BEER WITH A SOCIALIST: In Indiana, the carryout adult beverage playing field is leveled ... temporarily.

On Monday (March 23) the governor of Indiana released two significant executive orders: 20-08 (Directive for Hoosiers to Stay at Home) and 20-11 (Relating to Carryout Consumption of Alcohol).

At the Indy Star, Domenica Bongiovanni explains.

Restaurants and bars now have a chance to make more money from carryout during the coronavirus outbreak — as long as they don't defy directives to keep their dining rooms closed.

Two of the four executive orders Gov. Holcomb issued on Monday deal with ensuring people stay away from each other and boosting local businesses crunched by restrictions meant to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Executive Order 20-10 enforces stiff penalties for establishments that continue to allow patrons to dine on their premises. Executive Order 20-11 relaxes the rules on carryout consumption of alcohol to relieve some of the financial hardship that specific alcohol permits could cause during the public health emergency.

It came as a mild surprise to me that draft beer in growlers was included in the easing. Future implications?

Later in the day the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission got on with the fine print.

Ultimately there came a key clarification: Those establishments selling bottles, cans and growlers must do so inside their establishments; not for delivery, and no curbside.

This being Indiana, for the ATC to restrict carryout sales to customers walking inside the building seemingly contradicts the governor's aim to keep them out in favor of curbside. The gist of Holcomb's comments on Monday as they pertained to alcoholic beverages is that there'll be zero tolerance for any establishment serving any product for on-premise consumption.

So, what does it all mean?

I think it all means that until March 31, and perhaps afterward if the order is renewed, establishments previously licensed to sell alcoholic beverages on-premise only, now enjoy the same privileges as others with the requisite carryout addendum.

They must make the transaction indoors, and it looks as if this dispensation extends to refilling growlers BUT after digesting yesterday's various announcements, it also appears that enforcement by all agencies amid the newly loosened regime will focus on social distancing -- those taped-off navigation channels and spaced X markings.

People coming inside to get a growler filled must wait. They probably should be instructed where to wait; it's better for everyone's safety AND the added benefit is a way for establishments to cover their butts. The state clearly is saying that businesses allowed to remain open will be "graded" by their compliance with social distancing. I suggest taking this seriously.

My hunch is the more taps installed, the greater interest in growlers on the part of retailers -- and the ATC's follow up post actually did specify "permissible" containers (growlers, howlers and crowlers). Obviously those restaurants now able to fill growlers probably don't have any on hand; furthermore, filling incoming growlers brings us back to the possibility of unsanitary containers and potential enforcement activity by the health department.

Also this: Excepting growlers of beer, the alcoholic beverages sold have to be pre-packaged. We're not being allowed to batch cocktails and serve them for carryout with a roll of toilet paper crowning the jug.

How all this plays out in terms of the wholesalers isn't known to me at this time. I know they're watching. I don't know how quickly carryout sales will deplete existing stocks. The CDC says the coronavirus can live up to 24 hours on cardboard. We're already sanitizing all incoming.

This is how I see the playing field today. However, we're likely to witness numerous revisions and supplemental straitjackets as the days progress. Stay nimble, people.

THE BEER BEAT: Wicked, Weed -- Whatever. Localism is the salve for your cognitive dissonance.

It's been roughly a week since Wicked Weed Brewery sold out to AB InBev, qualifying the story as ancient news in an era of attention spans measured by the length of a gnat's middle finger.

I've used the occasion to play a set of best-loved ditties (below), but today, a new song.

Or, you might choose to return to your swapping, ratings, selfies and narcissism; however, if anyone is interested in learning something, let the Pour Fool provide a brief lecture, prefaced by a few comments of my own.

THE BEER BEAT: The Pour Fool nails it yet again, as "Budweiser Finds Another Sell-Out" -- this time, Wicked Weed.

Like others before it, Wicked Weed Brewing has died. That's unfortunate, indeed, but from the moment the ownership of Wicked Weed passed to AB InBev, this previously independent brewery was transformed into something else. Now it's Wicked Trojan Zombie Afterlife Weed. We'll always have our memories. Speaking only for myself, I wouldn't drink a WTZAW beer with Donald Trump's lips. There are hundreds of other choices, and no commensurate need to deposit money in the coffers of the enemy. It was nice while it lasted, but it's all over now.

At Indiana On Tap, Mark Lasbury makes a laudable effort to grope forward and explain the cognitive dissonance, which might be defined as the nagging fear that something's not quite right.

How To Kill The Wicked Weed Growing In The Garden Of Craft Beer, by Mark E. Lasbury (Indiana On Tap)

AB-InBev is acquiring Wicked Weed. That bit of information almost broke the craft beer channels of the internet Wednesday, but the trend started long before then and will continue long into the future, unless there is a concerted effort on the part of craft beer brewers and drinkers. I don’t know much about business, but here is an opinion, a fact, and a question that keeps hurting my brain.

