Six Reasons to Toast Duvel's Purchase of Boulevard Brewing Company

It's been less than one week since the big announcement that Boulevard Brewing Company was being sold to Belgian brewer Duvel Moortgat (the first part is pronounced DOO-Vell, in conversation I suggest just dropping that second bit). Much of the on-line reaction that immediately followed the news was decidedly negative with Facebook and Twitter flaring up with cries of "Sellout!", "You can't do this!", and varying versions of, "I'll never drink Boulevard again!". No one should be surprised by the knee-jerk reactions and the ensuing hyperbole. After all it's like your best friend walks into the room and announces, "Guess what? I'm getting married!" and you're all like, "Wut? I didn't even know you were dating!" But you know what? I think everything is going to be A-OK. I'm an optimist at heart anyway but having given the whole thing a lot of thought here are the reasons that I think everyone in Kansas City should embrace John McDonald's decision to sell his beloved brewery:

Social. Well Done. (Done Well).

Here we are, with both feet in the new millennium, and I am amazed at the number of restaurants (some of my favorites in fact) that still have little or no presence in social media. Even worse, many are doing such a poor job of using Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc... that their pleas for attention are likely met with feelings of pity.

This is on my mind today as I look out the window at what is likely to become well over a foot of snow falling furiously from the sky.