Realbeer Convention

[chazwicke]

Wort, Bruno and I have been seriously discussing putting together a national get together or convention. We need YOUR SERIOUS input. We are willing to do the work if we think that there is serious interest. We have a few questions.


#1. Would you attend and would it be just you or would you bring your family.

#2. What time of year would be most convenient for you to attend?

#3. Where would the best location be? Region? State? City?

#4. would you be more apt to attend if it was a campground or do you prefer a hotel based location?

#5. Would you prefer organized brewery tours / pubcrawls with transportation provided or staying in a stationary location with brewers or beer coming to us?


What is likely to occur is that we will process the responses, choose location and time and then at some point ask for a deposit to guarantee that those who say they will attend actually do. We will need a count to see what kind of rates we can get on lodging and tours. Or to figure out how much beer we may need.

This could be fun. Maybe we could have a beer exchange where folks bring their local stuff and trade or exchange it. Possibly many may bring homebrew to sample. We can probably arrange for some local brewers to come and speak with us or send samples of their beer. We may arrange for a small bus or limo to take us on a tour of local beer places. If families are coming we will need to have activities for them too. We just kind of need to get an idea of the number and scales we are dealing with. Or if there is any SERIOUS interest at all. Lastly, would you beinterested in helping organize?

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
#1. Would you attend and would it be just you or would you bring your family.

Alone, possibly a date.

#2. What time of year would be most convenient for you to attend?

I'd say Summer at this point, good weather could make for easy outdoor access for large groups as well as travel. And who doesn't like drinking beer outside?

#3. Where would the best location be? Region? State? City?

Easy for me to say, already being pretty much center of the country, but I'd say somewhere centrally located. For those on each coast I believe this would more fair.

#4. would you be more apt to attend if it was a campground or do you prefer a hotel based location?

I guess this would depend on the campground and the duration of the "convention." Hotel rooms are easy to escape to and "freshen up" or just decompress. However, camping is always fun.
#5. Would you prefer organized brewery tours / pubcrawls with transportation provided or staying in a stationary location with brewers or beer coming to us?

Wow - now it's complicated. Hadn't thought of any more fun than hangin' out and drinking beer with friends. I think going to pubs or breweries in organized fashion could be easier than coaxing brewers to another "fest." JMO.

I hope I didn't add more questions than real answers - have you guys discussed any possibilities between yourselves?

S.

[threecb]

1: Me and The Missus. We wouldn't need any additional activities for family members. I'm just lucky that way!

2: It wouldn't matter what time of year for me, but Summer is probably best.

3: I'd think the Chicago/Midwest, or possibly Denver or somewhere else in CO. Either coast would be a PITA and greater expense for those on the opposite coast.

4: If it's in a more metropolitan area, camping could be difficult to organize and get around if tours/tastings are included. If the option where we gather and bring beers in, camping may work out. The only thing about camping is that we'd have to fly with camping equipment, or rent locally (or stay at a campground with cabins or similar). Of course, with a big enough gathering, we could share equip and just bring the essentials (beer and sleeping bags:D).

5: I like to visit the local places when I travel, so I might have a stronger inclination towards organized tours/crawls. But I'm not opposed to gathering and sharing (esp. if it's a camping trip).

So count me in as SERIOUSly interested!

[hops99]

1. Me and possibly my wife (as cool as it would be to make something like this family-friendly, my recommendation would be to keep it an adult-only event).

2. I think any time of year would be convenient, as long as we all have enough advance notice for the date. However, I'm going to go against the grain a bit here, and say that Winter would be a great time to have a convention. The reason? It seems that, for me anyway, Summer weekends fill up so quickly (vacations, family events, other beer festivals, etc.) whereas Winter weekends are typically much more flexible. Furthermore, there rarely seems to be alot going on in Winter beer-wise (sparse festivals, etc.), that it would be something great to look forward to, in say, January or February. The threat of inclement weather would be an obvious drawback, but a small one IMO.

