The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission on Friday is set to hand down an unprecedented 90-day license suspension to a beer distributor that paid Boston bars tens of thousands of dollars to carry its beers and freeze out competitors.

http://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/massachusetts-to-hit-craft-brewers-guild-with-90-day-license-suspension-for-pay-to-play-deals.385431/

That is amazing. A lot like the music industry
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I know that the few distributors in RI have a monopoly. Protected by laws that will not allow any competition. Was told that RI will not allow mail order wine to be delivered to citizens in the state because of this monopoly. Maybe this is a connection to long ago control by organized crime.

I think that twitter rant is why Pretty Things is no more. The little guy tried to buck the system rigged against him in a very public forum and pissed off the establishment. It seemed odd to me that they closed up shop. Seemed like they were doing well and had a fan base. If they got muscled out by bars and distributors because after that rant they had the ABC all over them, well, I guess that would make more sense. I could be completely talking out of my arse as well. Wouldn't be the first time.

Dennis, sometimes RI is so like Jersey. sometimes.....

From what I have been able to piece together, Martha posted something and then their distributor was the one to get dinged and now suspended. Been hearing that was Jim Koch's issue as well, but he blasted the woman at Row 34 instead of the industry at large. Payola, just like the old rock radio days only for beer. Still chasing down some Pretty Things Fumapapa and Meadowlark in the mean time.

Also something on BA site about Bar Rescue a$$hat spouting off about 60% of craft beer being crap.

I just want to drink good beer with good people, that's all. Not this mess. Pretty Things was very good beer and Dann and Martha were very, very good people. Miss 'em and their Pretty Beers and Ales!

Just drug dealers doing what drug dealers do.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Just drug dealers doing what drug dealers do.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That's an irresponsible statement.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That's an irresponsible statement.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
How do you mean irresponsible? If my reminding people alcohol is a drug and they reduce their use of it they will live a better life potentially.
I abused alcohol and other drugs throughout my life and found alcohol to be the most harmful and potentially dangerous of them all.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I think that twitter rant is why Pretty Things is no more. The little guy tried to buck the system rigged against him in a very public forum and pissed off the establishment. It seemed odd to me that they closed up shop. Seemed like they were doing well and had a fan base. If they got muscled out by bars and distributors because after that rant they had the ABC all over them, well, I guess that would make more sense. I could be completely talking out of my arse as well. Wouldn't be the first time.

this is pure speculation, but it could be that they were in financial trouble and these payments were putting them further into the hole so they decided to expose it..

There's no doubt alcohol is dangerous, but there are millions of people using alcohol responsibly every day, which is not the case with many drugs (like heroin).

There's no doubt alcohol is dangerous, but there are millions of people using alcohol responsibly every day, which is not the case with many drugs (like heroin).

Very true but I don't see advertising for heroine or other recreational drugs. Alcohol and it's use is somewhat celebrated or in the very least condoned by most. If I start a thread about Marijuana how would that be received?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

My intentions were to just remind people it is a harmful drug and this website does have underage members.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Alcohol is legal. This is a beer forum. If you start a thread about marijuana it should go in the proper forum. I don't know what that forum is. Calling beer distributors drug dealers is as assinign as calling the kid at dunkin donuts a drug dealer.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Also, it is a potentially harmful drug. Science indicates that the way the vast majority of people use it, it is a beneficial drug.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That's an irresponsible statement.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I think there is a similarity in the business models of said distributor's actions and illegal dealers staking out their turf. Making that comparison would not be irresponsible, IMO.

Getting a little off topic folks. Please keep to the topic and start other threads for other stuff.

On the topic, there was some talk of issues with the 22 oz format, but me thinks that is BS. Others do the same and Maine does 16.9 oz format and they all seem to be doing fine. Dann said at one point that PTBAP was a "project" and supposed to be temporary. Maybe just took on a life of its own (thankfully so). Hope that they start anew and do great in whatever that may be. Again, my personal favorite "beer people". Miss 'em.

