The statement on the label of the Goose Island Imperial Stout is a statement that is true of many beers - if you’ve consumed enough of it.
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I didn’t forget about the third beer I got. I ended up falling asleep and forgetting to post it. Woof.
That can happen after drinking an imperial stout.
While the law is clear and the bar clearly broke it by transporting out-of-state beer in for a special event, the law is absolutely ridiculous. New York’s State Liquor Authority is treating this as though it was beer that didn’t meet the state’s standards - some rogue beer made from illegal ingredients. It’s the same beer sold in other states, and taxes are collected on the beer just the same as from any other beer.
So why was the bar fined? Because the beer isn’t licensed to be sold in New York State. Why? Because Spotted Cow would have to fork out registration fees of $150 per beer style, wholesaler fees of $1,500 per year, and put up $10,000 in bond just to sell their beer in New York. The big boys of craft brewing - your Magic Hats, Victories, Harpoons - can pony up this money easily. But this fee structure puts small breweries from out-of-state at a distinct disadvantage. That’s why this bar went out of its way to provide a small, well-crafted beer to its patrons - to show support and loyalty to a small brewer while giving its patrons a small taste of home.
Meet one of my favorite new breweries
prettythingsbeertoday.com
Pretty Things, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Creative brews, clever names, funky labels, and a great story to boot.
You can find them in Boston, New York, Syracuse, and Philly right now. Get on this stuff.
