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View Full Version : Good luck Ed, Hay on Wye Beer Fest



Conrad
23-09-2010, 13:02
I know Ed has been working hard on his first beer festival:
388 (http://www.thehaybrewery.co.uk/festival)
Anyone wanting to read about his extensive prep can see his blog (http://studentbrewer.blogspot.com/).

Anyway enough pimping, just to say good luck and I hope it is so busy that you are at the edge of your ability to organise it ;), but not beyond.

Have a really good weekend Ed.

aleandhearty
23-09-2010, 13:12
Have a really good weekend Ed.

I'd like to wish you all the best as well. For a first attempt it sounds mightily impressive. I can imagine all the hard work that's gone into it. Good luck.

runningdog
23-09-2010, 19:21
I'd like to wish you all the best as well.
Having just read your blog, I can only echo the sentiments expressed by Conrad and a&h, my only problem is that I can't be there. May you be drunk dry and may any problems be easily solvable. Above all, may you enjoy every minute..........:drinkup::drinkup::drinkup::notwor thy::notworthy::glass::drinkup:

Eddie86
27-09-2010, 12:34
Thanks all, the festival was great fun, although I've got the tidy up and take down still to do.

Attendance wasn't great, especially on the Sunday and the festival certainly made a loss. However, as this was the first year it has to be remembered all the capital costs - the marquees are affectively 'free' next year and the year after. I've met some fantastic people, enjoyed some great beer and learnt a hell of a lot. Planning for next year starts in 2 weeks time - the biggest thought is whether to move the dates to August bank holiday which should be warmer and see a better turnout on the Sunday night.

I'm very thankful to my guests - their patience, understanding and support was appreciated more than I can write down. On the plus side, because of the very cold nights we've had out in the marquee, the beer should stay in good condition up to and including this weekend, so hopefully a few more pints can be sold over the bar (it takes a great deal of patience to move 'live' casks!!!)

lechyd da!

Quinno
27-09-2010, 14:52
the biggest thought is whether to move the dates to August bank holiday which should be warmer and see a better turnout on the Sunday night.

that sounds like a plan to me - plenty of tourists around too.

How about coinciding it with the Literary Festival? (that is Hay, rather Ross isn't it?)

Conrad
27-09-2010, 17:48
that sounds like a plan to me - plenty of tourists around too.

How about coinciding it with the Literary Festival? (that is Hay, rather Ross isn't it?)
I would of thought that the Literary Festival is a good enough weekend, whereas setting it at a different weekend gives a second bite of the cherry. I am guessing August would mean more people, and during the Summer school break if that makes a difference.

Conrad
30-09-2010, 11:44
A follow up blog from Ed (http://studentbrewer.blogspot.com/2010/09/summary-of-festival.html) on it, because I am a bitter person I smiled at point 2 (although one more than we sent), and point 3 made it sound really fun.

Eddie86
30-09-2010, 12:27
What we were aiming to do was increase footfall to the town over a quiet weekend - I purposely didn't put it on at a time when people would already be in town. Although that sounds like a strange idea, the A&L fest was always meant to be a grower, and with supportive comments from people like Peter Amor, whose Barrels hosts an August Bank Holiday festival with around 80 ales on handpump, I'm looking forward to next year already!

runningdog
30-09-2010, 18:17
What we were aiming to do was increase footfall to the town over a quiet weekend..... I'm looking forward to next year already!
Sounds like it was a hoot, young Eddie, wish I'd...., well you can guess the rest.:notworthy:
As for the food and beer matching, give me sticky honey and whatever mackerel on a bed of cockles and bacon, who cares what the beer is..........:D:drinkup::drinkup:

Eddie86
30-09-2010, 21:44
Sounds like it was a hoot, young Eddie, wish I'd...., well you can guess the rest.:notworthy:
As for the food and beer matching, give me sticky honey and whatever mackerel on a bed of cockles and bacon, who cares what the beer is..........:D:drinkup::drinkup:

We're looking to do bi-monthly or even monthly food & ale pairings now - that was a huge success!