Keeler and Dawson

[spiderwrangler]

Beacuse less than half the employees know anything about brewing? It's 'primarily' a wine shop.

[bille]

Does this mean there won't be any more brewing tv episodes featuring Keeler, Dawson, or Chip?

[TheDarkSide]

I could be wrong but I thought BTV was dead.

[mike____]

Chip just posted a video of the guys tasting Westy 12
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABlBiVUAVcI

[Afterlab]

BTV is done unless someone else at NB decides to resurrect it. Dawson now works for Wyeast and Chip works at Summit Brewing in St. Paul.

[Ozwald]

Dawson now works for Wyeast and Chip works at Summit Brewing in St. Paul.

Sounds like they made some good moves. I hope they're enjoying their new positions.

[teal]

I got into brewing because of BTV - stumbled across it on accident.

Dawson in particular was great on the questions I emailed him about my kriek projects. I feel fine in saying that I do miss the old BTV but I do really enjoy the 3 different blogs that have risen from its ashes.

I purchased about 98% of everything I had from NB. No longer the case - mostly due to pricing now.

As to those asking/mentioning about "new investors" -

Yep - the owner got new investors - http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/print-edition/2011/11/11/home-brewery-suppliers-land-investment.html?page=all

NB wasn't some mom and pop LHBS - 100 employees and 10 to 20 million in sales.

The take for me as it relates to NB tho is this - Nothing they've done recently has made me want to INCREASE my patronage with them and that's the same feeling for the other homebrewers I've spoken with. Dropping flat rate shipping, Jake, Dawson and Chip leaving (not retaining talent and the face of your business), BTV going dead - I don't know of anyone saying "hey, NOW I'm gonna order from NB - it's better than it was". I've gone elsewhere. Others have too.

I understand cutting costs but I'm guessing they've lost some revenue as well which is doubling down on whatever problem they had to cause them to look for investors and their capital. (I KNOW they have lost mine)

That investment firm's other projects? Folder/office supplies and marketing supplies - hey it's his business, he can do what he wants but I'd caution him to think about listening to him on his core business - selling folders and labels is a LONG way from selling 2 row and Blichmanns.

Homebrewing and the companies in that industry have always had a very "family" feel to them. NB doesn't anymore and they shouldn't be surprised when some people stop inviting them over...

[captain carrot]

10 to 20 million seems like such a vague and arbitrary number. I wonder how inflated that is?
Are they just throwing a bone to the press?