Convention of our own

[wortchillergoal]

Has anyone ever talked of doing a realbeer convention? I saw one thread on a search where the idea was put forth in a small step but it seems nothing came of it.

I beleive it would be cool to have a get together planned out. I could probably be coaxed into helping but I think it would be more than a one or two man job.

What do you the community of realbeer think?

[fretlessman71]

How would we decide where to hold it? Can't really do a lot of travelling for awhile....

Maybe we all ought to meet up at the GABF in Denver - not a bad reason to get together, although it sort of defeats the idea of having our own convention.... just thinking out loud.

[hops99]

I think it's a great idea; I recall chiming in on a thread last Fall. Are we thinking a BYOB convention, getting breweries involved, etc. etc.? Time of year? Location (maybe Great Lakes/Midwest)?

An annual event for the realbeer community would be fun and educational.

[wortchillergoal]

These are great thoughts. I would guess trying to hit mid country would be best. I would also believe to do this right that we would be looking a year or two down the road dependig on size and complexity of the agenda.

[hops99]

I also think that a location pre-requisite would be to host it in a town or city that has ample breweries to visit. I think the midwest makes the most sense (and not just because I live here - it seems that a majority of the contributing members on realbeer hail from the Great Lakes area), and a city like Chicago or Cleveland would provide us a great time. Or, maybe something offbeat like Kalamazoo (which has 3 or 4 good breweries in addition to Bell's).

As for timing, how about a Spring festival (like April or May). It seems like everyone is always more available in the non-summer months. Just some random thoughts...

[danno]

let's just all show up at brewmonkey's house next weekend :D he's centrally located...

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by danno
let's just all show up at brewmonkey's house next weekend :D he's centrally located...

Yeah - I'm down with that. Hey Ed - what's your address? I need to send you a ummm.....beer sample - yeah that's it ---- a beer sample lol

[brewmonkey]

Originally posted by danno
let's just all show up at brewmonkey's house next weekend :D he's centrally located...

Oddly that has happened in the past. I am a member of another board (military related) where a good number of people were going to be in my area all within the same week. Thank God I have a good sized house and plenty of floor space.

My wife is a great sport, as long as there is beer for her she is game.

[chazwicke]

Is that an invite?

[brewmonkey]

My house is always open to my friends. Nothing better then waking up and having your neighbors thinking the worst of you! :D We have had some doozies at my place. Last time we still had people puking over the fence at 10am the next day.

Anyone is ever in the area they certainly need to drop a line though.

One of these days I will tell the story of one party that got me kicked off the delivery list from Pizza Slut! Took some smooth talking to get them to deliver to my house again.

[Beaver]

Originally posted by brewmonkey

One of these days I will tell the story of one party that got me kicked off the delivery list from Pizza Slut! Took some smooth talking to get them to deliver to my house again.

Cool, look forward to it. :)

[fretlessman71]

Of course, we'd all be much better behaved than those folks who would besmirch the name of good brew by tossing their cookies toward the greener grass on the other side of the fence, wouldn't we?

I SAID, "WOULDN'T WE??!?!?!??!?!?!??!?":mad:

[fretlessman71]

;)

[stronk]

Let's hold it in... London ...errrr... next to my house?:( please...?

[fretlessman71]

Only if you're putting the 1500 of us up for the three-day extravaganza! :D

[stronk]

Um. Did I mention that I'm going to be away in Timbuktu whilst this is happening...?

[steveh]

Originally posted by danno
let's just all show up at brewmonkey's house next weekend he's centrally located...

He he he! That one made me snicker - but he'd probably surprise us all and welcome us with open arms! :D

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by brewmonkey
Anyone is ever in the area they certainly need to drop a line though.

See? :D

S.

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by stronk
Let's hold it in... London ...errrr... next to my house?:( please...?

I second that motion!

[threecb]

I'd be down with a convention in the midwest. Seems logical to meet in the middle!

I'd even volunteer to help out in some way!:D

[fretlessman71]

I know.... let's have simultaneous (sp?) conventions - one on each side of the pond! Is there any way we could set up video conferencing between the two sides?

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by threecb
I'd be down with a convention in the midwest. Seems logical to meet in the middle!

I'd even volunteer to help out in some way!:D

I would too!

[stronk]

let's have simultaneous (sp?) conventions - one on each side of the pond
How many British members do we have, anyway? I know of two or three in London (Richard, me and someone I can't recall atm), but have the impression that there are not more than 4 or 5 overall.

