Balcones - Chip speaks

[cowdery]

Along with what Winston wrote, I would remind everyone that we are talking about real human beings here, some with their livelihoods at stake, and you're not in your basement shooting the shit with your buddies. Think before you type.

[Old Dusty]

Along with what Winston wrote, I would remind everyone that we are talking about real human beings here, some with their livelihoods at stake, and you're not in your basement shooting the shit with your buddies. Think before you type.

Wise words regarding ALL forms of social media Chuck. I have to add that the devil's advocate in me says this particular forum is closer to a virtual basement for shooting the shit w your buddies than it is to some mainstream media outlet that would have any discernible impact on the people or places being discussed. But wise words nonetheless.

[wadewood]

I've heard from good sources that Balcones have received buy out offers from much larger spirits companies. If were that spirit company and wanted to put the squeeze on investors to sale, I'd hire Winston and Jared away from Balcones. Take away those 2 and Chip sitting on the sideline, operations would be hurting.

[dcbt]

Another interview. An interesting quote from Tate: "This actually happened one time. I’d say, ‘Look, we can go ahead and bottle these and they’re passable, but I think the better thing to do is give them a handful of months more so they go from passable to really, really good. Let me point out the obvious, which is that if we put this off three months, then this is revenue we’ll realize next quarter and not this quarter.’"

http://www.drinkmemag.com/the-steve-jobs-of-craft-whiskey-an-exclusive-interview-with-chip-tate/

[Vadertime]

This is what happens when you bring in Okie bosses to manage Texans. All hell breaks loose! Its just revenge for Texas beating OU last year, now that OU is back on top, perhaps cooler heads will prevail.

[Josh]

Along with what Winston wrote, I would remind everyone that we are talking about real human beings here, some with their livelihoods at stake, and you're not in your basement shooting the shit with your buddies. Think before you type.

Unfortunately some bloggers (not referring to Chuck or anyone who regularly posts in these forums) have used this whole thing as an opportunity to draw attention to themselves as people leading the charge armed with hashtags and absurd arguments that blatantly take one side or another. They don't care who they hurt or what the actual situation is, they just to feel important. This is what disgusts me the most right now.

[jvd99]

Unfortunately some bloggers (not referring to Chuck or anyone who regularly posts in these forums) have used this whole thing as an opportunity to draw attention to themselves as people leading the charge armed with hashtags and absurd arguments that blatantly take one side or another. They don't care who they hurt or what the actual situation is, they just to feel important. This is what disgusts me the most right now.

Totally agree. The vitriol coming from those that shall not be named is just ridiculous and unwarranted

[Infidel]

... now that OU is back on top...

I'm guessing you knew who OU was scheduled to play on Saturday and this was a joke...

[Ishad]

New developments:

A judge sided with the founding president of Balcones Distilling in his ongoing battle with the company’s board of managers, ruling that board actions since it ousted Charles “Chip” Tate in August were invalid.

In a ruling issued Monday, Judge Jim Meyer of Waco’s 170th State District Court determined that Tate must be present at Balcones board meetings for there to be a proper quorum for any actions, including plans for a major company expansion, to be authorized.

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/business/judge-sides-with-founder-in-ongoing-balcones-distilling-dispute/article_45a53799-90f2-589d-b04a-41aa2b7b3b90.html?mode=jqm

Edited November 12, 2014 by Ishad

[StraightBoston]

Plot twist! Jimbo?

[danz]

New developments:

http://www.wacotrib.com/news/business/judge-sides-with-founder-in-ongoing-balcones-distilling-dispute/article_45a53799-90f2-589d-b04a-41aa2b7b3b90.html?mode=jqm

Very interesting. The article quotes:

A judge sided with the founding president of Balcones Distilling in his ongoing battle with the company’s board of managers, ruling that board actions since it ousted Charles “Chip” Tate in August were invalid.

...

In a ruling issued Monday, Judge Jim Meyer of Waco’s 170th State District Court determined that Tate must be present at Balcones board meetings for there to be a proper quorum for any actions, including plans for a major company expansion, to be authorized.