3. I too, think the Midwest makes the most sense geographically speaking (and no, not just because I'm here in Ohio). As for the precise location, Chicago would be logical, but I'd also like to see some smaller locales considered. For example, how about a convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan - where we could go on a pubcrawl that would include Olde Peninsula, Kraftbrau, and of course...Bell's (heck, Bell's and Kraftbrau are right across the street from each other). Or Cleveland, with Great Lakes, Rocky River, Buckeye Brewing, Willoughby, Brew Kettle, etc.

The bottom line, though, is that there would be so many great cities across the country where an inaugural realbeer get-together would be a great fit - let's just make sure that the city meets a couple of basic requirements:
a) there are at least three or four very good brewpubs to visit
b) at least one great beer bar to stop at.
c) a city where chicks dig fat, balding guys.

4. Definitely hotel. Having an event outside brings in the possibility of weather dictating the weekend. I'd rather focus on the beer and socializing than worry about the weather. To that end, I'd rather an event indoors, if possible. I think it would also make setup and cleanup easier.

5. Maybe a little bit of both!

The beer exchange idea is a GREAT one, too!

[danno]

1) probably me and the wife, or perhaps just me. (really depends how far away it is...)

2) doesn't really matter to me, but I don't think I want to camp outside in the winter... (I get enough of that with the Boy Scouts)

3) I'll join the Chicago/midwest bandwagon... something within driving distance, only because my wife hates to fly...

4) see #2...

5) I'm guessing this would be a two day event? probably a weekend? If it's longer than one day, it would be nice to get out to a brewery or a tour, but I don't think we want to over-organize this...

I'd be interested in helping, at least on a small scale. If we do a camping thing, I have access (via my club) to a large traveling jockey box, I believe it currently has eight taps for corny hookups...

Side note, since there are a large number of homebrewers here, I think a simple contest would be in order too... two or three categories, and I think we have a couple of BJCP certified judges to give it at least the appearance of dignity and propriety...

[skahtboi]

#1. Would you attend and would it be just you or would you bring your family.

Possibly the missus along with me. It would depend on what she had going on...etc.

#2. What time of year would be most convenient for you to attend?

Summer.

#3. Where would the best location be? Region? State? City?

Of course, for me, it would be somewhere in the Dallas area. However, I am open to any locale.

#4. would you be more apt to attend if it was a campground or do you prefer a hotel based location?

Hotel based.

#5. Would you prefer organized brewery tours / pubcrawls with transportation provided or staying in a stationary location with brewers or beer coming to us?

I think that a pubcrawl would be great. However, either would work.

[Bruno_78]

#1. Myself and my girlfriend, possibly.

#2. Late fall/winter would be most convenient for me.

#3. This may be a little biased, but somewhere around here (south bend, Indiana) would be good. Bell's, three floyds, goose island, mad anthony, if you count indianapolis and chicago area, there is a myriad of breweries within about 2 hours drive.

#4. I would prefer a hotel probably, but not opposed to camping

#5. Though I wouldn't mind touring a brewery, I would prefer to stay stationary.

[wortchillergoal]

I think the midwest would be best in terms of bwing able to get the most people together.

Is there someplace where me might be able to get both hotel/motel rooms and camp sites for those who wish?

I qwould think touring places would be cheaper than bringing beer people to us as we would need a hall.

Time for me would be summer save for the last week July/first week Aug. Well, next to lasr weekend in Aug not good for me nor is Labor Day weekend but prices would be higher at time I would think. Then Sept. thru Oct. would be ok as well.

Family things would be great but will drive cost up. I would like that though.

Come on beer lovers, speak so we may raise a glass together.

[b3s]

wrt #3...what about at GAB?

[wild]

#1. My wife may come along depending on the outcome of #3 & #4.

#2. Any place and time that the temperature is comfortable.

#3. Central USA I think would be the best bet for all.

#4. I'm good with the campground but I'm sure the wife would like the Hotel.

#5. I think tours would be more memorable but I can be a bit on the lazy side if need be.

Wild

[chazwicke]

Originally posted by b3s
wrt #3...what about at GAB?

Welcome Back B3s. You've been gone a while.

[fretlessman71]

Right now, there's simply no way to tell what the future holds for me, and thus I am unable to commit to anything. It would certainly be a lot of fun, but finances being what they are, and having lost all of my savings in Nashville, we'll just have to see how good the Lord is to me regarding money, not to mention the music scene here in CO. It's looking up; more work is coming in and Sept. purports to be a pretty dang good month, so we'll see.

