As everyone else has already reported, Stone Brewing Company is not coming to Columbus — but can we please stop posting hateful messages on Stone’s Facebook page and slinging insults at the city of Richmond on forums?
Don’t make the city of Columbus look bad because a business decision that had pretty much nothing to do with the people of Columbus didn’t go the way we hoped. The social media support and tap takeover initiatives supporting Stone were nice gestures, but all along this was really a business decision weighing the incentives the bidding cities were able to offer the expanding brewery and their respective value as distribution centers. Our state’s ABV cap may also have been a factor. Either way, your feelings do not need to be hurt. It wasn’t about you.
Setting aside all the economic benefits, Stone Brewery building in Columbus would have elevated Columbus to national prominence as a craft beer community. People in the midwest and eastern states might have made their beercation pilgrimage to the area to see Stone – and, as many hoped, discovered other Ohio craft beers along the way.
Instead, the more than 100 breweries in the state of Ohio will have to continue to work hard, and work together, to attract attention for the many great beers in the state. We, as consumers, also have to stop pretending that all 100 breweries make great beer (sorry), so let’s drink better rather than blindly drinking local so that when out-of-towners visit the area, they’re only aware of the best Ohio brews and Columbus can set its own craft beer credibility in stone.
5 Comments on "Casting Stones"
I totally agree, it was an honor to be considered. I think that a lot of the frustration lies in the abv laws for the state. Unfortunately people are unfairly aiming that frustration at Stone which is rediculous. They make amazing beer and hopefully this entire process will foster some change, change that will help all Ohio breweries. So thanks Stone!
I like the idea of keeping it classy but then you changed the tone by saying ohio consumers are blindly drinking bad ohio crafts. I get some are better than others, just seemed like the wrong place and time to come down on some local brewers and local beer drinkers.
Let’s be real… There are a lot of really crappy ohio breweries. I’m digging the new slogan “drink local not poop”. Speaking of which I have a home brew I can bore you with…
All in all, stone does stone, Columbus does Columbus. Doesn’t change the quality of liquid we can put in our guzzlers. Let’s blow up Jackie O’s and Fatheads! Two great breweries that deserve our focus.
we should all get a chance to ironically call them arrogant bastards, and then return to our regular drinking schedule.
Cheryl – Thanks for setting the tone and reminding us to show the classy side of Columbus. It would have been great to get Stone but a lot of positives came from Stone putting Columbus on their short list. There are many other breweries that are or will look for east coast or midwest production facilities in the coming years and Stone paved the way by doing a solid scout of the area and showcasing the positives we have – doing that homework put us on other brewers maps. This also helped the raise the ABV discussion with the Ohio legislature. Stone’s search also got this prospect on the radar of city government so that we will be even more prepared next time. By next year, Columbus will be approaching 20 breweries – we have a lot to celebrate. (Plug goes here: and if you are looking for a way to celebrate what Columbus has to offer – we have open spots on our tours next week).
Let’s not rule out that Stone may decide they need a third brewery location in the coming decade and if other breweries are looking for spots (New Glarus…..I’d love to show you around for a case of beer) Columbus has shown we have a lot to offer.