...

Under the new financing agreement approved by the board without Tate’s approval, Tate’s share of the company would drop to 9 percent.

Without looking farther into the underlying agreements, it would appear that the financing may not have been properly authorized. If so, that could cause issues with the financing sources, as well as invalidating the dilution of Chip's ownership stake.

Reading between the lines, this story from the Waco Tribune gives a very different impression than the initial accounts of the dispute.

[jvd99]

Oh Captain my Captain - if we were on a sinking ship, and there was only one life vest - I would miss you so much. Two sides of the story are always available and some version of the truth will always emerge and seems to be emerging slowly in the Balcones story. Stay tuned.

[dcbt]

Oh Captain my Captain - if we were on a sinking ship, and there was only one life vest - I would miss you so much. Two sides of the story are always available and some version of the truth will always emerge and seems to be emerging slowly in the Balcones story. Stay tuned.

[Balcones Winston]

This story must have lost its juiciness for the Cap'n now that a chip fell, well, Chip's way. (Sorry, had to...)

He's banned. Conversation continues on Rum Project

[jvd99]

He's banned. Conversation continues on Rum Project

Figured as much, however, I did peruse his blog for the first time (yes I fell into the trap of giving him a click) only out of morbid curiosity of discovering his reaction to the latest news. I have to say there's not much discussion going on over there on this topic, mostly the Cap talking to himself with post after post. Interestingly, he essentially described the latest development as "two shots in the chest" to his prognostications, which, as we know, were vociferously predicted to all come true. Crystal balls really don't exist then I guess. Best to sit back and let it play out, especially now that Chip has been somewhat validated and in a better bargaining position.

[WhiskyRI]

I wish Chip and the Balcones employees the best. However I'm tired of talking about inside baseball, make that whisky, politics - I'd rather talk about their whisky. Hopefully things will work out for the best and they can all get back to focusing on making great whisky.

[dcbt]

Interestingly, he essentially described the latest development as "two shots in the chest" to his prognostications, which, as we know, were vociferously predicted to all come true.

Punxsutawney Phil, prognosticator of prognosticators.

[Harry in WashDC]

He's banned. Conversation continues on Rum Project

Oh, good.

But, two things - (1) I won't visit; I don't care enough. (2) If I talk to myself, is it a conversation I am having? I guess it is if I answer myself.

See?

Edit - Is now time to open my Rumble.

Edited November 15, 2014 by Harry in WashDC
This needed context.

[jvd99]

I talk to myself all the time and enjoy it very much

[TunnelTiger]

I find that I'm the only one who agrees with me all of the time. Semi back on subject all of Balcones products have dried up in my area.

Rumble Cask Strength is my favorite to date.

[Josh]

I wish I agreed with myself all the time.

[jvd99]

I find that I'm the only one who agrees with me all of the time. Semi back on subject all of Balcones products have dried up in my area.

Rumble Cask Strength is my favorite to date.

I just procured a RCS through a fellow SBer. Haven't opened it yet. We still have quite a bit of Balcones products around here. My favorite has been the Single Malt w/ handwritten 53% ABV. Although, I have not tried the earlier iterations with different ABV/wood combos. I got on the Balcones train a little late for those.

[jvd99]

http://freepdfhosting.com/4e9f367ae0.pdf

Chip's new Court pleading. It's a fascinating read and makes some good points.

[Paddy]

Wow, just wow... Chip's story will garner a lot of sympathy I do think, whereas the investors...

[danz]

http://freepdfhosting.com/4e9f367ae0.pdf

Chip's new Court pleading. It's a fascinating read and makes some good points.

I skimmed it. It appears to have been filed on October 28, before the recent ruling in Chip's favor, so this is a few weeks old. As with all court filings, this is one side's account: Chip's. That said, it is interesting and seems to me, from a great distance, to fit better with the publicly-reported actions of the parties than the other side's account currently does.