If you had it here in CO I wouldn't have to worry about the travel, but I tend to agree with those who say that the Chicago area is probably the best. Maybe KC or Denver the NEXT time, eh? :)

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
For example, how about a convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan - where we could go on a pubcrawl that would include Olde Peninsula, Kraftbrau, and of course...Bell's (heck, Bell's and Kraftbrau are right across the street from each other).

I heard a rumor that Kraftbrau is owned by Larry Bell's ex-wife...any substance to that?

Or Cleveland, with Great Lakes, Rocky River, Buckeye Brewing, Willoughby, Brew Kettle, etc.

And the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! And Indians baseball!

Both of these places are within decent driving distance of me - not too close, not too far. I'd entertain them both as location picks.

S.

[steveh]

Originally posted by chazwicke
#3. Where would the best location be? Region? State? City?

Milwaukee (not Milwaukie) might be a good thought too - lots of neighborhood bars, downtown brew-pubs, not to mention 2 very good micros in Sprecher and Lakefront. I've always wanted to take the Miller tour followed by the Sprecher or Lakefront tour as an experiment in contrasts!

It's not a huge city, nor a small town. There's a great Irish themed bed and breakfast on the city's north side, along the lake, with a nice pub too!

Just some thoughts.

S.

[threecb]

I like the idea of Cleveland as an alternate suggestion. I could drive there easy enough. Also, I've been to Chicago and would always be up for a new destination to visit.

Milwaukee sounds like a possibility, too. I saw Rachel Ray hit it up on an episode of $40 a day. She's got good taste in beer and often seeks out the local brews on that show. Even if she stretches it a bit with the whole "$40" concept.

And the idea of a BnB could work out nicely. Many of them (and some small inns) would be willing to rent out their place to a group, and it could work for lodging, depending on how big the group got.

I've been meaning to get to NH to the Woodstock Inn. They have brewers weekends that I've heard nothing but raves about. A bit out of the way for most people here though.:rolleyes:

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by steveh
Milwaukee (not Milwaukie) might be a good thought too - lots of neighborhood bars, downtown brew-pubs, not to mention 2 very good micros in Sprecher and Lakefront. I've always wanted to take the Miller tour followed by the Sprecher or Lakefront tour as an experiment in contrasts!

It's not a huge city, nor a small town. There's a great Irish themed bed and breakfast on the city's north side, along the lake, with a nice pub too!

Just some thoughts.

S.

Good thought Steve, I would be up for Milwaukee seeing that I'm only 20 minutes away. ;) There are also some great brewpubs, being Waterstreet Brewery, Milwaukee Alehouse, Delafield Brewhaus. It is also very centrally located.

[b3s]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Welcome Back B3s. You've been gone a while.

thanks, chaz...yeah, been awhile.

[b3s]

Originally posted by O2 Mash
Good thought Steve, I would be up for Milwaukee seeing that I'm only 20 minutes away. ;) There are also some great brewpubs, being Waterstreet Brewery, Milwaukee Alehouse, Delafield Brewhaus. It is also very centrally located.

water street is nice, never been to the alehouse. the lakefront brewery tour is one of the best values out there. there's also the milwaukee river brewpub tour.

[Fast_Eddy]

As long as I get at least 3 months notice I can probably be anywhere in the US. Would probably just be me attending(sans wife and kids) and hopefully be held over a weekend. I'd love to meet all you guys( and girls) :)


Of note for all the TX RB'ers - the Annual Dixiecup HB Festival in Houston is coming up in Oct. I'll be there for that.

[steveh]

Originally posted by b3s
water street is nice, never been to the alehouse. the lakefront brewery tour is one of the best values out there. there's also the milwaukee river brewpub tour.

If you like Waterstreet (which I can take or leave), you'll love the Ale House - it's an outstanding pub and has good brew.

River Brewpub Tour?

S.

County Clare (http://www.countyclare-inn.com/) is the B&B in Milwaukee.

