Report: Texas-based distributor illegally inducing bars to remove craft taphandle
From a recent Facebook status message on a craft beer advocate’s page, Silver Eagle is “paying their reps $300 for every No Label Brewery tap they are able to take down in Houston bars. Reps are offering cash, free kegs, etc. to bar owners to replace NL on their walls.”
Here is a FAQ on what is illegal and what isn’t per the Texas Alcohol Board.
Just yesterday, Stone Brewing’s Greg Koch reported that a friend of his in the Chicago beer industry was horrified that craft brewers are partaking in similar activities (illegal giveaways) at a higher rate than ever before.
Perhaps it goes both ways…
Truthfully this is happening at wholesalers across the country every day. The draft offerings in so many accounts are determined by $$. It’s a game that some choose to ignore but most end up playing.