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Columbus Beerfest 2011 - May 20, 21

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Started 1 year ago by Walker
Latest reply from patient_zero

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Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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2nd Annual Columbus Beerfest
FRIDAY MAY 20, 2011 and SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011

Enjoy 175+ craft beers from down the street and around the country!

Grand Tasting: 25 samples in a 5oz. souvenir cup, 7:30 p.m. entry.
$30 in advance; $40 beginning 5/20

VIP: 25 samples in an 8oz. souvenir Glass; 6:00 p.m. Doors, 1st beer poured 6:30 p.m

$40 in advance; $50 beginning 5/20

Connoisseur: VIP benefits PLUS Entry into the Food & Beer Pairing where you can sample 12 rare beers along with specially created hors d'oeuvre pairings.

$65 (only 150 sold per night)

Designated Driver tickets: $10

Last call at 10:40PM. Event ends at 11PM each night.

MORE: http://www.columbusbeerweek.org

TICKETS: http://www.beerfesttickets.com

Posted 1 year ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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PS: We're giving away some tickets today!

Enter to win, here: http://www.columbusunderground.com/columbus-beerfest-2011-ticket-giveaway

Posted 1 year ago #
nexttuesday

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The ticket system they use is on Pacific, so you can buy lower priced tickets for one more hour.

Posted 1 year ago #
achoo

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I volunteered at the last Columbus Beerfest. Although I don't drink, I thought it would be fun and collegial. It wasn't. Maybe it has completely changed for the better. I doubt it though. I figure I will at least try to save someone some money...

1. The venue is uncomfortable and loud. The hall is a large cement box whereby the horrible acoustics drown out most of any conversation. Oh, and a rock band will also add to the noise. When all the sounds mix together, it sounds like being on CMH airplane tarmac . You will also be standing most of the time as there are few fold-up chairs.

2. It is really crowded and the lines are relatively long (except for the Miller Lite booth). You won't be able to drink what you think you want or can drink just based on time and logistical constraints. Try to crunch the numbers to see whether it is worth it per your drinking habits.

I think to get your moneys worth you would constantly have to move from line to line for hours on end. Even then, considering the portion size (4oz true pour) per glass, 3xline is equal to one can of beer.

3. I am very curious about their charitable accounting practices and actual expenses. Collected monies are supposedly going to some charity that IS NOT in Columbus. I will say however, it is a clever racket.

So you still want to drink though....so now what?

Spend your money locally; you will be more comfortable and get a better value and support our community. This is one instance that local watering holes should be supported over any carpetbagging vendors. We would all be better off if you spent $20 at a local bar and gave $20 to a local charity (Cat Welfare, Animal Shelters, kids orgs, etc.).

My suggestion is to go to any of the bars around the convention center and try beers that are NEW to you. Macs, Short North Tavern, Union, Barley's, even Bodega is more favorable than going to the Columbus Beerfest.

Get the Flash Videos

Posted 1 year ago #
bob.os
Columbus *not* Cbus
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If you go, and I don't recommend that you do, please share your feelings with the jackwagons that run this show about the hundreds of illegal signs that they've littered around our city. They have quickly overtaken PetPromise's Resuce Run as the second most prolific street-spammer in town and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if they didn't intend to clean up any their mess.

Like achoo says, spend your money locally, and pull over and pick up a few of Beerfest's $%*#'ing signs.

Posted 1 year ago #
cbus11

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I have to agree with what appears to be a growing sentiment. $40 per person would buy a lot of beer (especially for a backyard party with people bringing craft six packs) and leave some money to go to a local charity or cause. I went to the first two thinking I might learn something about the different beers, but the setup was more like a college house party with a lot of noise and lines staffed by volunteers (who did not know what they were serving). The sign littering is really disappointing.

Posted 1 year ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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I went last night and had an awesome time. Many improvements over last year: more space, more booths, tables & chairs, maps, beer list. I hit about 15 booths and had to wait in line two or three times, a short line at that. The ballroom is really cool looking, a good space for the event, although I'm not sure why they closed off the windows with black panels. It would have added a little more ambiance with the city skyline behind the band. Speaking of the band, they need a good local band next year.

