Rolling Rock, Why Are You Doing This to Me?
Ten more days.
Ten more days until Anheuser-Busch halts operations in Latrobe, PA, where one of my favorite beers has been brewed for almost 70 years. No, Rolling Rock isn’t going away, Anheuser-Busch purchased the Rolling Rock brand, is closing the brewery (yes, and laying off the existing work force), and moving production to their own facilities.
Of course, Latrobe citizens (and Rolling Rock fanatics) are up in arms over the dissolution of the small town’s largest job provider, as well as the dilution of the brand’s integrity. Several groups and sites have sprung up in attempts to either convince Anheuser to keep the brewing in Latrobe or boycott the brand entirely.
As an aside, I’ve been unintentionally boycotting Anheuser-Busch for my entire life, not because I hate them as a conglomerate (well, I do), but because they make really, really shitty beer. After a six pack of Red Stripe at a party last Saturday, I attempted to consume a Bud Light out of desperation. It was, as the saying goes, like having sex in a canoe, and I was on my way back to the liquor store for a New Belgium brew just minutes afterwards.
That’s not to say that once production moves to Busch’s facilities that the taste will change, but something will definitely not be “right” about drinking the beer anymore.
Be sure to check out the largest and most well-organized of the “Save Rolling Rock” sites. They have a lot of information on what brands of beer to avoid if you’re the “boycotting makes a difference” type, and there is also an online petition to sign if you’re the “online petitions make a difference” type. Remember all those times that a big business fucked up really bad and the little people joined forces to expose the big business’ folly, which the conglomerate then reversed, regardless of what it meant to their bottom line? Yeah, neither do I. I mean, it’d be great if we all lived in a fucking Disney movie, but it’s a nice gesture to show your support anyway.
We had some good times. I’ll miss you, Rolling Rock. Even if you taste the same, I know that the beer you’ve become is an imposter.
July 21st, 2006 at 11:03 pm
I hate you people
July 23rd, 2006 at 9:45 pm
You hate people who drink Rolling Rock, or people that have morals?
July 23rd, 2006 at 9:49 pm
Jesse… I don’t know how quite how to say this, but… you’re a disease.
July 24th, 2006 at 12:22 am
Burn!!!
July 24th, 2006 at 4:02 am
Third degree burn!
July 24th, 2006 at 7:00 am
“Remember all those times that a big business fucked up really bad and the little people joined forces to expose the big business’ folly, which the conglomerate then reversed, regardless of what it meant to their bottom line? Yeah, neither do I”
Someone finally said it. My thoughts exactly.