Are you ready for Dept: Balcones Day?

[Capn Jimbo]

As I recall...


Tomorrow may be D-Day for Chip Tate and Balcones. Straightbourbon and Chuck Cowdery have been quiet, and apparently comfortable that their boy hero will somehow prevail, or get out his welder. Winston Edwards - Chip's handpicked "Ambassador" joined here, introduced himself, but claimed he was travelling and had to delay a good post. He's not talking for the moment and heres why...

The truth: it's clear that mega-negotiations have been engaged since the last flurry of legal activity. With the Court's permission, both agreed to give a two week mediation a try. Tate's two-chambered pistole proved empty, although he sure knew how to wave it around. His change of attorneys bought him a couple of delays, and that mediation was engaged.

Tate does not appear to have a ready new investor, the company is not going to sell and is prepared to go forward with or without him (Waco Tribune). Tate desperately wants a buyout and a cancellation of his 3 year no-compete, or in the alternative to buy out the company. Either requires solid investors who will allow him completely free reign.


Time to pray? Or to prey?

I sincerely hope that he'll be sensible, eat some humble pie, and find a way to return to Balcones as the best option for all. This assumes that Balcones would have him back, a big question. They have managed to do just fine without him, orders are up, new awards won and under a competent distilling team that's been there all along. Oh, and Winston Edwards.

Balcones would like to have him back, but not as much as Tate believes. If Tate does not settle, there's only long litigation left, and I believe Balcones will win that one. That may be a better outcome for them than buying him out, if that's even possible. Forcing him to follow the rules, and work out his contract under Court orders, may be their best outcome. They may refuse to buy him out, and choose let him cool his heels for three years, producing nothing, creating nothing.

That's a BIG stick.


But that doesn't have to happen!

But how 'bout Tate coming back? What Tate offers is a reputation, however earned or deserved. But to do so, his task will be first to convince himself, and then to convince Balcones that he can now play well with others, and can honestly stoop to following ordinary corporate rules. Without a doubt he'd be caused to operate on a VERY short leash until he proves he's the new Chip Tate, humble and retiring. What stands against this outcome?

Tate himself. He's publicly claimed that is not an option, and was reputed to say that he'd "rather see the place burn down" than work there. Ouch!


The question...

Will Tate return to Balcones? Be released? Or will this be litigated? What's best for both is for Tate to return, honest and humble hat in hand, and ready to prove his earlier success was more than serving a niche group of buyers with highly unique products of varying quality.

Tough one to call. If Tate wasn't quite as grandiose as he's been, I'd bet on a reconciliation. I honestly hope he has a wise and beloved grandfather who can advise him of the wisdom of half-a-loaf...

[Capn Jimbo]

Late breaking news...


A more current somewhat softball interview (entitled "The Steve Jobs of Craft Whiskey") with the Tatemeister holding forth, :
http://www.drinkmemag.com/the-steve-job ... chip-tate/

Runnin' late, but we'll get back to this one. It's always helpful to hear an opposing viewpoint. Bear? Winston? FWIW the comparison with Steve Jobs - alive but now dead - is oddly appropriate...