New Belgium's hypocrisy is not surprising. Alcohol, not hydraulic fracture fluid, is one of the most lethal products in the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control, on an annual basis in the U.S., there are 80,000 deaths (2,000 underage), 10,000 traffic deaths, 1.2 million emergency room visits, and 50,000 cases of poisoning, all related to the abuse of alcohol.
The comparative deaths attributable to hydraulic fracturing? Zero.
I have been following the "fracking" debate for a long time now, and I don't remember a more insipid and pointless effort than this:
Nevertheless, the oil and gas industry is under siege, the target of campaigns based on half-truths and innuendo. For at least a dozen years the oil and gas industry has committed a sin of omission by not challenging the unsupportable claims of renewable energy advocates who have claimed "the moral high ground" on energy.
So…Somewhere in Harpoles' frack fluid addled brain is a neuron glitch that lets him completely forget that his hero, the governor, SELLS BEER. If you sell beer and love fracking you are OK…but, if you sell beer and question the practice of drilling and fracking near peoples' homes, you are a hypocrite, earning derision and deserving of being shunned.
It is hard to imagine a more desperate and ill-founded argument than the one being proffered here by John, "gimme a shot of that good stuff, Hick", Harpole. His conclusion?…
Well, as for Fat Tire and the myths surrounding it, well, in my household it has become impossible to swallow.
John Harpole is founder and president of Mercator Energy, a natural gas services, brokerage and research company.
Nothing like a fine Benzene Pale Ale to wash down that dust after a day of fracking! I hear that Beneze in the water supply adds a great note to the Palisade Merlots, call it oilfield Terroir…
I'll take a Ranger please
I think I'll pop open a bottle of Fat Tire as I ponder this diary…
I do like New Bellgium's business ethics, but for FoCo beers I'll take Odells.
both make good brews. I have not yet toured Odells. I toured New Belgium and was very impressed not only with their business ethic, which is clearly visible, but also with the workplace fun
I had a chance to meet and do a favor for a couple of New Belgiums' middle management guys when I volunteered at the "Big Tent" bloggers event during the '08 Democratic convention. Great guys, as I recall, generous in return and very polite. Seems like I remember them speaking highly of the company.
Let's just say they didn't remind me of the industry guys I know.
I think I'll have a Dead Guy, now that you mention it. Cheers!
Kim and Jeff are divorced, Kim bought out Jeff and just recently Kim sold her majority ownership to the employees, making New Belgium 1 of 2 employee owned breweries in America. Only time will tell…
Well…some useful, unflavored information…Thanks, Albert.