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dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1599
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 74.177.60.137
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 12:21 pm: | 
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I need to call in the collective on this. The radio stations are considering a major promotional event this year, and I need some guidance on how to proceed.
The idea is to have a West TN Cigar and Home/ Craft Brew Festival . . a real man event!
Since one of our stations is an affiliate of the Cigar Dave Show, we are going to see if he'll come and do his show from here that weekend. Someone else is handling the organization of that . . .
My task is to attempt to organize the beer portion of the festival, contacting home brewers who may want to participate, and any other craft breweries sort of in the geographic area, even AB or other mega distributors who may wish to showcase/ introduce their wares.
I know this is kinda vague and generalized, but what sort of logistics am I faced with, what are the pitfalls, and how do you handle any liability issues? Any input on these or other considerations is most welcome.
Oh, and if we do this, ya'll are invited! |
Paul Hayslett
Senior Member
Username: Paulhayslett
Post Number: 2034
Registered: 02-2002
Posted From: 71.234.46.245
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:04 pm: |
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The venue needs a liquor license. Every state has different rules, so check with your state liquor board about what you'll need. A big hall probably already has the necessary permits, but you might need a temporary license to hold the event in a park or parking lot.
You'll need some way of separating the homebrews from the craft brews so that it is obvious that the homebrews are free. For instance, we have a local craft beer fest here where the local homebrew shops also pour samples. You have to buy tickets to trade for craft brew samples but no tickets are required for the homebrew. Maybe you could use a separate area if you don't want to deal with tickets. The key is to protect the homebrewers from the charge that they are selling their beer.
Only your insurance agent can tell you how much liability insurance you'll need. My guess is "a lot". Hiring a few off-duty cops to keep an eye on the crowd and making a big "don't drive home drunk" push might help lower the rates. (Most local fests here offer free food and soft drinks for designated drivers, identified with a different color bracelet or some such.)
Plan to buy more ice than you think you can possibly need. Truckloads.
Personal appeal: I'll tell you what makes or breaks a beer festival for me, determining which ones I'll go to again and which I won't: enough space to move about; dump buckets so people don't use the floor (and hired help to empty them frequently); convenient, free, plentiful water; decent food, even if you have to pay extra for it; small(ish) pours that encourage respectful tasting rather than getting bombed. |
Paul Edwards
Senior Member
Username: Pedwards
Post Number: 1688
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 76.252.0.202
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 01:16 pm: |
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dhacker,
The local microbrew fests here team up with a local charity. The ones they partner with have people who are experienced at putting on all sorts of events- liability insurance, temp permits, volunteers, food vendors, venues, portapotties (for outdoor events), the whole shooting match.
In exchange, the event donates a percentage of the proceeds to the charity.
Paul's advice is very sound. No tokens for the HB at the evvents around here, either. |
Steve Jones
Advanced Member
Username: Stevej
Post Number: 600
Registered: 08-2001
Posted From: 199.190.8.13
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 02:40 pm: |
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dhacker,
If I were you I'd contact Janna Garner of the Music City Brew Fesival (JannaGarner@musiccitybrewersfest.com) and ask her how to get started.
It seems that festivals are run differently in the Southeast ... I've been to a few in NC and TN, and there are no 'tokens' ... the price of admission gets you a wrist band and a sample glass, and all samples are free (with a few exceptions ... like a 'cask ale tent'). |
ChriSto
Intermediate Member
Username: Christo
Post Number: 499
Registered: 02-2006
Posted From: 216.176.226.154
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 03:01 pm: |
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For a combination homebrew/craft brew event, I'd talk with the Carolina Brewmasters as they put on a huge Oktoberfest event each year in Charlotte with both home and craft brews.
Don't have their info here at present but I'm sure you can do a search for their website and get an information email link. |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1601
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 72.4.22.214
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 10:40 pm: |
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Hey guys, thanks . . good ideas all around. We got the green light to push ahead so I'm sure I'll have more questions . . |
Vance Barnes
Senior Member
Username: Vancebarnes
Post Number: 3556
Registered: 03-2003
Posted From: 74.7.7.66
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 - 11:00 pm: |
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Think I'd try to pawn off the insurance to the radio station sponsors. Sounds like a blast. You just need to add some power tools and fireworks! And invite Tim Allen, ughhhh |
dhacker
Senior Member
Username: Dhacker
Post Number: 1602
Registered: 11-2002
Posted From: 74.177.60.137
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 12:08 am: |
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I was think more along the lines of scantily clad babes . .   |
Kevin Kowalczyk
Intermediate Member
Username: Itsfunbrewingbeer
Post Number: 417
Registered: 10-2007
Posted From: 67.167.4.225
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 02:38 pm: |
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There were scantily clad babes at the 2007 Great Taste of the Midwest. New Holland brewing had a burlesque show at their booth. There was a bit of an uproar about it (read the comments):
http://newhollandbrew.blogspot.com/2007/08/great-taste-of-midwest-beer-list.html |
Bill Pierce
Moderator
Username: Billpierce
Post Number: 9838
Registered: 01-2002
Posted From: 24.150.192.193
| | Posted on Thursday, January 15, 2009 - 04:34 pm: |
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Using sex to sell the sizzle is as old as humanity. Almost no convention or trade show is without attractive young female "presenters" at many of the booths and exhibits. And certainly beer advertising has long featured scantily clad models (the Swedish Bikini Team, anyone?).
Craft beer promotions have usually been on a somewhat higher plane, focusing on selling flavor to a more knowledgeable customer base. It's been sadly more than six years since I was last at the Great Taste of the Midwest. There used to be more tasteful displays of female beauty. I recall some servers in German bierhaus attire, and the staff from Schlaffly with hop vines entwined in their hair. I agree that strippers seem extreme. |
Brews and Views Archive 2009 
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