TBBB

With Texas Big Beer Brewery's blessing and assistance, a group of us have banded together to help them raise the funds to renew their State licensing.
We consider this a helping hand up... not a hand out.

 
Message from Texas Big Beer Brewery:
     "Due to a chain of costly events we find ourselves in a situation unable to renew our two year TABC required licenses. If we do not renew our license by mid January we will be forced to cease operation and lay everybody off. We are working overtime and doing everything we can to increase sales, including bringing a new product to market. With all the government red tape, we may not have all the approvals in time for our new product to help.
     If our license fees were comparable to Texas wineries, or brew pubs we would not be in this situation. We would have a chance. $6,789 in fees for us to brew and sell all legal beers in Texas. It is very hard for us to ask for help and it was not an easy decision to make. It took quite a bit of persuasion from a group of friends and supporters to convince us to allow them to set up this GoFundMe as a last ditch effort.
     This small craft brewery is our dream and passion and we are doing everything in our power to continue it.
     People always say to us. 'You are living the dream.' The fact is, 'We are working the dream.'   :-)
Cheers and a heartfelt thank you!
John, Tammy, Carol, & Cassie - The people behind Texas Big Beer Brewery"


John and Tammy wrote a letter to the Governor of Texas asking for an explanation as to why the licensing is so much higher than that of wineries, brew pubs, and breweries who brew common mega brews.

Licensing to brew all legal beers in Texas $6,789. 
Winery: $851
Brewpub: $1,426
Beer Manufacturer's Permit: $2,151, (beer like the Big 3 produce). 

I have adjusted the amount of the GoFundMe to incorporate only the State fees plus the GoFundMe fees and supporter system awards.
 
There have been multiple comments on different Social Media questioning how TBB got behind and their ear marked fees for licensing disappeared:

Chain of Events:
1. General liability insurance increased over 50%.
2. Rear-end on delivery van needed gears and bearings changed. Transmission required a total rebuild.
3. The cooling unit in walk-in cooler failed.
4. The big 3-roller grain mill wore out and needed to be replaced.
5. A water line in the brewery busted and sprayed water on all of the pallets of barley. It soured and had to be disposed of. Some of the grain was salvaged by making the catfish fat and happy.
6. The water/sewer bill was astronomical due to the water line spewing water.
7. Water destroyed electronics, including the large scale used to measure out grain.
8. Many smaller things have reached their life span and are being replaced as absolutely necessary.
 

Some of the steps being taken to ensure this does not happen again:
1. Set up and maintain a separate account strictly for the licensing fees, (sinking fund),  that will come due in two years again.
2. Water main is shut off when no one is at the brewery.
3. Continue to concentrate on putting out consistent and quality product.
4. Revise and implement marketing and advertising within the business plan.
5. Obtain improved distribution through contracts and manpower.


I want to state that this crowd funding is being done with TBBB's approval.  We, (my family),  took it upon ourselves to try and help get them a little extra influx of cash to help out with the State fees.  Ultimately, the goal is to help revamp the complete business plan.  Our help is all donated to the brewery. We take nothing away from them.  All the funds acquired through this GoFundMe will all go to the State fees.  This was not set up to beg for funds.  It was set up to ask for a little assistance as many other breweries have done across the nation through Indiegogo, GoFundMe, and other crowd funding websites.



CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO DONATION PAGE


A little about the brewery: (I know this is small print. You can read it HERE or click on the picture and purchase the book!)
TBBB has had several write up over the past few years since opening. Texas Beer Guide


We are all doing what we can to help TBBB stay around for years to come. This gofundme is part of that help.

If you can spare a few bucks, please hit the appropriate level you would like to aid HERE!

We do realize that financial contribution to the cause is not available to many. However! There are still lots of other ways you can help us! Tell your friends, family, and co-workers. In other words, help spread the word!
Like TBBB on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/texasbigbeerbrewery and mention us in your feed.
Follow TBBB on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TEXASBIGBEER.
Check out the TBBB website: http://www.texasbigbeer.com
And/Or...
Visit Us at:

Also, if you have mad skills like we wish I had. Ex: marketing, communication, advertising, reporter, etc... let us know if you would like to help promote the word and we will find a way to utilize those mad skills of yours!


Fine Print: Shipping will be free within the continental United States.  All other shipping costs for shirts and glasses will have an extra charge for shipping, handling, and/or customs fees.

Timeline for shipping will vary on if/when TBBB gets all the needed funds.

All funds are going directly to John & Tammy McKissack.

As I roll this crowd funding out, John has been hard at work rolling out a new website. Texas Big Beer Brewery

"Please support us in our efforts to make our world a beautiful place by buying and sharing our Craft Texas Big Beer!" 
~John McKissack



Cortez, M. (2015). Gulf Coast/Piney Woods Breweries. In Beer Lover's Texas: Best Breweries, Brewpubs & Beer Bars (p. vi,41,42,43). Austin, Texas: Rowman & Littlefield. All information from this book has been used with the expressed consent of the author.

Cortez, M. (2011, May 12). Texas Beer Guide | Texas BIG Beer Brewery. Retrieved October 30, 2015, from http://texasbeerguide.com/breweries/buna-texas/texas-big-beer-brewery/ All information from this book has been used with the expressed consent of the author.

This campaign will run until January 8th, 2016.