The Latest on FBBC Sale

A couple of nuggets for the Flying Bison faithful.

Late on the 27th of May, FBBC declared on it's Facebook page "T's have been crossed.  i's have been... Wait for it... Wait for it... Wait for it... Wait for it..."

Certainly sounds like positive for those hoping to touch their lips to the FBBC ales again soon.

In other news...

Shareholder David R. Chudy was quoted extensively in a recent article about the disputed sale of FBBC.  In an opinion piece to today's Buffalo News, Mr. Chudy states that he was misquoted in the May 22, 2010 article. 

Stating that the deal with FX Matt Brewing Company is the best deal for FBBC, Mr. Chudy explains "while I did not think the investors would get back all of our investments, I did and do believe we will get back a significant amount, and a much better return than any other deal available. I went on to say that in addition to the financial return, there is an added intrinsic value to be able to walk into a Buffalo bar and order a Buffalo beer, Flying Bison. Omitting the word “all” and my subsequent comments changed the entire cast of my remarks."

Flying Bison, We Hardly Knew Ye

In April, Flying Bison was supposed to be open for business again brewing beer for the thirsty loyalists in WNY.  Yesterday, the Buffalo News reported that not only is FBBC not brewing there is no indication it will be brewing any time soon.  According to rumors on the interweb, the new Peace Bridge will be completed in advance of any brewing.

If you're looking for a bad guy in all this one could easily point to Phil Internicola and Wes Froebel would make for a good evil sidekick.  This would be an overly simplistic view.  Yes, both are looking, in some way, for a return on their investment.  However, they are hardly the only players with fault in this soap opera.  Tim Herzog is the Master Brewer, one of the founders, the face of FBBC, etc. and is one of the few (or only) who stands to gain from the sale to FX Matt Brewing Company.  Then there is the Board.  According to the News article management was not Herzog's strength and he took steps to correct for that but what could or should the Board have done?  What exactly is the Board's role in all this?

At the end of the day it's the beer drinkers who get the short end of this stick.  We're already 6 weeks delayed in getting FBBC back on the shelves.  If this carries on, the NFTA transit lines will reach the southtowns before beer is brewed in Buffalo again.  You read it here first - the renaissance is over.  Brewing beer in Buffalo has been set back years.

Tim, Phil, Wes, and the other stakeholders consider this our official plea to sit around the same table and fix this so the rest of us can drink some FBBC beer soon.  Lay out all the cards and have a real, frank conversation.  It sounds like you were all once friends (or family even).  So, pretend you get along and clean up this mess.

Flying Bison Staying in Buffalo; Expanding Operations

This should certainly make your St. Patrick's Day a bit brighter. Today Flying Bison Brewing Company (FBBC) announced they are staying in Buffalo and they are actually expanding operations. As a result of the deal with FX Matt Brewing Company, FBBC will distribute more than they ever have in the past. Tim Herzog said "The only difference the community will see is that our beers will more readily available. Everyone on staff is still with us and there will be a few changes, for the better.”

FBBC will continue to be active in the community supporting events like the Buffalo Brewfest. They will also continue supporting Rusty Chain; which is made in collaboration with Green Options Buffalo, Buffalo Rising, and Buffalo Microparks, to support bicycle parking through out Buffalo.

Mr. Herzog did acknowledge some challenges lie ahead. Shelves will need to be stocked across Western New York and be stocked on a consistent basis. FBBC must also win back taps at local restaurants and pubs - no small task considering the competition for such prime real estate.

The big question is when will the new plan be implemented? No dates have been announced for the beginning of distribution or the arrival of your favorite FBBC brews at the local grocer or watering hole. There is not even a date for the reopening of the FBBC retail store. To all this we say "patience is a virtue".

We look forward to seeing FBBC back on the streets and with a little luck they will use the Matt Urban distribution chain to send some of their beers to our little corner of the country.