As I sit here in my taproom, staring at the empty bar stools and the rows of untouched kegs, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration and despair. Running a brewery was never easy, but during a pandemic it feels like an impossible task.
The government’s restrictions on indoor gatherings have decimated our business. We used to have a bustling taproom, filled with locals and tourists alike, all coming to sample our latest creations and enjoy a night out with friends. Now, it’s a ghost town. We’ve had to rely on takeout and delivery sales, but it’s just not the same.
It’s not just the financial hit that’s been tough to bear. It’s the emotional toll as well. My employees, who were once a tight-knit team, are now scattered and isolated. Many of them have had to find other work just to make ends meet. And as for me, I feel like I’m constantly fighting an uphill battle. Every time we think we’ve come up with a solution to keep the business afloat, something else comes along to knock us down.
But despite all of this, I refuse to give up. I know that my brewery is more than just a business – it’s a community hub, a place where people can come together and connect over a shared love of craft beer. And as long as there’s still a glimmer of hope, I’ll keep fighting to keep the taproom doors open.
It’s not just me, either. The entire craft beer industry is facing similar challenges. Breweries across the country have had to shut their doors, and those that have managed to stay open are struggling to survive. It’s a tough time to be a small business owner, and it’s easy to feel like the deck is stacked against us.
But even in the darkest of times, there are always glimmers of hope. I’ve seen firsthand the resilience and determination of my employees and the craft beer community as a whole. We may be down, but we’re not out. And as long as there’s a thirst for great beer and a desire to come together and share a pint, I know we’ll make it through this.
So if you’re reading this and you’ve been missing the taproom experience, come on down and pay us a visit (when it’s safe to do so). Support your local brewery, and let’s raise a glass to better days ahead. Because even in a pandemic, the show must go on.
Write a 400 word story about how tough it is to run a brewery that requires people to come into the tap room during a pandemic. Written in the form of a Hunter S. Thompson rant that would appear in Rolling Stone magazine.