[b3s]

Originally posted by steveh
If you like Waterstreet (which I can take or leave), you'll love the Ale House - it's an outstanding pub and has good brew.

River Brewpub Tour?


i don't recall much about it, but i seem to recall a boat tour along the milwaukee river that did the lakefront tour, hit a few brewpubs and other bars, and then dropped you back off at a central location.

[threecb]

The River Tour sounds like a good time!

[steveh]

Originally posted by hops99
For example, how about a convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan -

Talking about time zones on another thread prompted a memory on the thought of Kalamazoo (zoo - zoo) as the site of a convention. Being in western Michigan, Kalamazoo is on the furthest fringe of the Eastern Time Zone. In the Summer, specifically near the Solstice - around June 21 - 22, western Michigan enjoys some of the longest daylight in the country! It can remain bright near to 10:00 in the evening! Could be a plus-side factor for us.

S.

[stronk]

It would be best if you had some sort of deadline to work to. From my experience with organising meetings, it really gives people an incentive to work at it. It would also make sure that people don't accidentally book over the spot on their calendars.

[unkle bik]

Originally posted by steveh

And the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame! And Indians baseball!

Both of these places are within decent driving distance of me - not too close, not too far. I'd entertain them both as location picks.

S.

Great Lakes offers a free shuttle service in their veggie-diesel van to and from Indians and Browns games.
Might even offer one to the Hall, too.

[MeridianFC]

If it's anytime this year ('04) I don't think I'll be able to make it. The wife and I are expecting (well she's doin' the work) so my travel is limited to the immediate region.

If it's next year I can probably get away for a weekend. Pubs crawls and brewery tours sound good. I'm not against camping but more beer drinking can get done in an urban environment I'd hazard.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by steveh

River Brewpub Tour?





try this:

Riverwalk Boat tours (http://www.cafevecchio.com/riverwalkboat/tours/)

There may be others...I'll post if I find them.

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by Fast_Eddy
Of note for all the TX RB'ers - the Annual Dixiecup HB Festival in Houston is coming up in Oct. I'll be there for that.

Noted. Might zip down there and check it out. Have to see what's going on then.

[s00z]

I'm in I'm in! Especially if it's in Ohio....I can "visit the market" for work if that's the case. I actually know a lot of beer folks in Cleveland (due to the job) so I would be able to help coordinate with a local distributor or two...help us out on that front...get the guys from Great Lakes to pitch in too.

As for me...I'm single, young and have no children...so I'm all about camping....of course hotels do have their advantages...cuz I tend to be kind of cranky if I don't get a shower.

Fall is great. Nice crisp air. Maybe borderline winter, without snow.

I still haven't explored all of Cleveland and their breweries, so it would be fun to do at least one tour. But then again, I have tons to trade and share, and very rarely get a chance to do so, so that would be fun too.

I guess all in all, have brew will travel. :) -BeerGal

[steveh]

Originally posted by s00z
As for me...I'm single, young and have no children....

Okay, I have to be the first to make an ass of myself (I know I know, it's not the first time), A single, friendly, outgoing girl, who enjoys and has access to good beer - I think I'm in love! ;) Now if only I were in Ohio...

Welcome Sooz! Spread the word to your beer connections that we're here, backing the revolution against swill the world around!

S.

[fretlessman71]

Heeheehee.... love BEFORE first sight.... that's the way that I did it! :D

"Suzy and Stevie, sittin' in a tree.... D-R-I-N-- oh wait --that's too many letters...."

[Bruno_78]

Come on guys, don't scare her off now, we need more ladies around here.

[fretlessman71]

Hey... nothin' wrong with drinking in a tree, is there?

Unless you drink too much and you're on a high branch... ;)

Seriously, s00z... you are very welcome here, and we male-types are all very respectful of the ladyfolk that inhabit this e-dwelling with us. Please don't let me scare you off with my 4-hours-of-sleep-and-too-much-caffeine sense of humor!

[s00z]

*laughing* Why do you think I got INTO this business if it wasn't for all the 4-hours-of-sleep-and-too-much-caffeine-senses-of-humor!? ;) I'm pretty thick-skinned, so there isn't much you can say or do to scare me off!

