I’ll credit Hypebot and Suburban Home Records owner (and all-around good dude) Virgil Dickerson for finding this video and the writeup, but the similarities between the independent brewing and music scenes is something I’ve been talking about for some time. I got into craft and micro brewing a few years ago, and the thing that struck me about it was how the scene around it felt exactly like the independent metal scene I discovered so many years ago.

All the same archetypes are there: snobs, posers, industry vets who sit in the back of the bar (concert) and observe… and of course, the passionate, smart, welcoming fans – they’re all there. All the brewmasters know each other, hang out together and pick each other up when times are rough, just like all the great artists and label heads in the underground metal scene. On the business end, craft brewing is closing the gap on conglomerates like Anheuser-Busch, just like independent labels are competing with the majors – all with pride in their work, their product and their scene. Just look at these choice quotes from the video and tell me they don’t sound familiar:

“(mega conglomerates) are only focused on how much they’re selling instead of what they’re selling”

“If you want lowest common denominator beer, that is up to you, I won’t have any part of it.”

“We must educate those who seek to understand”

“We must honor and hold true to our integrity”

Watch the video and read Virgil’s piece here, and support your local brewer (if you’re of age).

Please, no Pyschostick “Music Is Like Beer” jokes…somehow I managed not to.