Papazian reflects on 1986 GABF, now 25 years later

I occasionally hear industry folk describe Boston Beer Co.’s Jim Koch as a bit of a polarizing figure. Looks like some of the detraction started 25 years ago with BBC’s foundation as a contract brewer…

Controversy at the Great American Beer Festival intensified in 1986. Boston Beer Company was a newcomer and a contract brewing company without a brewery at the time. There were lots of microbrewers that took passionate offense and cried “foul” that Boston Beer’s Sam Adams Lager won the popularity contest. That a “brewers organization” would allow a “non brewer” to achieve recognition as a “winner” at their own event was despicable to many small brewers. To say the least there were lots of bad feelings floating around at that time, especially in Portland.

via [Brewers Association President] Charlie Papazian | Examiner.com.

 

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