Matt,

As I mentioned in the other thread this was a great event. I like the idea of keeping it the same size, but I have a hunch that there will be many disappointed folks come registration next year!

I did have one idea to consider for next year: how about starting the Beerolympics a little later? This was a fantastic mixer event (got to meet many really nice beer-lovers), but once the Beerolympic competition started, most of the mixing ground to a halt. No big deal, just an observation. If prizes are reduced (saving time) and registration goes a bit quicker, then maybe this won't matter anyway.

Thanks again for all the hard work!

-Ed

 

The Frau was doing the same thing for us She kept going out with bottles of our stuff and reappearing with other stuff

 

No question this year was even better than last year. Great job Matt!

I sure wish I had a partner to help me. Since I got a little bit of a slow start and I spent the last hour at the registration desk I ended up bringing back a full case of my own stuff. Good thing I like that beer!

One piece of feedback: I don't know if there is even a choice in the matter, but I think it would help having the long rectangle tables instead of the round ones. I think you could actually fit a few more people without being much more crowded (maybe allowing for a limit of 300 vs. this year's 250). It would also be easier to handle the sampling. I couldn't reach the other side of my table without having to walk around a bunch of people and stuff. (I seem to remember you finding out about the round tables last-minute yourself, so you're probably already on top of this one.)

 

Having a partner, whether spousal or friend, is a great method for doing the swap. Each of the people can have a turn going out, mingling and swapping while the other mans the table.

Ed, I do think starting the Beerlympics later is a good idea. Since I'll keep prizes to a minimum and pull for that early that should work out nicely. Figure 2 hours of swap time before the games should be sufficient...maybe 2.5 hours.

 

Matt:

I know there were many disappointed attendees that wanted to join in on not only the Brew Swap but also the dinners (the Not-So-Welcome-Dinner logos, for example) that were limited by available space. (I suppose for fire safety capacity of the building.) Would it be too difficult to get a LARGE tent that could be placed on a nice flat area (I know this may be limited, too!) to accomodate more registered members so as not to disappoint those that want to be part of all the events? I've been part of some BIG outdoor events at racetracks where they can easily fit 500 people under one of these tents with portable toilets outside. Even if this were to raise the registration costs by $10/person I think it's worth it so as not to make anyone feel left out.

Otherwise great job on the Brew Swap and look forward to it again.

 

This is something that is being discussed with Fontana. Magic 8 ball says: Chances are good. ...but the Brew Swap is not likely to be one of the events in such a tent.

 

John, yeah the round tables were not my choice. I was under the impression I would have rectangular tables up until a week before the event. If the dinner changes that were discussed at our meeting go into effect next year then there should be no issue with having rectangular tables. I'll be sure to cover the issue specifically with Fontana once we know how the dinner plans are going to shake out.

CooperGuy, the thing is, this event seems to me to be better suited to a smaller crowd than an unlimited crowd. The dinner situation is being looked at and will hopefully be rectified for next year. As for the Brew Swap, I like the idea of keeping it limited. If we were to increase the size (for argument's sake let's say we have the space) then I'd have to increase the price of the ticket to cover expenses. And I don't want to do that. I was surprised I got no push back this year on the $6 fee. I don't want to push it to $10. I don't even want to push it to $8. I may have too, we'll see. If the masses enjoy getting things like the pint glasses then the fee needs to stay. If no one cares about the glasses then we can ditch that part of it and save money.

The Beerlympics next year will probably have a small costs to them (i.e. each member pays $5) but that would be to cover the cost of the glasses and/or shirts. I think the teams next year want to make up their own shirts so that cost can be removed as well. It's all a balancing act. I have $150 left over from the Swap which is now the starting budget for next year's swap.

I also need to know if we should do the home brewing competition again. I know most didn't see that going on but that's not really a spectator event. But if other home brewers out there want to try their hand at it to win an award then we can do it again.

This is why I need your feedback so keep it coming. Good stuff so far.

 

Matt, I had no problem with the $6 at all and never even considered the Glasses as part of that. And if food's involved... $10 is still a VERY decent price (IMHO of course)

 

Matt - Awesome job on everything! The Brew Swap was fun and the Beerlympics was simply amazing. I can't wait for next year when we move up from second to first place. Detroit Demolition shall demolish The Queens (or whatever you called yourselves)!!!

 

Matt,
First of all, it was great seeing you and Heidi again this year. Secondly, you hands-down outdid yourself from last year. This was simply an unbelievable event. Keep it the same size. It was perfect.

If you need help with anything, please let me know. I'd love to help out any way I can.

On the prize thing, here's a thought: how about a silent auction. That way people that want something really bad can blow as much as they want. And we can raise some money for a favorite charity, like Alcoholics Anonymous! If you need help with prize organization, let me know and I'll help out all I can.

Thanks also to Chad for hooking me up on a replacement BS1 pint glass, and thanks again to Tori for hooking the unregistered slacker up on a dash plaque.

 

I had a great time, and I dont drink Beer :-) I might have to get a taste for it just so i can do the games next year :-)

 

Consider yourself volunteered for next year. Just make sure you register for everything next time.

The main reason to ditch the prizes is that it is time consuming. Feel free to think about a way it could be done that wouldn't involve stopping the event and broadcasting the winners, etc, etc. I'm open to ideas, I just don't see a way to do it to where it isn't a drag.

Drill, I still have no plans to offer any type of food at the event. Starting at 6pm in the evening should allow people time to eat dinner prior to the event and thus negate the need for food.

 

It's definitely an acquired taste. When I first started drinking beer I hated the taste. Then I found one I liked and that kind of turned it around for me. Since I put on the Brew Swap last year I've found myself appreciating more and more styles. I used to hate ALL dark beers. Now I like some, don't like others.

It is truly fun to try new beers and taste the plethora of flavors out there.

 

And if I cant find one I like, can I play with Shots?

 

Sorry, I thought I saw mention of Hors D'ourves in an earlier post/comment.

 

You, sir, must be a dangerous man to drink with!

 

Tons of Brew Swap photos

http://www.greensite.net/photos/imag...wap/index.html

 

Just a few quick pics:

Poster created by Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee WI:




And the winning home brews:



Cheers,
Ed

 

My fridge post brewswap

 

Matt & Heidi,

Wooohooo! What a terrific event! I don't even drink beer and I LOVE going to your Brew Swap.

Tag teaming for the swap is definitely the way to do it. It allows for maximum socializing and table coverage. I loved being in the larger room. The crowd was just the right size and it was comfortable the entire time - room and temperature.

Thank you so much for all your hard work!! We can't wait until next year!!!

 

Hey, I registered for the one event that counts, right?

Here's an idea for the prize thing. Instead of stopping the festivities to announce prize winners, just post the winners on a whiteboard and the people can check it at their leisure and see if they won.

 

You do eat food sometimes though, don't you?

 

Not much of anything perishable til I get to drinkin

 

If you want to go into full geek mode, use a laptop and projector and display the winners on the wall after the computer picks them at random. You could also attach a fixed position camera to it so we can get a top-down view over the beerlympics

I WILL have my carputer and camera fully integrated by next MOTD, and would be glad to help setup the e-Brewswap

 

You are welcome for the help. I had a great time at the event. It was a blast!! I can't wait till next year. If you need any help for next year, I will gladly do so.