[Bruno_78]

I would be more than willing to do whatever it takes to get this going. I'm in between k-zoo, chicago, and cleveland, so just let me know.

[wortchillergoal]

Since I started this thread, I am going to jump here and say it looks like we could all agree to some place in the mid west.

In order to get a better idea of where, I think we need to address if this is going to offer family type events as well as beer interest. That might greatly affect where to try this.

Once again, any ideas?

I don't mean to try to control this, but to pull it off these questions need to be asked.

[BluesHarp]

The midwest works for me, naturally... and for entertainment? The soon-to-be-world-renowned-but-yet-to-be-organized "Good Old Realbeer Brothers Boys Band"! :cool:

[Stodbrew]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
The midwest works for me, naturally... and for entertainment? The soon-to-be-world-renowned-but-yet-to-be-organized "Good Old Realbeer Brothers Boys Band"! :cool:


Sweet. Can I play drums? Cuz I'm definitely in.

[danno]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
The midwest works for me, naturally... and for entertainment? The soon-to-be-world-renowned-but-yet-to-be-organized "Good Old Realbeer Brothers Boys Band"!
would this be anything like the Foggy Bottom Boys from "Oh Brother Where Art Thou"? Because I bear an unbelievably striking resemblance to a devilishly handsome Dapper Dan(no) Pomeade wearing George Clooney... :D

[fretlessman71]

If I can make it, I'll be in as a bassist. Upright or Electric? Or both?

[chazwicke]

I can play the tamboreen? :D

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I can play the tamboreen? :D

LOL!

Yet. if chaz plys the tamboreen, I'll warm up the crowd telling jokes as I have no musical ability.

[threecb]

Originally posted by chazwicke
I can play the tamboreen?

And I can play an empty growler. We can go for that jug band sound. Of course, I'd have to empty the growler first...;)

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by BluesHarp
The midwest works for me, naturally... and for entertainment? The soon-to-be-world-renowned-but-yet-to-be-organized "Good Old Realbeer Brothers Boys Band"! :cool:

I'm in! I will do bass, guitar, mandolin..anything but sing!

[chazwicke]

I agree, no singing. I sing like a bagpipe with a hole in it.

[chazwicke]

Anyone play spoons or a saw?

[chazwicke]

Damn! had I known this was for sale, I would have bid and played IT with the band. Damn!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3720968219&category=621&s

[Bruno_78]

I've got an old wash board, and a jew's harp, and I can sing

[BluesHarp]

Well, this certainly has gotten a life of it's own :D

Sounds like we're on to something here!

Actually, each October some friends and I gather in Prairie du Chien, WI at "Barnstock". It is held in a big barn on an old farm that is now a park.
It is a collection of a few relatively serious musicians, members of a couple bar bands, and a some free-lancers. There are a few sets of planned rehearsed music, then the night ends with a big jam session...great fun!

[chazwicke]

Nice pict. I'm not certain where Prairie du Chien is although I have heard of it. Is it near Green Bay?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Nice pict. I'm not certain where Prairie du Chien is although I have heard of it. Is it near Green Bay?

PDC is closer to Dubuque than GB. IOW, on the Mighty Mississip!

S.

[studentofbeer]

i made a dulcimer. as for playing it, well im not so good at that.

[wortchillergoal]

Since we seem to have entertainment lined up, we need to pick a locale to hold this event. I'll start by suggesting Battle Creek , MI. Any other ideas?

[fretlessman71]

Abu Dhabi.

[wortchillergoal]

The action on this seems to have fizzled. We have volunteers to work at it. Should we try?

[Bruno_78]

Battle Creek is a fine suggestion. If I may make another, Fort Wayne, Indiana is fairly equi-distant from:

Chicago, Il (3 hours)
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, MI (2 hours)
Cleveland, OH (3 hours)
Indianapolis, In (2.5 hours)

Those four cities along with Fort Wayne itself would encompass more breweries and brewpubs than would be possible to visit.


I'm planning a motorcycle trip to Bell's tomorrow, I could do some scouting while I'm there. you know, see if Bell's is worth the visit.

[wortchillergoal]

That would be cool. I'm sure we would like that report no matter the reason.

[Bruno_78]

Well, here is my report on Bell's, it is a little long and a little off this topic, so I put it in another thread.

http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3785