Watching the news right now can be painful. The coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, is dominating the headlines and with each passing hour, more cases are confirmed and more deaths recorded. The pandemic is affecting the entire world in unexpected ways and here in the United States, it could be months before the numbers start to drop significantly and life returns to normal.
Here at Great Beer Now, we agree that the public health is of utmost importance. We encourage everyone to practice social distancing, wash hands frequently, use hand sanitizer, and otherwise take whatever precautions necessary to contain the virus and reduce its spread. We also know that the virus is taking its toll on certain industries more than others, especially those where direct interaction and social engagement is a large part of the business.
America’s craft breweries are once such industry. The larger breweries likely have the means to survive but smaller, startup breweries are feeling the crunch. Many of these breweries rely on taproom sales to produce enough cash flow to remain afloat. They count on the steady flow of customers to and from the brewery throughout the week to result in the necessary funds to survive.
With such intense financial pressure on local craft breweries, it is imperative that we do all we can to support these local businesses. I know that the plea to “go local” and “support your hometown breweries” are oft repeated mantras. But in these uncertain times and potential financial devastation, the encouragement to “support local” cannot be stressed strongly enough.
Supporting local craft beer can be accomplished in many ways. Search for your favorite brewery online and see if they are selling beer to go. Facebook is the best tool for this purpose, since craft breweries tend to use Facebook and update Facebook with great frequency. Many breweries can sell beer to go and some have even constructed special drive- throughs and turned to other creative measures to keep the beer moving and the cash flowing. Some states have even passed emergency measures to permit breweries and restaurants to sell beer to go. They know that drastic times call for drastic measures.
We at Great Beer Now have always been strong supporters of the local craft beer scene, but as of late, we have ramped up our support on multiple levels. We have made it a point to turn our attention to local beer for everyday consumption, purchasing exclusively local beer at grocery stores (our groceries and liquor stores are still open in Texas); taking our growlers to nearby taverns and breweries for a quick fill- up; and grabbing a six pack to go along with the growler fill when possible.
COVID- 19 might be around for many more weeks or even months. But we are not about to let fear stand in our way. We will fight this pandemic and WIN, and we will do all we can to make sure our local breweries, restaurants, taverns, etc. receive the support they need to get through this difficult time.
Cheers to all, and cheers to America’s craft breweries and the people who work so hard every day to brew the beer we love!
[…] the country shuttered and job losses led to empty pockets. These problems remain a growing a concern for the craft brewing industry. However, as the months wear on, there’s a chance that the pandemic can offer craft beer and […]