BP: Do you think that the growth of the craft beer industry is still on the rise?
CW: There’s so far to go. On the east coast, it’s really just starting. Once people’s tastes change, they don’t go back. I really do feel like we’re just getting started.
BP: How do you feel about the bigger breweries getting involved in ‘craftier’ endeavors, like Tenth and Blake and Blue Moon?
CW: I understand their reaction and why they’re doing it. I think the best thing that ever happened for craft beer is Blue Moon, because it showed people that there’s a different style of beer out there besides the traditional American light lager, and it opened their eyes to things. And then it starts to trickle down and they look for other types of Belgian-style wheat beers. And the consumers are very smart, so they know. In a way I think it’s helpful. I mean, there is a fight for the floor space and the cooler space, but local’s local and people know when they’re being marketed to versus enjoying craft beer.
BP: Do you think that the rise of Sierra Nevada and New Belgium on the east coast will impact you in any way?
CW: Sure. They’re obviously big breweries, but there’s a push for local, and there’s a lot of good breweries around here. And what people are finding, I think, is “why let Colorado and California tell you what to drink?” You don’t need them. I look at Chimay as an example. You see it in the store; the bottle is great, the glass is great, the tap handle is great, and it’s a Belgian. Chimay White is the Belgian tripel. How many Belgian tripels are out there that are domestically made, that are as good or better for half the price? And you drink it and you say, you know, “Why?”
There was a time when Stone, and California breweries could do whatever they wanted to, and people were enthralled because they were California breweries. I just don’t think that’s true anymore. So, in a way I think those guys are a little bit behind the curve, it’s like “oh gee, there’s another Colorado brewery.” If you go to a lot of bars in Philadelphia, it’s all they can do to serve the local beers. There’s only so many taps.
BP: How does River Horse view the internet community and sites like Ratebeer and Beer Advocate? How do you interact with your community? What sort of attention do you pay to it?
CW: If I could block any websites from the brewers’ viewing them, it would be (review sites). It’s funny how inaccurate some of the reviews are. I mean, it’s fine, everybody’s got their opinions and that’s great, but there are just certain things that are put out there which drive (the brewers) crazy. One example that comes to mind is that someone wrote about the lack of hops in our oatmeal milk stout. I mean, come on. But overall, it does drive community; it starts a conversation. We’ve got a big Facebook following, and people can keep up to date with what is going on.
As far as websites like the Ratebeers of the world…I only like the good reviews. (laughs). We’ve actually got a little bit of hangover, because the math on the “average reviews” factors in our previous owners, so we’re averaged a little down. But they’ve been coming up, and our new beers are rated well.
Chris Ferullo loves craft beer. An IT business analyst by day, he moonlights as a hophead and proponent of the Philly beer scene. Ferullo practiced journalism in college and is the first writer to join the BeerPulse team.
Cool, so this company was just bought by two wall st. guys who wanted to make money off an industry… awesome.. I’ll be sure to avoid them next time I’m in New Hope..
To be fair, there are plenty of bankers and people from other industries that jump into craft beer. Doesn’t mean that they are in it for the money.
Brock Wagner was once a banker. Now, he runs Saint Arnold Brewing, one of the largest craft breweries in the USA.
I commend them because the comment about knowing “They would not last too long” means that they had the self awareness that they were somewhat unfulfilled, and then they went and did something about it.
I gravitated toward craft beer ( and away from a 6 figure pharma career) because it is such a positive and motivating industry. The corp rat race is increasingly unfulfilling for more and more people and craft beer is like a breath of cool Spring morning air. These people are willing to make a lot less money if it means they can feel a real connection to the work they do.
I have been drinking River Horse for years and the slow, steady growth appears to be more about passion than profit.
Ah, Cliff’s got a point, I guess. I don’t drink Anchor, Sierra-Nevada or Stone products, ’cause I figure “What do the heir to a washing machine fortune (and cheese maker!), bicycle repairman or rock music promoter know about brewing beer?”
You can learn a lot about brewing by homebrewing as a hobby. All it takes is passion for the craft. The rest does not matter.
Hey Cliff . . . The “Wall Street Guys” bought the company, they are not actually brewing the beer. Who cares who bought the company, they are doing a great job and have great brewers.
I’ve been drinking River Horse since they first opened and the beer produced now is a much higher quality, consistant tasting product. Nothing local beats their Summer Blonde and Imperial Pumpkin Ale as seasonals. I don’t really care about the background of who owns a brewery as long as the beer produced tastes good. Isn’t that what really matters?
Cliff – Go jump off one. If the background of the owners of a beer firm are your only criteria for judging a beer, you’re to stupid to drink. RH beer are very good, and maybe you should stay in NH and go to Triumph. You probably like Miller Lite…
Cliff seems like a joke to me, these guys were successful in a career that most parents and society push you towards, and then they followed their hearts. How can you possibly hate on that? Riverhorse isn’t top 10 brewery in the East Coast but they do produce good beers for everyday drinking, and I feel that gets lost among beer snobs. I run a Liq Store/bottle shop in CT and I sell a lot of their stuff because it is good. Period. So lay off the background and worry about the product, and actually give these guys credit for keeping what they had in place and just being involved monetarily
Interesting article Chris, keep them coming.
I would be more wary if it was an investment firm that bought River Horse (i.e. like Centerbridge Capital with Gordon Biersch/Rock Bottom) rather then two guys who moved from an investment firm. Hopefully with their business knowledge they will be able to run it more consistently then the previous owners.
I believe Jess Kidden was just kidding, given he enjoys a “half and half” of Sierra-Nevada’s Celebration Ale and Bigfoot Barleywine to recreate the original Ballantine IPA.
Hey, maybe those ‘Wall Street guys’ are on to something. They hired a former intern from the craft brewery at which I am brewmaster. This guy worked 40 hours/week for 6 months….for free. River Horse got an employee that I would have hired myself. My loss.
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