Alcohol is legal. This is a beer forum. If you start a thread about marijuana it should go in the proper forum. I don't know what that forum is. Calling beer distributors drug dealers is as assinign as calling the kid at dunkin donuts a drug dealer.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
Caffeine isn't really harmful but I will refrain from calling it an asinine comparison. Alcohol ruins many people's lives and sometimes a simple reminder it's a harmful drug may keep an underage person from ever trying it and they will avoid the potential pitfalls of its use.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Sugar is the worst drug of all
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Next thing you know,all the young,impressionable members will assume that fishermen drink and smoke. I am here to say that I have met some that do neither,some that do both,some who just choose one.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That's an irresponsible statement.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'd go so far as to say it was an idiotic statement :rolleyes:
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'd go so far as to say it was an idiotic statement :rolleyes:
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That was my first thought, but I try to give the benefit of the doubt. Even to people who don't have a clue. He jumped in and basically took a thread in a beer forum that was interesting and decided to put down members of the site by calling them drug addicts. It's both idiotic and irresponsible.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

The Beer forum is a Happy Place....

You want to get on your soap box head on over the Pit of Despair (aka the Political Forum)
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'd go so far as to say it was an idiotic statement :rolleyes:
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I always look forward to your response...lol
Look up dealer and then look up alcohol..drug dealer is indeed appropriate.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Maybe for the children we shouldn't have this forum or maybe there should be an age restriction on who can eneter.
You folks always seem to be looking out for the children after all.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

That was my first thought, but I try to give the benefit of the doubt. Even to people who don't have a clue. He jumped in and basically took a thread in a beer forum that was interesting and decided to put down members of the site by calling them drug addicts. It's both idiotic and irresponsible.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
I never said anyone here was an addict did I.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Stop. Just stop
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I never said anyone here was an addict did I.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Eh, I assumed you think we are all addicts since you compared beer to heroin.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Give me an "S"........S
Give me a "T"...........T
Give me an "F"..........F
Give me a "U"............U

What's that spell?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I'll like to buy a vowel
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Give me an "S"........S
Give me a "T"...........T
Give me an "F"..........F
Give me a "U"............U

What's that spell?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
Have you looked up either word yet?
Or do you just choose to harass me?
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Eh, I assumed you think we are all addicts since you compared beer to heroin.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device
Please show me where I did that I don't have my beer goggles handy and can't find it.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

doctors are drug dealers not drinking establishments

bring back the secret password "speak easy's" i say

roaring 20's short skirt babes getting all freaky mmmmmm

Please show me where I did that I don't have my beer goggles handy and can't find it.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Post #12

Why don't you start a new thread about the dangers of alcohol since you're so passionate about it? The original post is a good read and interesting. There was no need to take it in the direction you took it.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I think that twitter rant is why Pretty Things is no more. The little guy tried to buck the system rigged against him in a very public forum and pissed off the establishment. It seemed odd to me that they closed up shop. Seemed like they were doing well and had a fan base. If they got muscled out by bars and distributors because after that rant they had the ABC all over them, well, I guess that would make more sense. I could be completely talking out of my arse as well. Wouldn't be the first time.
Back on topic; this is pretty close to what went down. I work for a distributor that is part of the group that owns Craft Brewers Guild in Everett who got hit with the suspension and fine. Obviously they will be appealing the decision by the ABCC.

Maybe for the children we shouldn't have this forum or maybe there should be an age restriction on who can eneter.
You folks always seem to be looking out for the children after all.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Good idea.I am also going to recommend that cars.com have an age restriction. Cars are really dangerous, especially for young men when not used responsibly. If we care, we really shouldn't allow them to look at cars, let alone websites about cars.

Getting a little off topic folks. Please keep to the topic and start other threads for other stuff.

On the topic, there was some talk of issues with the 22 oz format, but me thinks that is BS. Others do the same and Maine does 16.9 oz format and they all seem to be doing fine. Dann said at one point that PTBAP was a "project" and supposed to be temporary. Maybe just took on a life of its own (thankfully so). Hope that they start anew and do great in whatever that may be. Again, my personal favorite "beer people". Miss 'em.

I agree with this 100%. MBC, Singlecut and others do that 16.9oz thing. Annoying, yes, does it stop me from picking a few bottles up. Nope.

I hope they re-enter the business. They made very good beer. I really can't think of a single style of theirs that I've tried that I didn't enjoy.

Rphud, not sure if you saw my other post about PT, but there is a good amount of meadowlark at Fort Point Market on Congress.

If my memory serves me correctly, pretty things were remnant Brewers and did not actually own a brewery... Bay after this, they will own one ;)
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Thanks for the heads up. I saw the same a few weeks back and will likely make the trip into town this week now that all of my Trillium growlers are emptied. Also hearing of Fumapapa at Marty's in Newton. Planned third stop of the trip.