$40 too much?? I don't think so. I would spend the same at any other bar. In fact, if I drank microbrewed beer all night, I'd spend a heck of a lot more than $40. And I'm sure the bars aren't too worried about this event taking patrons away for a measly two nights. Besides, me and my buds went to the bar afterwards anyway, which I'm sure many others did as well.

In the end, yea you're just standing there drinking beer, which you can do in any bar. But, it's something different for two nights, a break from the weekend norm, and that's why it works. Everyone seemed to be loving it. Can't wait for next year.

Posted 1 year ago #
placebohigh
The Short North
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jpizzow wrote >>
Many improvements over last year: more space, more booths, tables & chairs, maps, beer list. I hit about 15 booths and had to wait in line two or three times, a short line at that.

I second that. Last year's summer Beerfest was much more crowded/cramped into half the ballroom.
It was a great time and a very impressive turnout.

Posted 1 year ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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placebohigh wrote >>

jpizzow wrote >>
Many improvements over last year: more space, more booths, tables & chairs, maps, beer list. I hit about 15 booths and had to wait in line two or three times, a short line at that.

I second that. Last year's summer Beerfest was much more crowded/cramped into half the ballroom.
It was a great time and a very impressive turnout.

And I third that. It was great to talk to many of the regional brewers that were there, distributors, volunteers, and you know, people in general - all kinds of people. As one of my brewing buddies put it, "Look at all the smiles!" Everybody was smiling.

The move to Batelle Grand room was much appreciated. The carpet was softer to walk on and it absorbed a lot of the sound. It's a really beautiful room with an impressive view of Michael O'Tooles. They were more organized than in the Winter, VIP's with a 10 minute delay to get in (20 minute in the Winter). I easily got my money's worth with the variety of beers I tasted. Never did try the CBC habanero beer - kept putting it off to the end and forgot. I didn't want to blow out my taste buds. :]

More pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/39706870@N08/sets/72157626659238967/

Posted 1 year ago #
achoo

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Wow!

It seems like most had a good time and weren't taken for a fool. Based on the pictures, they have overhauled the entire event and fixed many of their infrastructural problems.

When I volunteered I saw the disorganization and confusion first-hand. People must've complained about the noise, lack of chairs, lack of drink servers, long wait lines, tapped kegs and shortage of ice to keep the kegs cold. Believe me the change of room and more staffing likely made a drastic difference. Hopefully, they picked up their street signs too.

However, I stand by my statement that if you are not a heavy drinker it is probably not worth it. Most people can't drink more than 4-6 bottles of beer (especially full-bodied microbrews doled out incrementally). If you can pound a lot of beers you are not in the mean of casual drinkers.

If the out-of-towner-not-for-profit organizers really want to hit a home run, along with transparent accounting they should have their Columbus patrons choose a Columbus charity to donate net proceeds to...and maybe also have a 2-story booth with 10ft beer bongs.

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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I was super skeptical of this event after reading so many bad reviews of the first two, but I had a great time. We got a deal on VIP tix for Friday night for $30. I am not a rookie drinker and definitely sampled my $30 worth. The room they used was super spacious, and when I wasn't directly in front of the stage, the band noise wasn't noticeable at all. The selection of Ohio-brewed beers was really great, and I got to taste some great stuff from the rest of the country too.

I think though that in order for this event to be really successful, they MUST go beyond just getting kegs and having Joe Volunteer pour. I was happy to see that a number of the Ohio breweries had actual knowledgeable reps there, but most of the others did not. I really think that for it to be a great beerfest, they need to make that extra step.

Posted 1 year ago #
futureman
Grandview Heights
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So did they rent the entire Battele Hall this year (the room with neon light ceiling)? The first year they only rented half of it and it was too packed. Also, did they have seating on the ground floor or did you have to go up the balcony area?