And as for love BEFORE first sight....I tried to stick a picture of myself up on here as my avatar, but it was too big and I'm *so* not the techie. I'm not sure how I can take a picture and shrink it down to 70x70....but I'm guessing that's another thread?!!?

Anyway...Steve, don't stop with the flattery...I'm pretty susceptible to flattery from cute, beer-loving guys from Illinois...remember, have beer will travel! -BeerGal

[Bruno_78]

cute beer loving guys from Indiana are an hour and a half closer!

[hops99]

cute beer loving guys from Indiana are an hour and a half closer!

Now if only I were in Ohio...

s00z, let me apologize for these posers. As a fellow Buckeye, we need to be unified against these unwarranted advances - when an Ohioan is insulted, we're ALL insulted...

Besides, I read somewhere that Steveh and Bruno are both on parole. Beware!



;)

[SoxyinMO]

1. I would bring Brewzhound and me.

2. Summer through early Fall is the best time for us.

3. Midwest. Cleveland would not be too far, especially as I have family there; any town on a weekend the Sox are playing the local team would really add to MY enjoyment ;) . (I told you I was obsessed.)

4. We would be much more apt to attend if we could camp. Wortchillergoal has a point, though, that a lot of cities have nearby camping. Kansas City does for sure.

5. Pubcrawl or stay in place both sound good.

[Bruno_78]

Besides, I read somewhere that Steveh and Bruno are both on parole. Beware!




Who was insulting? Besides, it's not parole, it's probation! VERY different.

j/k about me, don't know about steve

[hops99]

Who was insulting?

Heh, I'm just grandstanding....

[steveh]

See, I told you I'd only be the first ass! ;-)

Sooz, any time you're in Chicago, I'd be glad to show you around! A big city ought to be an exciting change from that Ohio farmland! ;)

S.

Oh, and Bruno - didn't I meet someone named, um - Heather?

[s00z]

*laugh* This is more fun than I've had since I moved out here! And by the way :( I'm stuck in PA....but I can always get to Ohio using work as an excuse! I'm actually not a Buckeye, but if there's such a thing as an honorary one - I'd take it!

Probation/Parole....love it! It's that wild side of the brewmaster that you very rarely see! I'm sure the offense was brewing an ale with lager yeast right? hehehe

-BeerGal

[Bruno_78]

Brew an ale with lager yeast? Blasphemy!

Oh, yeah, Heather, Thanks for reminding me Steve.

[steveh]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
Oh, yeah, Heather, Thanks for reminding me Steve.

Heh, heh, heh.

S.

[Jeff]

1) Myself and maybe my wife (she isn't a beer drinker....yet)

2) Summer of Fall sounds best to me.

3) I'm going to stick with everybody else and say some place in central. Most of those mentioned already are fairly close, Chicago, KC, Cleveland.

4) Either camping or a hotel. Although if it were late fall or winter I would be more apt to get a hotel.

5) I have not honestly been on a brewery tour and would really like to go (yes, I have led a sheltered life). Pub crawls are always excellent as well.

Depending on how soon this is will have an effect on me. My wife just started school again and finances are getting tight. If it were still some time this year it might be tough, but next year might be a little easier.

[Bruno_78]

I've tried to summarize responses to this thread as much as possible.

1) You, or you and family

It looks like most people would be bringing a sig. other, and not need other family events.

2) Time of year

Summer is in the lead with fall being a close second

3) Camping or hotel

Hotel is winning but camping not far behind. looks like most people are relatively open.

4) crawls, or stationary

most people would prefer pub crawls and tours.

5) Location

This one is tough. Chicago and Cleveland have been mentioned a lot, but Milwaukee, Kalmazoo, and Colorado have also been mentioned.

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
I've tried to summarize responses to this thread as much as possible.

1) You, or you and family

It looks like most people would be bringing a sig. other, and not need other family events.

2) Time of year

Summer is in the lead with fall being a close second

3) Camping or hotel

Hotel is winning but camping not far behind. looks like most people are relatively open.

4) crawls, or stationary

most people would prefer pub crawls and tours.

