The Game is Afoot
WHAT’S NEW?
Beginning in March, the MacKinnon Report will offer a paid subscriber option. There will a still be a free version of the report available (to which you are already subscribed), but it will contain only a short summary of the analyses available to paid subscribers. My previous articles will still be available in the public archive available to free subscribers.
WHY THE CHANGE?
To be honest, I feel a bit uncomfortable charging for my articles so my plan is to create so much value that the subscription fee will seem like a great deal. The world is made of more than just hops. I’ve identified 25 industries and topics that affect brewers directly or have secondary effects on the brewing industry. I plan to deconstruct and analyze news and current events in each using the same analytical methods to provide brewers, farmers and their vendors a fresh perspective. The list of topics will grow over time. If you have suggestions for topics, I hope you’ll share them with me.
To keep up with the latest developments, I will post weekly updates beginning on March 14th (pie day in the U.S. … 3.14 🤓) … and every other Thursday afterward. For people who enjoy the articles I have been writing, don’t worry. I’ll continue writing long form articles about hops. For example …
In March, paid subscribers will be able to read my analysis of the Willamette Valley Hops LLC Chapter 11 bankruptcy and its likely effects on the hop market in the years to come.
In April, paid subscribers will read about a trend related to hops I discovered among brewers. It’s a trend that affects the cost of every beer around the world. You’ll want to stick around for that analysis!
FOR YOUR EYES ONLY
Considering the difficult economy, inflation and increased competitiveness in the brewing industry, a single source for valuable economic analysis related to the brewing industry would be useful. I hope you’ll consider subscribing and join me on this journey. But that doesn’t really seem like enough to me. I want to create more value for my readers. With that in mind …
I’ve developed an algorithm that enables me to create blends of public hop varieties from around the world with flavors resembling popular American proprietary varieties. Beginning in June, I’ll share one of those recipes each month with paid subscribers who confirm their affiliation with a brewery[1]. I’ll continue to use the algorithm to create new blends as long as brewers are interested. I developed this in the hope of helping independent hop farmers and brewers around the globe who want to retake their freedom and move away from proprietary control of their industries by three or four people.
I’ve developed a hop product to make brewing more efficient for small breweries. I will announce the details in May, 2024. That will also be something designed to support independent brewers and farmers regain their independence. Those products will be available beginning this summer[2].
I have one more thing for paid subscribers that is guaranteed to save even small brewers thousands of dollars each year. I’ll reveal the details in an interview on the Modern Brewer Podcast that will drop on Monday, February 19th. Chris, the host of the podcast, and I had an interesting and wide-ranging discussion about the hop market and the situation in the industry today. If you enjoy my articles, I think you’ll enjoy listening to our discussion. To support independent media and because I think Chris has a great podcast, that will be the only place the announcement is available for now. Once my discussion with Chris has been on the Interwebs a bit, I’ll make the details public on Substack so it can be shared more easily.
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
- Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth 1758
THE COST
The cost to become a paid subscriber will be as low as $27.78 per month!! I know the thought of paying won’t appeal to everybody. For that reason, if you want to subscribe and can’t afford the price, please connect with me on LinkedIn and message me there. We’ll chat and figure something out. I don’t want anybody who wants a subscription to be excluded for financial reasons. I’d rather make a difference than make a fortune and the more breweries we can get on board the better this will work.
I’m looking forward to the journey. I hope you’ll join me.
[1] I reserve the right to refuse to share these with certain people … for example with brewers who also own hop farms and/or hop merchant companies.
[2] Once again, I reserve the right to refuse to share these with certain individuals.