As the news of a Georgia brewery closure makes the headlines and folks feel at liberty to take a collective dump on years of hard work and independent entrepreneurs doing all they can to survive, I’d like to give my two cents. First, Jekyll Brewing and founder Michael Lundmark were always friends and good neighbors to Reformation and me personally. Because of this direct connection, I am heartbroken to hear the news of their closure, simply because I identify with all that’s at stake. We both started our brands and businesses around the same time, over a decade ago, when the Georgia Craft Beer industry was still developing. It’s hard to summarize, but suffice it to say Jekyll was part of the initial campaign to set beer free through SB85, which allowed our industry to survive almost a decade ago.
Unfortunately, additional reforms have been far too slow for many in our industry as we continue to face an oppressive state regulatory environment that is far from free, fair, or open. Even small reforms to our regulatory system are met with the strongest resistance in the political theater. Independent Georgia Breweries continue our struggle to meet our customers outside our limited premises. This lack of access has forced some breweries to adapt to other models that unfortunately come with additional high risk on top of an already volatile post-pandemic market and ever-rising costs. For too many breweries in Georgia, these realities have just been too much to overcome, and reforms to regulations that would free them from just surviving to thriving have been completely obstructed. Unfortunately, for some, they view our industry as direct zero-sum competition rather than a collaborative effort that raises all ships.
Collaboration truly defines the independent craft beer industry. I was reminded of that again last week at the annual Craft Brewery Conference in Indianapolis. We truly share so much in common while each bringing our own unique stories and vision to the communities we serve. Less than a week ago, Sun King Brewery was a gracious host, not only to our industry but also to the Reformation team, as they treated us so kindly. Taking time during a crazy week and evening of hosting our industry to show my crew and me around the brewery, answering all questions, and sharing collective pride in our craft. There was no measuring of size, there was no gloating, there was no self-righteousness, just community. It’s truly the best of all that we do as an industry. So it’s sad when anyone in a community suffers a loss.
I welcomed Jekyll to Woodstock when they expanded a few years ago and have since enjoyed the brewery multiple times for pub crawls or a meal. It all felt part of a larger community, a friend supporting a friend. Michael and I have kept in touch over the years. It’s not my place to get into details, but Michael had a personal tragedy in the earliest days of Jekyll. I, along with many others in our industry, grieved this personal loss and stood beside a friend in life’s most difficult days. Those are the moments that matter. I reached out again this morning, and yes, today is another difficult day for my friend. Yes, we were competitors, but that aspect doesn’t define the whole relationship. This is not a zero-sum game we’re all playing. Yes, competition is fun, hell, my wife and I compete with each other, but it doesn’t make me happy to see anyone hurt or humiliated over a competition. Competition should make competitors better, I think that’s the whole point. Not really sure when or where we lost that vision. So I choose to be sad regarding the news of an independent maker, entrepreneur, and friend losing a business. I will weep with those who weep. There is real freedom there. It takes the focus off me.