[denny]

I foresee a reduction in quality, if this happens.

Why?  One thing I learned at beer Camp is that quality is what they value above everything.  Add in the fact that it's a sole proprietorship, without board or stockholders to satisfy, and it would seem that they have the best possible situation to maintain a quality product.

[bluesman]

One of the things they stressed to us was that the places they were looking at had similar water chemistry.

This is a significant consideration IMO.

[bluesman]

IF they stay focused on the beer for the long term I'm sure it will be ok.

and that's a big if.

That is some bold font right there. 

[repo]

There is a budweiser plant less than 75 miles from Golden Colorado, I wouldn't worry about SN affecting local craft breweries. SN DFH and SA are merely stepping stones to the true craft breweries.

[brewmichigan]

I foresee a reduction in quality, if this happens.

Why?  One thing I learned at beer Camp is that quality is what they value above everything.  Add in the fact that it's a sole proprietorship, without board or stockholders to satisfy, and it would seem that they have the best possible situation to maintain a quality product.

I second this. If it's one thing I took away from the beer camp it's that they are very conscious about their product and who is drinking it. They take pride in the fact that they are brewing the best beer possible. I think that if they thought this would jeopardize the quality of their product, they just wouldn't do it.

[majorvices]

That sucks if they changed their mind and decided to plant it in the carolinas. Nothing out there but huckleberry and hillbillies.  

I take exception to that comment, good sir.

Come on man. I'm in ALABAMA. Make all the jokes you want. Besides I happen to love huckleberries and have plenty of hillbillies in the family.

[morticaixavier]

I guess it depends on how far it goes.  I just worry when breweries become macro in size that their products will be macro in quality.  It signifies a shift in how the business is operated, and it might not be for the better.  It might be awesome, but it already IS awesome, so in this case I fear change.

They talked quite a bit about this when I was at Beer Camp a month back.  There's no way they aren't going to grow, so you might as well get over that fear, Tom!  Thia is the most logical way for them to accomplish that.  It's lees expensive and more eco-friendly (in keeping with their philosophy) than shipping beer across the country.  Let's face it, SN is a business and as such wants/needs to keep growing.  Based on what I've learned about the company and their mindset, I'm much less worried about expansion from them than a company like, say, Ninkasi.

I'll give you wants but there is this attitude that a business must keep growing andI have never gotten a solid reason why. If I am in business and I have a solid customer base which is replentished at replacement levels why do I need to keep growing? particularly if it's not a public company. Now I will concede that if demand conintues to rise and I can meet that increased demand without compromise why NOT continue growing which I suspect is more the attitude of a SN. But take snapple. when I first started drinking snapple it was only available in health/natural food stores and it was amazing. the cream soda was one of my favorite drinks as a kid. then they grew and became the corn syrup sweet glop it is today. but they HAD to grow right?

okay rant over!

[majorvices]

I guess it depends on how far it goes.  I just worry when breweries become macro in size that their products will be macro in quality.  It signifies a shift in how the business is operated, and it might not be for the better.  It might be awesome, but it already IS awesome, so in this case I fear change.

They talked quite a bit about this when I was at Beer Camp a month back.  There's no way they aren't going to grow, so you might as well get over that fear, Tom!  Thia is the most logical way for them to accomplish that.  It's lees expensive and more eco-friendly (in keeping with their philosophy) than shipping beer across the country.  Let's face it, SN is a business and as such wants/needs to keep growing.  Based on what I've learned about the company and their mindset, I'm much less worried about expansion from them than a company like, say, Ninkasi.

I'll give you wants but there is this attitude that a business must keep growing andI have never gotten a solid reason why. If I am in business and I have a solid customer base which is replentished at replacement levels why do I need to keep growing? particularly if it's not a public company. Now I will concede that if demand conintues to rise and I can meet that increased demand without compromise why NOT continue growing which I suspect is more the attitude of a SN. But take snapple. when I first started drinking snapple it was only available in health/natural food stores and it was amazing. the cream soda was one of my favorite drinks as a kid. then they grew and became the corn syrup sweet glop it is today. but they HAD to grow right?

okay rant over!

As a small brewery owner I can say that I would like to actually cap production at some point to keep the brewery small. I agree with you exactly - why do you have to keep growing? Is it to keep from being swallowed by a bigger player? I just don't get it.

[The Professor]

...SN DFH and SA are merely stepping stones to the true craft breweries.

Whaaaaa???
Sierra Nevada IS a "true craft brewery".
In truth, it's one of the better ones. 
And if they are committed to maintaining the quality (as I'm certain they are) they'll still be a great "craft" brewery even if they eventually build five new plants.

[euge]

Shareholders. They want to see a company grow.

[brewmichigan]

Shareholders. They want to see a company grow.

The shareholder is the Grossman family.

[denny]

Shareholders. They want to see a company grow.

But SN has no shareholders (or just the family as Mike points out).  As to why they want to grow, why not?  Increased wealth aside, they might have motives like serving more customers better, or being able to provide more benefits to more employees.  I'm just speculating, but that's the kind of company they seem to be.

[mabrungard]

One of the things they stressed to us was that the places they were looking at had similar water chemistry.

Nah, when I was talking with Steve Dresler a few months ago, he mentioned that they are fully on RO at the Chico facility.  They build all their brewing water up from RO.  I suggested that they do want to try and find a location with decent water anyhow to reduce the loading on the RO membranes.  He was not concerned with that.  They are looking for the local that will give them the best deal. 

PS: the firm I work for does SN's wastewater and energy reduction engineering.

[denny]

One of the things they stressed to us was that the places they were looking at had similar water chemistry.

Nah, when I was talking with Steve Dresler a few months ago, he mentioned that they are fully on RO at the Chico facility.  They build all their brewing water up from RO.  I suggested that they do want to try and find a location with decent water anyhow to reduce the loading on the RO membranes.  He was not concerned with that.  They are looking for the local that will give them the best deal. 

PS: the firm I work for does SN's wastewater and energy reduction engineering.

Thanks, Martin.  I was aware of that, but they also mentioned to us that they were looking for similar water.  Could be that the person who told us that was misinformed, or maybe just a matter of interpretation.  But you provided valuable info here!

And having seen their wasterwater and energy reduction efforts, let me say GOOD JOB to you and your company!

[punatic]

Shareholders. They want to see a company grow.

Damn them shareholders!  Occupy Chico! 
(just messin with ya euge).



Water chemistry can be whatever you want it to be.  It just may add expense to make it that way.

IF they stay focused on the beer for the long term I'm sure it will be ok.

and that's a big if.

That is some bold font right there. 

Reminds of True Grit when Ned Pepper says, to Rooster Cogburn, "I call that mighty bold font...."