5) Location

This one is tough. Chicago and Cleveland have been mentioned a lot, but Milwaukee, Kalmazoo, and Colorado have also been mentioned.

By the way, many may not realize this, but Milwaukee and Chicago are a little over an hour away from each other. I drive to Chicago a few days a week. I think there are even some breweries between the two, Steveh? And if it's camping that you want, you can choose between a thousand campgrounds.

[steveh]

Originally posted by O2 Mash
By the way, many may not realize this, but Milwaukee and Chicago are a little over an hour away from each other. I drive to Chicago a few days a week. I think there are even some breweries between the two, Steveh?

Indeed. I'm just about mid-way between both cities. Within the direct line of Interstate 94 between the two, there are probably only 4 easily accessable brew-pubs - though travel around Milwaukee is pretty easy, so you can bump the number up by at least 5 or 6.

Around the Chicago metro area I can count about 20 brew-pubs (wow, I've really been slacking!). A few with the same owners and name, but duplicate locations - and a few that are just so - so AFA their beers go. Travel around Chicago is always an adventure - in boredom and otherwise, depending on traffic.

S.

[fretlessman71]

Weird idea.... had you considered enlisting or hiring some designated drivers with large vehicles if you do the pub crawl? Or is that SOP for that sort of thing?

[chazwicke]

Well It looks like Steveh's place is central so we can all stay there. :D

We would indeed have a van, bus or limo depending on how many of us there are for the tour.

[fretlessman71]

I sure hope his house is big enough for all of us! I guess we could camp in his backyard... I wonder how many bathrooms he has? ;)

[steveh]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
I sure hope his house is big enough for all of us! I guess we could camp in his backyard... I wonder how many bathrooms he has?

Nope. Not big enough for me, let alone the rest of you. And no back yard -- condo. However, Wisconsin is Illinois' biggest state park! ;)

S.

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by steveh
Nope. Not big enough for me, let alone the rest of you. And no back yard -- condo. However, Wisconsin is Illinois' biggest state park!
S.

Amen to that, Wisconsin is God's Country (the Flatlanders in Illinois will tell you)

Well, I have three bathrooms, a monster kegerator, and 1.5 acres for camping, although I'd probably get kicked out of my subdivision if they saw 20 tents in my backyard. On the bright side, there is a huge campground about 10 minutes from my house, and maybe I'd be able to talk the wife into making breakfast for everyone before the tour.

Wife's face ------> :mad:

[chazwicke]

LOL!!!

[fretlessman71]

I think O2 Mash's wife needs breakfast in bed for any and all days that there are beer-swilling campers frolicking about her property, if you ask me... :D

[chazwicke]

OK Bruno, Wort and I have narrowed it down a bit but we still need more info. We are planning the event for 2005 and have narrowed the time frame and location. It will be in the Mid West this time and we will stay at a hotel rather than a campground. We will try to arrange a pubcrawl and or brewery tour. It might be fun to have everyone bring a case of their local favorite beer and we organize a swap so that everyone gets some of each kind or perhaps people would prefer to make their own deals. But, we need more of your input.

Please answer the following only if you are SERIOUS about attending.

#1. Which month would be best for you? (Choose one only. If you have no preference or are flexible skip #1.)

May
June
July
August
September
October


#2. What location do you prefer?

Cleveland
Chicago
Milwaukee


#3. Number in your party? ( We need this to determine if we can get special rates in the hotel and also to know what kind of trasportation we will need to arrange for the tour / crawl).


#4. Would you like to participate in an organized beer swap or just do individual trades or none at all?


Hopefully we are making progress and we will be able to pull this off. Thanks for your SERIOUS input.

[chazwicke]

Does anyone know if there are any worthwhile beer festivals in any of the three cities that would be occuring during one of the months listed? Maybe we could have our convention in conjunction with a festival.

[O2 Mash]

No, but this is ALWAYS a rockin' time..... http://www.summerfest.com/home.php

If anyone likes music, this lineup is really quite awesome. It is always at the end of June/early July. Just a thought, it might be a good place to go between beer functions.

[danno]

OK, as one serious potential attendee:

1) date is open (we're obviously talking next year, right?), although life gets complicated around august, so early/mid summer potentially works better for me.