Beer isn't the only topic to suffer from historical amnesia. Given current events, it is by no means the most important topic we might be discussing in this context, and yet it remains (in the words of the philosopher) that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.

Whatever else might be said about AB InBev and the multinationals, we can be sure they remember the past -- and are determined to repeat it.

The "craft" brewing revolution broke out because it was necessary to fight on behalf of change, both within and against prevailing capitalist and regulatory orthodoxies. Still, the revolution did not seek to abandon capitalism, or to deny the veracity of regulation. Rather, it sought necessary modifications, and in the main, these have been achieved.

But there is no action without an opposite and equal reaction, and that's why the AB InBev empire strikes back against threats to its hegemony, and in the only way it can: with lots and lots of money ... and scorched earth. Monolithic corporations attain their clout with cash and brass knuckles -- now, always, forever.

There are plenty of laws that might be enacted to put AB InBev in its place, but these are unlikely to be written, because who benefits the most from robber baron multinationals if not the politicians accepting their campaign contributions?

Accordingly, if vile politicians give money to AB InBev with the aim of preserving monopolies and suppressing choice, why would you even consider doing the same -- even if it's your precious Bourbon County Stout?

As I write these words, there are thousands of local breweries in America pursuing a business model of brewing solid local beer for local consumption. They're selling beer by the pint, growler, cans and bottles. Most of what they sell goes out the door in their own buildings. Their beer won't be on a package store shelf two thousand miles away.

Accordingly, I can think of three very effective ways to reinvigorate the beer and brewing revolution. Dispense with the self-absorbed narcissism that diverts attention from the obvious, and think about concepts like ...

Personal value systems
Individual consciousness
Acts of conscience

In various other areas of the human experience, progress is about every day, not every now and then. It's about the fundamental undertow that prefaces civilization, a bedrock foundation from which creative expression arises. Evolution is to be encouraged, but change for the sake of change is the ideology of a hamster on his wheel.

Speaking for myself, it's all about thinking globally and drinking beer locally. It's about interacting with local breweries, giving them honest feedback, and watching them move forward. It's about this bar, that room, and the patio over there -- or the front porch of my house with a growler and a cigar.

It's also about shift. The way we spend our money plays a large role in determining the sort of world in which we live. There's no evading this fact, although there isn't always an effective way to avoid playing the robber baron capitalist game.

That's why the concept of "shifting" spending is so crucial. Whenever possible, I try to spend locally, within the community. It's not all or nothing. It's a conscientious individual act of consciousness reflecting a personal value system that needn't be broadcast to a wider world in order to retain its validity.

Beer is communal to me. It's not narcissism at all, and it isn't hoarding via black markets. It isn't necessary to calculate my purchases based on what I want you to see me drinking. Rather, it's the intensely mystical nature of the liquid in the glass, a quality that is enhanced when I'm around good people, at good places, in the act of conversing, eating and enjoying life.

I was managing quite nicely to do without Wicked Weed. Now Wicked Weed has died, and it's even easier for me not to care. But I do care about the locals in Asheville who believed in Wicked Weed.

They're the ones who have the best reason to mourn. I'm sorry for their loss. May they feel peace, and start patronizing other breweries that live right.

You?

Numerous other choices await. You're invited to join me in making the revolution as locally based as is humanly possible.

And by the way: Fuck off, AB InBev.

---

Earlier this week:

Thursday: THE BEER BEAT: Wicked, Weed -- Whatever: "Localism + Beer" (2012).

Wednesday: THE BEER BEAT: Wicked, Weed -- Whatever: "Let's explore anti-local craft beer unconsciousness" (2013).

Tuesday: THE BEER BEAT: Wicked, Weed -- Whatever: "This week in solipsistic beer narcissism" (2014).

Monday: THE BEER BEAT: Wicked, Weed -- Whatever: "Tastes of paradise can shatter mirrors" (2014).

Also: Watch the Hands, Not the Cards — The Magic of Megabrew

Hold the Roundup, says former stormwater board chairman.

After this morning, it should be as high as a clergyman's eye.

NAC's article here ...

The native habitat of pokeweed, in storm drains, by one-way streets, but hey -- let's go swimming.

 ... inspired this comment from former stormwater board chairman Tim Deatrick. He begins by specifically addressing the photo above.

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This is the responsibility of the Storm Water Department. This is clearly neglect and a failure to provide routine maintenance that you, the residents and businesses, are paying storm water fees to take care of.

Back in 2006, when I was chairman of the first Storm Water Board, we contracted out the operation to EMC because essentially the city run program was a disgrace, inefficient and a complete failure. Under our leadership and the professional management by EMC, you did not see weeds growing out of storm grates and there was a concerted and systematic preventative maintenance program in place with full reporting and accountability.

