(Chicago, IL) – On Friday, Stone Brewing Co. co-founder and CEO, Greg Koch, stirred the pot with a tweet that read, “Word is a larger craft brewer is dramatically ramping up their playing of unethical/illegal games in Chicago. Bad for the biz, bad for all.” Despite this statement singling out a small subset of large craft brewers, Koch declined our request to name the brewery, saying only, “I call out practices, not brewers.” Koch continued on with the subject on Saturday…

The more access to a range of craft beer that fans have, the better for them & the better for the craft biz. Fight restriction of access! — Greg Koch (@StoneGreg) February 2, 2013

Illegal inducements to retailers to stock one brand over another, reduces choice 2 beer fans. Reduced choice = reduced fwd movement 4 craft. — Greg Koch (@StoneGreg) February 2, 2013

Behind the scenes, craft beer fans r sometimes sold out w/out knowing it…choice removed from them by illegal inducements. Fight 4 choice! — Greg Koch (@StoneGreg) February 2, 2013

Brands that use illegal inducements 2 carry their beers r not the better choices 4 retailers/fans. If they were, bribing wouldn’t be needed. — Greg Koch (@StoneGreg) February 2, 2013

Brewers who are confident in the quality and viability of their beers don’t need to “play games” to sell their beer. They sell on merit. — Greg Koch (@StoneGreg) February 2, 2013