Beer backlash at Microsoft

Who knew beer could raise such a ruckus? Microsoft just did a 180 on a proposed campus pub and that's caused a beer backlash which has seeped into the company's overall image arguably just as much if not more than some of the company's storied and not so storied products.

According to TechFlash, Microsoft put the kibosh on the Spitfire Grill opening a pub at Microsoft's new West Campus Commons area just three days before the bar was supposed to open. Spitfire is owned by Jonathan Sposata, a former Microsoft employee and owner of Seattle area startup Picnik. He tells TechFlash he was stunned by the decision and that he was given no explanation for the stoppage. Microsoft spokesperson Lou Gellos is quoted as saying, "The goal was always to create a cool gathering place for employees, but to do so in a manner that’s consistent with a business environment. We took a second look at that, and we were sensitive to the business environment. We decided we should do something more appropriate, and that meant not having a pub."

The original TechFlash article has garnered some of the most comments I've ever seen on a TechFlash comment board and now a follow-up by TechFlash is documenting the backlash which includes a Facebook group called "Bring Spitfire Back To Microsoft" which already has hundreds of members. Senior Xbox manager, Matt Patriot Gradwohl, formed the group and says on the page, "I am embarrassed to work at Microsoft sometimes."

Who knows what's next with Microsoft's brew ha-ha? One things for certain, this beer battle is far from over.



-posted by Andrew