Ask yourself has drainage improved with the city run operation and are you getting your money's worth?

Given the obvious flooding issues that are being so nicely demonstrated by Roger's photographs, I think the answer is a resounding NO!

Yet this Mayor who praised us initially when he was a city councilman, led the council's decision to sue the Board when we privatized the operation, which by the way was a defeat for the council in court as the judge ruled in our favor.

But his city council district got a nice capital improvement project (Castlewood) as soon as Doug England took the helm again. Castlewood was a high priority capital project, but it got bumped up ahead of other areas that rated higher -- can we say political pay off?

---

As a final comment as to the suggestion that residents who pay fees to keep storm drains clear should buy their own supplies and DIY, this comes from Marcey, my friend and campaign treasurer.

I really don't think the EPA wants us to use Roundup in the storm drains do they? In fact, I believe I remember the city threatened to fine Keep New Albany Clean and Green if they used any weed killer in the downtown area. To be honest, if the streets, curbs and sidewalks were properly maintained this wouldn't be the overwhelming problem that it is in most every neighborhood in New Albany.

The native habitat of pokeweed, in storm drains, by one-way streets, but hey -- let's go swimming.

A tree grows from the storm water grate. Move along; nothing to see here. After all, it's New Albany.

I decided to have some Fb fun with it.

Tonight, I'm announcing a pioneering new civic initiative: The Storm Grate Beautification Project. Citizens can farm their own plots just like this one, with the street department serving as default soil banker, using TIF funds not to exceed $3 million. It's a when-when proposition, folks.

Meanwhile, the original post generated a discussion, the highlights of which are worth recapping. There isn't a conclusion. At times, knowledge is gained via the journey itself.

Ann Streckfus: Where is this?

Roger A. Baylor: Northeast corner of 11th and Market.

AS: I think things like this really should be taken care of by the property or business owner that this is in front of. Can't expect the city to have the manpower to weedeat and Roundup everything. We clean our sidewalks, street copings, etc.

RAB: If this is the expectation, it doesn't bother me. What's the obligation to make this known? Is there an enforcement mechanism? Do we budget for it in Stormwater?

AS: I have seen city workers cleaning around storm drains, so I know that they do try to address weeds and debris that affect drainage. But this is also a matter of citizens showing pride in their neighborhood and keeping up with the smaller details like weeds in pavement and sidewalks. Some will ignore any enforcement mechanism. It may not be 'fair' but those of us who are proud of our neighborhood will be the ones who'll handle this type of thing.

RAB: Voluntary -- rather like slumlords and their self-enforcement mechanism.

AS: There are always going to be slumlords and slobs who don't care a bit what their environment is like or how it affects others. All the laws and ordinances will do nothing about them. Many of them will spend more money fighting those laws and ordinances than simply doing what it would take for them to comply.

RAB: Yes. So, how do we have a system of law given this sentiment? Do we give up and merely prune our own medians? I'm not being combative, just finding the implications rather disheartening.

Randy Smith: How many lots should each responsible householder be responsible for? For if your neighbor on the left and your neighbor on the right don't agree with you, Ann, where do you give up and rely on taxpayer maintenance of the streets?

AS: If I had to come up with a system this is what I would do. I put together a budget of what it costs to maintain areas within the city such as medians and other city-owned common areas. Then I would determine if a specific city department is responsible for that area, for example, storm water handling the storm drains, and assign each that responsibility. This may already be the way the city handles it. Then in a mailing, perhaps inserted into everyone's sewer bill, I would include a flyer with bullet points telling citizens things they can do to help keep the city looking good. I think you have to put some responsibility on the citizens. We cannot expect the city to have the manpower to take care of every minute cosmetic detail.

RAB: True. And we can't all be responsible for paying for cosmetic details better left to property owners, although there are lamentable exceptions.

AS: Speaking for myself only, if my neighbor to the right or left (or both) didn't agree and didn't maintain the areas, I'd do it.

RS: And the streets? and the next 2 neighbors? And the next 2? Here's an idea. Let's collect taxes from every property owner and hire someone to make sure every curb, sidewalk, gutter, and street are kept up. I know it's a radical idea.

AS: BTW, that's a pokeweed and not a tree. It takes about 5 minutes to walk down one block and spray Roundup -- for the next 2 neighbors, and the next 2, and so on . . .

