Hear our prayer. Remember the money lenders and the false prophets? They are back, Lord. The shadowy Portman Group is back. A trade industry organization representing macro brewers pretending they are an independent consumer-protection organization. Lord, hear our prayers.
It's been over three years since these imposing imposters pretended to have authority and used their market share to crush the small and interesting. Hardknott Brewery is the focus now. A tiny brewery lacking in their resources - mammon, coins of silver, call it what you will. The sort of victim a thick bully especially likes. Fortunately, Hardknott is both hard and knotted firm. He will have none of it. Can't say that for the pathetic apologists in the comments. Look at this: "...campaign for a change within the trade rather than going for cheap publicity stunts"!?!? And this: "...the people there are excellent and far from to-ing and a-froing you'll get the right advice back quick smart. Use em - it's why their there!" Shocked. If this were an attack on Parliament, we would shout "I SEE STRANGERS"!!! If this were Norway, plucky Norway, we would hear accusations of "collaborationist"!!! Those responses read like they were written by someone who dreams of a future as a tenuously employed regional newspaper beer column scribe.
And why? All over calling a drink a "tonic" as if someone else owned the word. FIGHT!!!
In other news, more photos for the Xmas photo contest 2012 pour in. Up top is an action photo. Taken this very week which is particularly exciting. An image of Ron Pattinson at the library table researching... the researchers apparently. Ron caught a glimpse of his own dark soul as he coveted the cameras of others. Below we have the submissions of a fan favorite, Lars Marius Garshol of Oslo, Norway. A strong selection this year as every year from Lars.
Next up is Jeff Alworth, fresh back from a tour of Europe, he of Beervana has sent in these images from Rodenbach, Orval, Fuller's, the GABF, Boon, Caledonian, Cantillon and Casks of Old Brewery Bitter... in reverse order.
Matt Wiater of Portland Oregon wins the "Matt Can't Count" Award for 2012 because he has sent in other 6 entries. But they are good. I like the Decshutes Brewery Black Butte XXIII labels. I like the BridgePort Brewing Bottling Line. So, I am posting them.
Stan Hieronymus, he of Appellation Beer, has sent in these four photos. I know which one I like. Looks like a vineyard. Smells like a hop yard.
I might post some more. But that's a start. We are up to around 130 entries for this year with days and days to go. Remember: FIGHT!!! But send in photo contest entries, too.