Posted 1 year ago #
jarsloth
west side
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Nice pictures, patient_zero, especially of Angelo! :)

Posted 1 year ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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futureman wrote >>
So did they rent the entire Battele Hall this year (the room with neon light ceiling)? The first year they only rented half of it and it was too packed. Also, did they have seating on the ground floor or did you have to go up the balcony area?

They did both.

Posted 1 year ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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jarsloth wrote >>
Nice pictures, patient_zero, especially of Angelo! :)

Thanks, jarsloth! For some reason, they like to dim the lights as the evening progresses, which makes it harder to capture images without a blur. I bumped the ASA from 80 to 200 after reviewing last year's shots, but probably should go to ASA 400 for the next event, but I don't want to sacrifice clarity. Angelo is the quintessential Beer Ambassador.

@futureman - They rented the entire Battelle room and had a decent amount of seating near the interior food court. Food pairing for the Connoisseur ticket holders was served on the balcony level, which game them a bit more intimacy. I may do this in the Winter.

Did anyone on CU participate in the food pairing?

FWIW, being a quality drinker, not a quantity drinker, I felt I got money's worth for the beer alone, not to mention the quality conversation and association. Rogue's Mama Hefeweizen made with chamomile? Who would have known?

Posted 1 year ago #
osulew
My house...in the middle of my street
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futureman wrote >>
So did they rent the entire Battele Hall this year (the room with neon light ceiling)? The first year they only rented half of it and it was too packed. Also, did they have seating on the ground floor or did you have to go up the balcony area?

They had seating on the ground floor, and they also had a lot of tall tables scattered throughout for standing and chatting and resting your beer. They rented the whole ballroom, and (at least on Friday night) it never felt overly crowded...even after the VIP hour ended. I don't think I ever waited behind more than 4 people for a beer.

Posted 1 year ago #
patient_zero
Falafel District
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osulew wrote >>

futureman wrote >>
So did they rent the entire Battele Hall this year (the room with neon light ceiling)? The first year they only rented half of it and it was too packed. Also, did they have seating on the ground floor or did you have to go up the balcony area?

They had seating on the ground floor, and they also had a lot of tall tables scattered throughout for standing and chatting and resting your beer. They rented the whole ballroom, and (at least on Friday night) it never felt overly crowded...even after the VIP hour ended. I don't think I ever waited behind more than 4 people for a beer.

I forgot how many of those scattered cabaret tables were in the room. They were really handy, weren't they?

Posted 1 year ago #
0Angle
A brewery or my kitchen or my bicycle.
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Thanks again for the BÃƒÂ¡nh mÃƒÂ¬, P.Z. (and the BoarÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s Head Pepp was perfect for sharing) That was a couple of fun evenings and I never cease to be amazed at how favorably the Columbus beer scene compares to the rest of the country and world (IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m looking at you Mr. Bean...)

E.T.A.
Awesome photos, too. Have you ever considered quitting your day/night job?

Posted 1 year ago #
budser1228
Short North Area
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I volunteered on Saturday night - I don't drink but I was tired of being in a rut and decided to do something different. Volunteering was disorganized but you just had to ask a few questions to figure it out and there were plenty of people who had done it on Friday night to let you know how it works. I worked the Great Divide booth from Denver Colorado. I asked the distributor and other volunteers how they would describe the beers to know what to tell people other than what kind of beer it was. The annoying thing at my booth was that there was a sign for the Yeti (Imperial Stout oak aged with Espresso) and I was told that they had run out the night before and it was replaced with another beer (Collette - a very light ale) then they found another keg of Yeti to bring out just before 9:00 so that people I disappointed earlier in the evening didn't know they could come back and get it. The workers did make sure there was enough ice, kegs were switched without too much hassle and my booth didn't run out of beer until the very end. I don't know if I would do it again but it was fun to do.

Posted 1 year ago #
moregontrail

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Posted some of my thoughts and reviews here.

http://www.moregontrail.com/?p=35

Nice pics by the way

Posted 1 year ago #