Tappdout - Why I’m deleting my Untappd account

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TL:DR Untappd takes money from Big Beer — that’s not cool.

When we started Craft Brew Republic in 2016 we also started using Untappd to track beers, collect badges and make friends. Three years later I rarely open the app and check-in even less. Maybe after 85 Land of the Free badges and 58 I Believe in IPA badges, it starts to lose its pazazz. Or maybe...it’s something else.

In addition to badge fatigue, I’ve grown a lot closer to the local Independent craft beer scene. I’ve built friendships with Owners, Brewers, Servers and the fine folks I drink with. I’m constantly amazed by the quality and creativity of the craft beer being produced. And that’s where I choose to pledge my support — Independent breweries.

Being Independent is a big deal. It’s not easy running a brewery. Day in and day out competing with Big Beer for distribution, shelf space, can shortages, and politics. And that’s exactly why we should ONLY support Independent breweries.

At OpenTap we proudly support Independent craft breweries and shun money from Big Beer. In fact, back in June of last year, Ballast Point emailed about joining us, we politely declined (see below).

That time we said NO to Ballast Point.

That time we said NO to Ballast Point.

Untappd has been huge for the global beer community at large, but unfortunately it hurts the local Independent craft beer scene by taking money from Big Beer. And that’s not cool. If you need a refresher on who owns who, check out this little diagram courtesy of The Mad Fermentationist.

Here’s a shortlist of some of the  Big Beer brands that Untappd happily takes cash from:

Ballast Point Brewing Company

  • Lagunitas Brewing Company

  • Golden Road Brewing

  • Elysian Brewing Company

  • Founders Brewing Co.

  • Goose Island Beer Co.

  • New Belgium Brewing Company

  • Kona Brewing Company

  • Widmer Brothers Brewing

  • 10 Barrel Brewing Co.

  • Avery Brewing Co.

  • Blue Point Brewing Company

  • Funky Buddha Brewery

  • Genessee Brewing Company

  • Hop Valley Brewing Company

  • Pabst Brewing Company

  • Pyramid Brewing Co

Now we’re not saying this is the right move for you, or that everyone should login and delete their Untappd account today. What we ARE saying is — OpenTap passionately supports Independent Craft Breweries and Independent Craft Breweries only. Big Beer doesn’t get our money and we don’t take theirs. We proudly choose to support our local breweries and invite you to join us.

Just in case you’re down to delete, here’s how to do it.

How to delete your Untappd account.

How to delete your Untappd account.

#foreverindependent



Garth Humbert

California native, craft beer fan and Founder of OpenTap.

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