Ohio craft distilling update

[DeanSheen]

Interesting that Paramount basically worked to limit the number of permits statewide. Quite a shame.

I'm looking forward to the W25th brewery/distillery opening hopefully this spring complete with beer garden.Adding expertise from Dogfishhead is a great start. It's been a mess stumbling around the construction on the way to the West Side Market.

http://www.freshwatercleveland.com/f...ers030311.aspx

[callmeox]

Great article, thanks for the link.

I do find he assertion silly that Paramount loses a sale every time someone buys from a craft distiller. A bottom shelf rectifier like Paramount has its place, but I don't see craft distillers as their competition.

[cowdery]

Great article, thanks for the link.

I do find he assertion silly that Paramount loses a sale every time someone buys from a craft distiller. A bottom shelf rectifier like Paramount has its place, but I don't see craft distillers as their competition.

Consider the source. The statement was made by a state senator. If Paramount has, in fact, actively lobbied against micro-distilleries, they don't represent the majority of big producers, who either don't care or consider the micro-distilleries a good thing, because they create new interest in the category as well as a grass-roots constituency for fairer treatment for all distillers.

But I'll give Paramount the benefit of the doubt since this came from a politician trying to make his own hay. Some micros also are quick to play the David and Goliath card, but it's just not true. Big Booze is not trying to crush the micros.

[craigthom]

Big Booze is not trying to crush the micros.

In the brewing industry Big Beer let the craft brewers create the market and are now trying to take that market for themselves. That's the way I see it going if the micro distilleries are successful.

[cowdery]

Well, sure. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If anybody hits on something successful you can bet there will be a rush to copy it.