/r/WCNYBeer
News about beer in the Western & Central New York areas (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse).
/r/WCNYBeer
Pete Oates of Equilibrium Brewery is far from being a craft beer ally.
In fact, his business practices veer into unethical territory, raising serious concerns about his integrity. His decision-making regarding terminations appears suspiciously retaliatory. Equilibrium Brewery has been marred by numerous scandals, ranging from disturbing displays of behavior in the HR department, such as the former company investor / owner having sex on her desk in plain sight (captured on video multiple times by employees), to rehiring kitchen staff known for their dangerous and violent tendencies toward other employees. Favoritism runs rampant, formal grievance letters are retaliated against, and disturbingly, instances of sexual harassment seem to be tolerated, particularly if the perpetrator is deemed "too intoxicated" to be accountable. The hygiene standards are appalling, with reports of cockroaches found in the icemaker, and the beer lines not being properly cleaned. Furthermore, in FOH meetings, Pete actively discourages the provision of water to customers and persuades his bartenders to push pilsner instead. The list of grievances against Equilibrium Brewery and Pete Oates is extensive and alarming, to say the least. In addition to the litany of issues plaguing Equilibrium Brewery under Pete Oates' leadership, reports have surfaced indicating that Pete himself frequently indulges in blackout intoxication at Equilibrium. He's known to harass his staff by flaunting his supposedly exceptional palate, incessantly boasting about his wealth and Tesla, and arrogantly positioning himself as a craft beer "God."
As a lover and avid follower of craft beer, it was particularly disheartening and shocking to learn about the incidents that have unfolded at Equilibrium Brewery, as reported by both current and former employees. In an industry that celebrates camaraderie, passion, and quality, the behavior exhibited by Pete Oates / Equilibrium Management and the toxic environment they have fostered stand in stark contrast to the values that draw many of us to the world of craft beer.
Despite our collective image of Pete as the nerdy MIT graduate with a passion for craft beer, it's disheartening to acknowledge that this perception has been completely tainted. The discrepancies between the persona we may have envisioned and the reality of his leadership at Equilibrium Brewery are deeply disappointing. As someone who cherishes and is active in the craft beer community, it's distressing to see such behavior tarnishing its reputation.
In the wake of yet another disappointment within the craft beer community, it's crucial to address these issues openly and honestly. We've witnessed too many instances of craft brewer icons falling short of the standards we hold dear, but it's imperative that we engage in dialogue and truly understand the ethos of the establishments we support with our hard-earned money. As for myself, moving forward I will be purchasing my hazy IPAs elsewhere.