Seaport Beerfest - the juicy details

[meg_media]

Hey all,

Beerfest press release went out this morning:

http://www.beergeeks.ca/2011/07/atlanti ... rfest.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm really psyched about the NSLC getting a clue and shipping in eight festival beers for the month of August. The new beers will be available at their "top selling stores" across NS and will include a sampler pack from Mill Street, a double chocolate stout, an extreme 8% ABV blueberry beer ... should be an interesting mix of beers we don't usually get to see around these parts.

[mr x]

Excellent!! Who are the maritime nanobreweries?

[jeffsmith]

Somehow I have a feeling that Amherst's NSLC stores likely aren't among those "top selling stores"…

[meg_media]

Yeah, we're excited, too! The nanobreweries are Acadie Brou from Dieppe and the newly branded Hell Bay of Mill Village, NS.

[NASH]

That extreme 8% ABV blueberry beer sounds fucking stunning!!!!





Sent from the hop-phone.

[chalmers]

Hey all,

Beerfest press release went out this morning:

http://www.beergeeks.ca/2011/07/atlanti ... rfest.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm really psyched about the NSLC getting a clue and shipping in eight festival beers for the month of August. The new beers will be available at their "top selling stores" across NS and will include a sampler pack from Mill Street, a double chocolate stout, an extreme 8% ABV blueberry beer ... should be an interesting mix of beers we don't usually get to see around these parts.

Looking forward to it too. And very excited to see the other events going on (NSLC bringing in good beer, Thursday night supper @ Brussels, Saturday Beer Brunch).

I vote the Brewnosers aim for the Saturday afternoon session. Seems like the least hectic of them all, and I believe someone had mentioned on Twitter (http://www.tweetdeck.com/twitter/SeaportBeerfest/~qJfx4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) that this was the session that is guaranteed to have all of the special/limited beers.

One disappointing thing is the loss of the complimentary ticket for volunteers. While you are allowed to have a few tasters while serving/helping otherwise during your volunteer session, the ticket for another session is a nice "thank you" to the volunteers. I know a few volunteers have already pulled out because of that change. Rising costs were cited as the reason to abandon this practice. As a trade-off, how about I wear last year's volunteer t-shirt, so you can keep this year's, and I'll take a ticket instead?

[mr x]

Yeah, that's not so good to see the ticket/volunteer relationship go down the tubes. I don't know of a wine festival in the city that isn't run on that system...

I'm interested in the Maxwell's brunch on Saturday.

[BobbyOK]

Wait, volunteering doesn't get you a ticket? I may have to reconsider volunteering then, since the only way I'd get out to 2 sessions on a summer weekend is if one session meant I saved the cost of the ticket for the second session. I suspect that's the case or anyone with young kids - which I suppose isn't really their target volunteer pool.

How does that address rising costs anyway? That assumes the volunteers are attending sold out sessions meaning they're not able to sell tickets to recover those costs (possible) and/or that the volunteers will automatically be buying tickets instead (a poor assumption).

[mr x]

I think the website says you get a ticket for half-price.

[BobbyOK]

On the upside - I see they've announced that Muskoka Mad Tom IPA will be one of the beers available at the NSLC around the time of the fest. It's been getting some praise since they abandoned the Sorachi Ace they used in the first batch.

[meg_media]

Hey guys, sorry I'm late to this part of the conversation. mr x is right, volunteers get 50% off their ticket, should they choose to buy one. Volunteers also get a free t-shirt and a free meal during a three hour shift that's more fun than work. I worked the event last year and had a blast - have never served so many happy people in my life.

[Tim Gregory]

So will we be getting a 50% off voucher at some point? I keep seeing "buy now, tickets will sell out". It would stink if we got our vouchers the night before at the training session or something and all the tix we want are sold.

[meg_media]

No need to worry about that, Tim. When filling out the volunteer form, you specify "I want to work session X and need a discounted ticket to session Y." Once you're confirmed as a volunteer, that means a ticket for session Y is reserved just for you. If you have any more questions about this, just send an email to Joanne (who's handling Beerfest communications) at: joanne@seaportbeerfest.com.

[chalmers]

Hey guys, sorry I'm late to this part of the conversation. mr x is right, volunteers get 50% off their ticket, should they choose to buy one. Volunteers also get a free t-shirt and a free meal during a three hour shift that's more fun than work. I worked the event last year and had a blast - have never served so many happy people in my life.

Just a note on the "meal". Last year the ticket was not accepted for anything more than a tiny appetizer, and even then, I couldn't wait in line long enough to redeem it (didn't want to leave my brothers and sisters in arms too long).

And my offer still stands: save the t-shirt, and I'll take a ticket. I'll have to let Joanne know my great idea.

[Tim Gregory]

Just curious who has signed up to volunteer so far. I signed up for Friday a while ago. The page says they have all the volunteers they need for the Friday session.

[ratchet]

I'm in for Friday as well.... I think I was one of the last ones too.

[chalmers]

EZ and I signed up for Friday, but she said she will back out if the ticket for Saturday is not free. I'm torn on it...

[KMcK]

EZ and I signed up for Friday, but she said she will back out if the ticket for Saturday is not free. I'm torn on it...

So you both work Friday, combine your two half tickets for one full ticket, and she gets to go Saturday.

[Tim Gregory]

I'm still in. 50% is still better than paying full price and it's still a fun time. But it does sting a bit.

[NASH]

it does sting a bit.

It's an awful awful idiotic money grab. Without the volunteers 2 things could happen - there would be no beer booths from away save for the couple where the brewers come themselves or they would have to pay wages to have the booths manned. But no, instead it's come work your hole off to make my beerfest happen for free then you can give me 20 bones or so to join in on the fun. God damned tight ass fucks. Fucking disgrace to the industry, nowhere else on the continent will you find volunteers being asked to pay.



Sent from the hop-phone.

[LiverDance]

Seriously Nash, tell us how you really feel

[NASH]

Seriously Nash, tell us how you really feel

Sent from the hop-phone.

[BBrianBoogie]

I agree, that's just ridiculous.

[meg_media]

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. We want to make sure it's worth their while to keep coming back to the fest to sample their new brews on the east coast. But if it rubs you the wrong way and you decide not to take part, that's your call.

[KMcK]

This doesn't make sense, Meg. I've been told by an exhibitor that they don't receive any financial compensation for participating and we know that they don't charge particpants for the beer. Also, if they're coming here themselves then they don't need volunteers. It's the ones who can't afford to come themselves that need our help. Where is the money going?