy, are afraid to give a new business a chance; or SBA who won't loan money to a startup company; or the Zoning and Planning administration that doesn't know how to read its own code, new businesses in America face a number of seemingly unsurmountable obstacles.
Even if a startup brewery can muster the strength to make it through all of these obstacles, (and keep in mind I haven't even touched on Permits, Licensing, Approvals, Inspections, etc) then we get to deal with INBEV and MillerMolsonCoors starving us out for position on the liquor store shelves. The latest disappointment in our "free market" comes from a new bill being introduced by Congress (and backed by big money distribution companies) that would put the power of deciding shipping laws of alcohol back in the State's hands. Instead of opening it up and allowing an interested consumer the ability to purchase our beer, these laws stand in the way. We can't just ship a bottle of beer to our friends in Reno because, oh no, it's illegal. Come on, damn it. Here we are in the midst of an unbelievably horrible recession, and we want to put up more walls?! Here is the article that fueled this morning's frustration:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_16622016
Even if a startup brewery can muster the strength to make it through all of these obstacles, (and keep in mind I haven't even touched on Permits, Licensing, Approvals, Inspections, etc) then we get to deal with INBEV and MillerMolsonCoors starving us out for position on the liquor store shelves. The latest disappointment in our "free market" comes from a new bill being introduced by Congress (and backed by big money distribution companies) that would put the power of deciding shipping laws of alcohol back in the State's hands. Instead of opening it up and allowing an interested consumer the ability to purchase our beer, these laws stand in the way. We can't just ship a bottle of beer to our friends in Reno because, oh no, it's illegal. Come on, damn it. Here we are in the midst of an unbelievably horrible recession, and we want to put up more walls?! Here is the article that fueled this morning's frustration:
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/opinions/ci_16622016
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