2) Chicago or Milwaukee, they're equidistant from me...

3) two people in my party.

4) I just plan on dragging along a couple of cornies of whatever I have available at the time, so whether anything is organized or just people drinking beer, it matters not...

(one reason I'd think camping would be easier is the whole "sitting around the fire shooting the breeze and drinking everyone's beer" seems a lot easier to pull off in a campground setting than in a hotel. unless we're just wandering to/from people's rooms, a central ballroom type setup leads to considerable added expense, especially when you tell them we're going to be drinking. they're going to want security, bringing our own beer may run into liability issues, etc...)

[Stodbrew]

I would absolutely love to attend. And I will do everything in my power to do so. So, my answers are as follows:

1.) Any of those months work for me, except the first weekend in June. Big festival here in Sunnyvale, where I will go through 60+ kegs of beer in two days. Have to be here. And the last weekend of Sept/ first weekend in Oct. is the GABF.

2.) I would prefer Chicago. Never been, great beer, I hear, and a game at Wrigley. And, a day trip up to Milwuakee would be easy.

3.) Not sure if my wife and son would go.

4.) I would love to bring/ship some kegs of beer from the brewery, but would have to look into shipping costs.

[BluesHarp]

Originally posted by chazwicke

#1. Which month would be best for you? (Choose one only. If you have no preference or are flexible skip #1.)

May
June
July
August
September
October

No preference, hopefully it will fall on an empty weekend


#2. What location do you prefer?

Cleveland
2) Chicago
1) Milwaukee


#3. Number in your party? ( We need this to determine if we can get special rates in the hotel and also to know what kind of trasportation we will need to arrange for the tour / crawl).

2 or 4


#4. Would you like to participate in an organized beer swap or just do individual trades or none at all?

I'll go with the consensus, no real strong feelings; each person bringing a case of their local favorite might be cool, but then you also need some to actually drink while there!


Hopefully we are making progress and we will be able to pull this off. Thanks for your SERIOUS input.

[s00z]

Okie....

Any month is good for me.

Cleveland is easier for me because I can use work as an excuse to drive over there.

I would probably bring a friend from work because I'll still know no one around here :)

I have plenty to share and will be happy to coordinate any "donations" to the cause from a local distributor or two.

I do tend to agree that "swapping" beers would be pretty difficult if we were at a hotel. We could organize it by using a conference room and holding our own tasting of what people brought for the folks that are there. But then again, that'll probably add to the cost. Maybe if we organized an evening at a local park (if alcohol was allowed) with shuttles etc. We could do the swapping there and grill out at a pavillion and have basketball/volleyball/naked twister games...whatever... ;-)
-BeerGal

[Bruno_78]

Originally posted by s00z
We could do the swapping there and grill out at a pavillion and have basketball/volleyball/naked twister games...whatever... ;-)
-BeerGal



And you're single because.......?

beer, grilling, and naked sports all in one post!

Holy #@$#!

[Kalleh1]

Wherever, whenever....count me in!

[s00z]

Originally posted by Bruno_78
And you're single because.......?

beer, grilling, and naked sports all in one post!

Holy #@$#!

hahahaha! LOL! Because all the guys I've met so far in PA have no teeth or are divorced with children! I'm seriously looking forward to meeting the RealBeer crowd at this thing so I can at least have friends!! :)

Well, that...and I want someone to grill for me!

-BeerGal

[hops99]

Because all the guys I've met so far in PA have no teeth or are divorced with children!

Are we talking Pennsylvania, or Pennsyltucky?

[Bruno_78]

I (and steveh, I believe) have all my teeth, never been married, no children, and i actually just got done grilling!

Alas, I have a girlfriend who also appreciates all these qualities.

Sorry

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by s00z
all the guys I've met so far in PA have no teeth

Yeah, the tooth brush must have been invented in Pennsylvania, because if it were invented anywhere else, it would have surely been named a Teeth Brush. ;)

[fretlessman71]

THAT'S original.... (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&postid=41575&highlight=teethbrush#post41575) :D

I think I heard the same thing about Georgia and West Virginia, too... just what is it about being in the backwoods that promotes poor dental hygiene, anyway?

