Brewpub’s anti-Obama Facebook page comment creates local controversy
On Monday afternoon, a controversy exploded online, when the recently opened Zio Carlo Magnolia Brew Pub posted what seemed like a bitter indictment of President Obama and his followers on its Facebook page: “I would prefer not have spoiled Obama kids around me.”
Here are just some of the raw Facebook comments.
The week-long incident ended with the owner throwing a free pizza party for the community this past weekend. It will likely blow over now but who knows how many customers were lost…or gained (any new right wing supporters?).
UPDATE: Another follow-up post on the whole incident.
So, do you think politics have a place in brewery and brewpub pages on Facebook?
via UPDATE: Brewpub owner bashes Obama on Facebook, patrons revolt.
More accurate follow up to what happened: http://www.dfw.com/2011/12/09/548865/fort-worth-pub-seeks-to-put-profane.html
They can post political stuff if they like. Personally I think it’s a bad business move. Politics are very polarizing, so why risk losing customers over it. Is Obama bad? Yes. Are the alternatives bad? Yes.
A very dumb business move. Can’t our love of good craft beer be enough to unite us. Keep the politics put of it.
@John T
Absolutely right. Whichever way you lean politically, it’s best to stay out of it. Or risk alienating half of your customer base.
If he makes good food and good beer, this won’t matter at all.
Smart people would keep their religion and politics out of their business. Unless of course you only want to sell beer to “your kind of people”.
I know Carlo, he is an extremely nice and friendly guy with a good heart and passion for the industry……just appears he had a few too many one night and stressed out…..He gave me a tour of his facility last year before it was finished….You should have seen the look on his face with his dream about to come true and he has a lot invested in this business. I wish him all the luck in creating a successful brew pub that the area truly needed!
The brother and I need to plan a trip to visit him again.
It is a dumb business move. Before last November’s on election day New Glarus Brewery posted “its a beautiful day to vote and restore sanity”, basically meaning vote out the dems. That polarized the posters, some who were on the left, some on the right and others who told both sides to ignore it. Not that I’m boycotting New Glarus or anything, but my puchasing of New Glarus since that comment is down dramatically. It hasn’t hurt them though as they are having record growth.
I’ld say that it is perfectly fine to voice ones opinion about politics, religion, or whatever the owners are passionate about. The neighsayers of this practice likely do not have the huevos to do a business on their own, and consequently may not be aware of the hurdles laid in front of these guys, largely by “statist” government beaurocrats who have no interest in business. I say “voice all, and educate all”.