Jeff Gillenwater It would take at least a couple hours to recount the absurdities of City "maintenance" we've encountered just on our corner. What used to be a strong, concentrated effort on my part to make up for that has gradually devolved into bare minimums. No more cleaning multiple drains on a regular basis for me. If it weren't raining today, I'd likely be mowing the sidewalk, though, and dousing the entire perimeter in chemicals for the fourth time this season as "Improvements" have led to increased drainage issues and a curb jagged enough to cut car tires regularly gets reseeded with the debris that collects. Great to see the street sweeping program being expanded, though, given how obviously ineffective it is. If this City competently expended already available resources on basic, functioning infrastructure rather than allowing it to languish in favor of high dollar, lower impact specialized projects, the burden on citizens to fill the gap could be significantly reduced. That is, after all, what we pay for. Taking care of or improving that infrastructure is what TIF is for as well, though it's difficult to tell that in New Albany based on actual usage. As is, it becomes clear pretty quickly that so many individual efforts are swimming against the City current, not with it. It's no wonder floating is a popular choice. "Never mind the rampant waste, lack of transparency, and obvious political gamesmanship. Have pride and do it all yourself." It's like paying someone to mug you.

RS: Atlas Shrugged.

Wanda Vest: I now make half what I made 4 years ago and can not afford Round Up for my neighborhood.

RAB: Jeff Gillenwater, are you trying to say that you didn't get any trickle over from the Main Street beautification project?

JG: Not yet, but when we all get to pay extra for the long term maintenance of Main Street because the long term maintenance money from the state was spent making that maintenance both more expensive and largely unfunded, I figure that will be my part then. The City has replaced a small section of the sidewalk on 14th street over the past few decades, installing a regular, raised curb in front of the driveway into our garage. I've only asked City officials about it nine or 10 times so it's probably my fault. It'd be really nice to be able to actually use the garage we pay for but, hey, I understand that the civic pride induced by individual house numbers laid into the Main Street sidewalk trumps any trivial concern like that. Maybe the drainage overflow will eventually wash that part of the curb away too, and we can just steer through the weeds. The good news is that the unusable curb is actually a bit better than what I've since become accustomed to. When I say I could go on for hours about this stuff, I'm not exaggerating.

RAB: With reference to the curb, and our aggressive program of knocking down houses for replacement by balsa wood facsimiles, I ask this question sans irony: Is there a point when the planned demolition of errant infrastructure "improvements" becomes the only feasible strategy?

JG: Yes, I think we passed that threshold a while ago, especially considering that they continue to spend so heavily on errant "improvements". I've often joked that my first five years in New Albany were spent begging the City to spend money and the second five has been spent begging them to stop.

Tim Deatrick: It is the city storm water program's responsibility to maintain a free, unobstructed flow to storm drains, therefore the weeds and tree growing here falls on the city to take care of the problem.

Ann Baumgartle: If we just park a junk car that never moves there we won't have to see the tree growing out of the storm sewer.

Barbara Anderson: I don't know, I think every party should have some planned green space.

Clinging to the Same Stories.

"America's seismic demographic shift is upending life in our suburbs, cities and our popular culture. So why are we still clinging to the same stories to make sense of these changes?"

Maybe it's encroaching middle age, a broader mix of world events, or just another car driving the right way on a wrong way street, but that last bit about clinging has been a theme of late. Preexisting frames are tough to beat. Not beating them, though, means you are beat.

When Our Kids Own America, By Gene Demby (NPR) 

Brooklyn Park, Minn., which sits just to the northwest of Minneapolis and hugs the Mississippi River, was once the quintessential American suburb: Pretty sleepy. Midwestern. Mostly white. Jesse Ventura, the garrulous former Minnesota governor and pro wrestler, used to be the city's mayor. It was the childhood stomping grounds of a young Garrison Keillor of A Prairie Home Companion. The city’s annual festival is called “Tater Daze,” a nod to its potato farm origins. 


The Wonder Years could have been set in Brooklyn Park. 

Over the past two decades, though, the city has undergone the kind of transformation that’s changing life in so many American suburbs. In 1990, around nine in 10 people in Brooklyn Park were white. By 2010, nearly half the town’s residents were people of color. People in the surrounding area started referring derisively to the town as “Brooklyn Dark.” 

Many longtime — mostly white — residents were either moving out or resisting the tide of newcomers. As the shift got underway in the mid-’90s, a white local bar owner spoke up at a City Council hearing: "If you come from a different perspective or a different place, don't bring those standards to Brooklyn Park.” A different perspective. Lurking just beneath those words is an unspoken stake of ownership: this place is ours. 

This pattern seems familiar by now: “they” invade, there’s tension, many of “us” leave, whether it’s white folks gentrifying a brown community or brown folks ethno-fying a white one. And as long as the dichotomy was just that stark — as long as white folks and people of color could reliably play the roles of “we” and “they” — the pattern was easy to understand. But what’s happening to the “quintessential American suburb” echoes what’s happening to our classic “Chocolate Cities” like Oakland, Calif., Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Ga., and what’s happening in hip-hop and pop music. That old story is starting to get complicated.