Seaport Beerfest - the juicy details

[derek]

Wow, strong words! No one is being forced to volunteer or purchase tickets. Many folks, as volunteers, got in for free last year, it's true. Unfortunately, this takes money away from the exhibitors, who travel from the States and beyond on their own dime to take part.

Well, Greg is know for his strong words, and is welcome to use them here.

I think he made a pretty good point that it does _not_ take money away from the exhibitors. They get people to man their tables for less than the cost of paying someone even minimum wage. Let's turn your words around: "No one is being forced to exhibit". Frankly, it sounds like you're promoting the NSLC party line - which makes every attempt to make sure that events like this fail.

[mr x]

Just remember, meg represents Garrison, Titus is the man in charge. Vendors are equally encouraged to use this site.

[derek]

Just remember, meg represents Garrison, Titus is the man in charge.

No, I can't remember that because she's not bothered to introduce herself - I assumed she worked for the festival. Titus is only half the "man in charge", but apparently not as Garrison Brewery. Garrison isn't even a listed sponsor (which doesn't surprise me - NSLC would never permit that). Meg is, however, the person who's trying to justify the Seaport Beerfest's (wrong-headed) policies - which would seem to be unrelated to the fact that she represents Garrison.

I've got less problem than some with vendor participation here (iirc, you were the one who wanted retailers kept out of our group buy section - I've no problem with that, because you're also the one who does all the work), but I'd like a clue when people are representing a company rather than themselves.

[mr x]

If you don't know that Meg does Garrison PR ,and that Titus is the man in charge at Garrison....

We have a vendors forum for a reason. For vendors. From Garrison to whoeverthefuckownsabusiness.

This isn't that dead end sorry ass piece of fucking dead end shit mail list where everyone is going to hold your hand and explain who the fuck is who. Eventually, if you have a problem, you grow some balls and go to the top.

Sorry, Pictou County rules.

[mr x]

[Jimmy]

[KMcK]

Way outa line, dude. We were trying to have a serious conversation with Meg about the terms for volunteering at the beerfest.

I agree with Derek that Meg hasn't actually introduced herself, apart from saying that she works in beer marketing and worked at the beerfest last year. My understanding is that Joanne Titus is Festival Coordinator, not Meg, so I'm now wondering just who she is.

I know that Nash once worked at Garrison and occasionally posts about Garrison, but I certainly wouldn't assume that he speaks for Garrison.

[chalmers]

Yeesh. What have I started?

[BBrianBoogie]

I'm not sure how this takes money away from the exhibitors. Could you explain further?

[meg_media]

Okay, since it seems everyone believes I'm keeping secrets, I'll properly introduce myself. I am Meg, the marketing coordinator at Garrison Brewing. I worked Seaport Beerfest last year for the first time - as a volunteer at the Garrison booth. You're right, I do not know all the inner-workings of the Beetfest. I'm pretty much on the periphery of the event. The official organizers are Brian Titus from Garrison and Bruce Mansour from Make it Happen. The head of communications/coordinating volunteers for the event is Joanne. So if you have questions/comments/complaints/suggestions, it would be best to email her at joanne@seaportbeerfest.com. Can we officially move on now?

[mr x]

I know that Nash once worked at Garrison and occasionally posts about Garrison, but I certainly wouldn't assume that he speaks for Garrison.

I guess I figured that people understood the color codes, i.e. red for admin, lighter red for mod, and green for vendor. Or would read posts such as this (in the vendor section under Garrison) and put 2 + 2 together and not get 7.

http://www.brewnosers.org/forums/viewto ... f=28&t=833" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As far as a serious conversion, all I was seeing was a bitch fest that was going nowhere. Titus and Mansour run the Beerfest. If you want serious questions answered, and you didn't know where to look for answers, now you do.

[meg_media]

Thanks mr x.

Ha ha, I was about to use the "beating a dead horse" icon in my last post.

[BobbyOK]

Don't mind us. We're a bit cantankerous from all the years of the LC depriving us of the beer we want. We're actually much better now that we've found even more ways to work around them.

[meg_media]

Ha ha, fair enough, Bobby. I'm still waiting for the NSLC to carry a Belgian lambic! Haven't tried one yet ...

[KMcK]

Back to the serious conversation.

I put the compensation question to Joanne. She said that the festival has eliminated the booth fee for the exhibitors, so that, supposedly, is where the extra revenue from the volunteers is going. She didn't mention Peter Kelly or Trade Centre Limited.

[sleepyjamie]

anyone know what sort of attendance records do they anticipate this year? last year i went and they overpacked the place to the point where i couldn't walk, take a piss, or even sample any beer without waiting 15 minutes in line. i even had people spilling their drinks on me. and some vendors ran out of beer.

perhaps im wrong but when i attended last year i noticed that a large percentage of the people mostly go to get drunk, and could care less about the sampling or craft aspect.

all of these issues i had last year make me not want to attend this years event. i want to attend again so i can actually do sampling of the beer but im not wasting my money and time if i am going to encounter the same problems.

thoughts?

[KMcK]

Saturday afternoon seems to be the most civilized session.

Joanne also said they're reducing the sessions from 3 to 2.5 hours each to reduce alcohol consumption.

[Jimmy]

I'll be making my way down either Friday night, or Saturday afternoon this year. I went on Saturday night last year and missed out on most of the brews I had planned on trying.

[BobbyOK]

I'll be making my way down either Friday night, or Saturday afternoon this year. I went on Saturday night last year and missed out on most of the brews I had planned on trying.

They're holding back some of the "highlight" beers until Saturday afternoon, just so you know. Another reason to go to the afternoon session.

[BobbyOK]

So who's going to what? I'm hitting the Saturday afternoon session. H&T after. Possibly before as well.

Anybody heading to the Brewer's brunch at Maxwell's?

[mr x]

I would like to make that, but I think I'll be in the valley. If I'm on HFX though, I would like to do that one.

[chalmers]

I'm volunteering Friday night, at the Maine tent. Come say hi if you are down there then. I'll be the handsome one.

As for attending and drinking, I'm going to the Sat afternoon session. Remember that this is the session with all of the low-quantity brews, like Acadie-Broue and Hells Bay/Rusty Anchor. So I'll be sure to hit those early in the session. I'd strongly suggest people hit this one. In addition to more beers, there's less of the "frat boy" mentality than the evening sessions.

I'm strongly considering the brewer's brunch, are you going, Bobby? Saturday morning from 10-12. No idea which brewers will be there, though.

I looked at Troy Burtch's dinner Thursday, but decided against it.

[BobbyOK]

I looked at Troy Burtch's dinner Thursday, but decided against it.

I'm biting my tongue heavily on that. The beer choices made the decision to not go very easy. Clearly aimed at the beginner and not the enthusiast. 2 fruit beers for 5 courses? 3 if you consider that the IPA is made with Pineapple juice, 4 given that the Rickard's will come with Orange. Maybe if one was a lambic. And pairing the same beer with 3 different choices for course 3 and 4? Okay, so I guess I'm not biting my tongue.

Still deciding on the Brunch but I think I will try to make it. Wouldn't mind more detail on what will be available beyond Maxwell's regular line-up.

[chalmers]

Good summary of my thoughts as well. The choices just stink. Maybe he was stuck with whatever Brussels had in stock??

[meg_media]

Can't speak to the Brussels dinner, but I can answer Bobby's question about the beer brunch at Maxwell's. The food and beer offerings will be as per usual, but brunch is only $2 with the purchase of a beer. The brunch is more of a social event for folks to stop in and chat with brewers, brewery owners, festival volunteers, etc. Should be fun.