Don't worry, s00z... I don't think handcrafted ales promote tooth decay!

[b3s]

HEY my granny is very proud of her tooth :p

almost all of my family is PA dutch

[chazwicke]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fretlessman71
[B]THAT'S original.... (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&postid=41575&highlight=teethbrush#post41575) :D

I think I heard the same thing about Georgia and West Virginia, too... just what is it about being in the backwoods that promotes poor dental hygiene, anyway?

Well there are some countries in Europe that are known for bad teeth too. Hillbillys dont have a monopoly.

What has 600 feet and 3 teeth?
The front row of a Willie Nelson concert.

Actually I like Willie. He was supposed to play with Bob Dylan in Salisbury, MD near my beach place but was cancelled due to Hurricane Charley. Probably would have been a great show.

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by fretlessman71
THAT'S original.... (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&postid=41575&highlight=teethbrush#post41575)

Hey C'mon, you're not gonna tell me you were the originator of that joke now, are you? ;)

[chazwicke]

Nope. It is an old one. I just thought it fit here.

[O2 Mash]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Nope. It is an old one. I just thought it fit here.

Hey Chaz, I was referring to Fret busting my chops for stealing his joke from a previous post... I couldn't help but pilfer it :D

[Fast_Eddy]

Originally posted by chazwicke
[QUOTE]Originally posted by fretlessman71
[B]THAT'S original.... (http://www.realbeer.com/discussions/showthread.php?s=&postid=41575&highlight=teethbrush#post41575) ..

What has 600 feet and 3 teeth?
The front row of a Willie Nelson concert.

Actually I like Willie. ..

Willie is a fixture here in Austin. It seems like he plays somewhere around town once a month. And it's 6 teeth - last time I counted.

[Bruno_78]

Originally posted by chazwicke


Actually I like Willie. He was supposed to play with Bob Dylan in Salisbury, MD near my beach place but was cancelled due to Hurricane Charley. Probably would have been a great show.

They just did that show here in south bend last week, I didn't go, but I heard it was great.

[fretlessman71]

Originally posted by O2 Mash
Hey C'mon, you're not gonna tell me you were the originator of that joke now, are you?
If I was, I wouldn't be able to speak about it very well, would I? :D And how many toothless hillbillies have typing skills?

And remember.... everyone here tells me that I'm one of the YOUNGSTERS here (don't get it; just telling it like it is). Yikes!

[Bruno_78]

Just thought I'd revive this thread to keep it fresh in everyone's mind.

[b3s]

this might be a good time to ask if anyone is planning on attending GABF in denver at the end of the month.

so, is anyone?

[skahtboi]

Originally posted by chazwicke
Wort, Bruno and I have been seriously discussing putting together a national get together or convention. We need YOUR SERIOUS input. We are willing to do the work if we think that there is serious interest.

Chaz....I get the feeling that you are really serious about this!!! ;)

[chazwicke]

We just want to know who would SERIOUSLY be interested in attending and if it would SERIOUSLY be worthwile to set it up.
SERIOUSLY now!:D

[b3s]

guess that leaves me out, doctors have pronounced me completely lacking in the serious gene!

[Bruno_78]

Originally posted by b3s
guess that leaves me out, doctors have pronounced me completely lacking in the serious gene!

I'm sure that with the rest of us being so serious, there will be room for a little brew haha!

[fretlessman71]

Herb Ninja sent me a PM with a small Hawaiian joke... he called it a "mini-haha." :D

[s00z]

Originally posted by chazwicke
We just want to know who would SERIOUSLY be interested in attending and if it would SERIOUSLY be worthwile to set it up.
SERIOUSLY now!

Seriously, you guys...I'm so super serious about seriously attending. Seriously.

-BeerGal ;)

[Bruno_78]

Chaz, I think they're picking on you.

[chazwicke]

Seriously? LOL!

[b3s]

no, i think we're just picking on you in a seriously non-serious manner ;)

i am interested, but because of other factors (visiting GF, visiting family, etc.) may not be able to attend...that's a MAY...so i'm serious in a possibly non-serious manner depending on when and where and actual seriousness...noting that i lack the serious gene....