[duboman]

I would say that I do have some brand loyalty in Craft as there are certain breweries I will consistently buy because their beers are just so damn good but I am always searching out new things to try as well since there are so many new beers hitting the markets. My big thing is using commercial brands representative of a style I am looking to brew as research. I always consider my trips to Binny's as R&D

[theoman]

I don't have brand loyalty, but I do have defaults.

As for brewing, I've never brewed a clone. I like to say my beers are "inspired by" something; either a particular beer or a style. I suppose one could say that's being lazy and maybe I'm just not good enough to duplicate another's beer. Perhaps, but I've truly never been interested in duplicating another's beer, since I can just buy that beer.

[Slowbrew]

I have started out with a clone recipe created by someone else but have never actually brewed a clone of a beer.  the recipe is a guide to start the process.  Ingredient selection and brewing process are all mine.  The beers I make are good beer but not like anyone else makes.

Paul

[reverseapachemaster]

If loyalty means lockstep support for every beer a brewery produces then no, I don't have any brand loyalty. (Maybe one.) However, I do have many breweries that I drink on a regular basis, when I buy beer, and trust that their beers will be good every time. Sometimes the beers aren't my preference but the brewery has proven itself enough that I'm not sworn off their new beers.

[yso191]

It's easy. Just do exactly what they do.

No bad hurters intended, but let's get away from cloning and start being inspired by

I was debating in my head about a response, now I find myself wondering if your admonition here was ironic in light of the Beer Geek video...  If so, it is very droll.  Hat tip to you Jim, you do have an excellent sense of humor.

[denny]

let's get away from cloning and start being inspired by

[clef051]

It's easy. Just do exactly what they do.

No bad hurters intended, but let's get away from cloning and start being inspired by

You know I start out to clone something every once in awhile, but it always ends up changing.  So I'm inspired by great beers.

[erockrph]

I wouldn't say I have brand loyalty the same way that Macro drinkers seem to, but I definitely have some brands that I am quite fond of and do feel some loyalty to. They are mostly the local New England breweries I grew up on (Otter Creek, Smuttynose and Ipswich in particular). I'm not guaranteed to like every beer they brew, but they are definitely how I developed my taste for beer. If given a choice I will typically reach for one of their beers first.

For example, I judge every Oatmeal Stout against Ipswich's by default because that's what introduced me to the style and it's still my old standby to this day. Another example, Otter Creek's beers have this minerally/steely character that a lot of people don't enjoy. I'm the exact opposite - this is one of my white whales in homebrewing. I love this flavor in a lot of styles, but I just haven't been able to nail it down yet.

[punatic]

It's easy. Just do exactly what they do.

No bad hurters intended, but let's get away from cloning and start being inspired by

You know I start out to clone something every once in awhile, but it always ends up changing.  So I'm inspired by great beers.

Hells yeah!  Look what happened in Jurassic Park.

[klickitat jim]

It's easy. Just do exactly what they do.

No bad hurters intended, but let's get away from cloning and start being inspired by

I was debating in my head about a response, now I find myself wondering if your admonition here was ironic in light of the Beer Geek video...  If so, it is very droll.  Hat tip to you Jim, you do have an excellent sense of humor.

;-)

[Titanium Brewing]

I only drink beer that is brewed 1 pint at a time.

[klickitat jim]

Coincidence, I only brew beer that is drank one pint at a time.