Corporate Capitalism & Craft Beer. Contradictions continue
Thanks in part to James Beeson(@beesononbooze) and beer writer and historian Martyn Cornell the contradictions of capitalism and craft beer in the pre-Xmas period are in the public domain, good and not so good.
Brew By Numbers has announced the winter closure of its taproom to carry out unspecified works. BBNo is of course now owned by venture capitalists Breal. From this Thursday to December 31st BBNo together with Brick and Black Sheep two other breweries which Breal also own will be involved with a Snowglobe pop up on London’s Bankside. It sounds a bit more venture capital than beer but we’ll see.
Meanwhile Brewdog has announced the closure of Hawkes cidery and tap which is on Bermondsey Beer Mile. According to Brewdog inflationary pressure on costs and declining custom on the Beer Mile is behind the decision. Brewdog which bought Hawkes in 2018 says the brand will continue although where is less clear. Perhaps they will contract Eddie Grundy in Ambridge to do the job.
Better news comes from global brewer Asahi. Gales Prize Old Ale has been brewed again and will be released on 16th November. Beer writer and historian Martyn Cornell has written a fascinating piece on it which can be found on Dark Star’s Twitter. He notes that the last iteration was the fastest selling beer the then Dark Star had produced at Partridge Green. The 2023 version has been brewed at Meantime in Greenwich.
In summary capital and profit comes before beer here which is perhaps not great for BBNo but good for those of us who like Prize Old Ale. Capitalism is a system of contradictions
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