I've personally witnessed/been involved with the quality decline and the trendiness you speak of with two other "craft" markets - coffee in the mid 90's and liq

I've personally witnessed/been involved with the quality decline and the trendiness you speak of with two other "craft" markets - coffee in the mid 90's and liquor distilleries in the past 10 years. When I talk to tourists here in Seattle, of course they eventually ask about the best coffee places. If they're at least able to add "not Starbucks," I'm honest with them and tell them that there's really only two downtown that I like. These days, there are plenty of roasters, but the majority are pretty meh to outright bad. Same thing with craft distilling in the past 10 years. The first wave of small batch distillers were revolutionary, but then many imitators jumped on the bandwagon. Bars and restaurants pitch them as being "local" and therefore, good. Being local has nothing to do with being good. Some of the worst alcohol I've had were "local." It's gotten to the point where I purposely avoid ordering anything "local" unless I know who's involved in the distillery. And don't get me started on "craft vodka." As with the discussion of online communities (reddit, Facebook) recently, I wonder if there's anything that remains good once it gains popularity. Or maybe I'm just an elitist hipster.