American Hop Convention
Jan 25, 2012 Beer, Events, Good People
Goschie Farms
An open letter of thanks to Ann George and the Hop Community that was present at the American Hop Convention last week. It was my honor to get to give the banquet talk. Mixed crowd of farmers, brokers, brewers and more engaged folks, all for the pursuit of hops.
I’ll be posting the talk soon, which will be accessible to anyone who wants to download it.
Cheers to the growers, producers, breeders, researchers, and brewers who are ensuring high quality hops for our delicious beer. Thank you.
Tags: American Hop Convention, Ann George, farmers, hop breeders, hop growers, Newport Beach CA, researchers, scientists
Beer And Chocolate Tasting Menu
Jan 14, 2012 Beer & Food, Education & Training, Events, Women and Beer
happy crowd with beer and chocolate
Women at our monthly meet up fully enjoyed the offerings and more importantly learning about how beer and chocolate can go together last week.
Our fine host, Enchanted Florist, a floral boutique and chocolate cafe, is extremely knowledgeable about chocolate so it was a great learning opportunity all around. We choose beers to go with the flavors of the real cocoa and organic chocolates.
Beers and any complementary foods you suggest and share grow increasingly attractive and flavorful when you provide the story that accompanies those respective products. Knowing more about what you’re putting in your mouth is a big deal. Make that information part of the program.
Try offering beer with chocolates to women and see what can happen. (hint: successful enlightenment!) We’ll be sure to do again based on the tremendously positive feedback we got that night.
Here was the menu we featured:
- Widmer Barrel Aged Brrrbon ’11 paired with Michel Cluizel, Organic Dark Chocolate. Paris France, Los Ancones, 67%
- Lost Coast Tangerine Wheat with Valrhona, Manjari Orange, France. 64%, with the citrus sweetness of orange.
- Rodenbach with Café Tasse – Dark Chocolate with cranberries and soft chili. Brussels, Chocolat Bio, organic chocolate, 58%
- MateVeza with Dolfin, Dark Chocolate With Earl Grey tea. Belgium. 52% A black tea with a dash of bergamot.
Tags: beer and chocolate, Cafe Tasse, Dolfin, Enchanted Florist, Lost Coast, MateVeza, Michel Cluizel, Rodenbach, Valrhona, Widmer Brewing
Festival Enhancement: Invite Women Enjoying Beer
Jan 5, 2012 Beer, Education & Training, Events, Good People
Our New Years glass is up to those who see the value of having WEB at their events and festivals. A few of those individuals include: Chris Crabb, Chewie Burgess, Steve Bahr, Patti Araas, Tasha Butz, Gayle Chisholm, Mary Ridderbusch, Hilary Kemmling, Stevie Caldarola, Nancy Johnson, Eriel Hoffmeier, James Book, Kristen Muraro, Ken McMullin, Lucy Saunders, Bradley Latham. I am most likely forgetting some. Know we’re grateful for everyone who’s in this arena.
Thanks!
They see WEB as a contributor, as the educators we are, as the researchers that we are – all feeding the beer community. And they’d be right. Thank you to them.
Educated consumers are good consumers for everyone. We’re your specialists to call for all kinds of crowds: female, male, mixed.
As marketing specialists as well, we can help advise and guide, augment and make your efforts go further with many previous successful past events to drawn on.
Even if you have staff members that do this planning, bringing in a fresh perspective and burst of energy can help them refresh, rethink and plan for an even more successful event.
For those who are looking to enhance their beer focused events, WEB is an excellent choice. We’ll speak, teach, conduct crowd pleasing tastings & pairings, and further enlighten the world about the incredible and simply amazing beverage we know as beer. The enthusiasm we bring and positive energy, diplomacy and good humor is worth every penny.
Find out what some have said about having WEB involved.
One Festival at a time.
When you’re interested in talking to us about how we can enhance your success, call soon – 2012 is filling up fast!
Tags: bradley latham, chewie burgess, chris crabb, eriel hoffmeier, gayle chisholm, hilary kemmling, james book, Ken McMullin, kristen muraro, Lucy Saunders, mary ridderbusch, nancy johnson, patti araas, steve bahr, stevie caldarola, successful festivals, tasha butz, WEB at events, WEB at festivals
Beer (And…) Womanifesto Decree
Jan 1, 2012 Beer & Food, Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People, Women and Beer
It occured to me early this morning that I never published the Decree I wrote and then delivered in honor of the Beer for Boobs Brunch 2011 (during GABF & Denver Beer Fest time).
The remarkable, smart, gracious, thoughtful and classy Stevie Caldarola of Ladies of Craft Beer and Freshcraft hosted this beerific benefit brunch. The hosts were great with it, the crowd participated and gave us a round of applause afterward.
Enjoy the decree this New Years day ~
Beer For Boobs Womanifesto, this 30th day of September 2011
Decree
We, the Women of the United States, in Order to maintain a healthy body, establish self examination, ensure comfortable clothing, provide for the common good health, promote the general Welfare of breasts everywhere, and remain proud of our chests and ourselves and our gender, and establish a more perfect Boobion, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Boob For Brunch America:
Article 1: All boobs deserve proper care and maintenance to ensure healthy adventures in the world at large
Article 2: All boob hosts are to be proud of their boobs and the boobs of others for as long as they are able to do so.
Article 3: I take it as my personal mission to support all boobs everywhere and also support the care and treatment of boobs less fortunate
Article 4: I will not stand by and let anyone malign any boobs for any reason. They are all deserving of respect and good will.
Article 5: I will respect and protect the boobs of myself, my family and my friends as needed and called upon to do.
Article 6: I will support the good health of boobs the world over, as a Goodwill Boob Ambassador, exercising diplomacy and Advocacy.
Ginger & Stevie with the Booby Prize, 2011
So with the above to be true, I hereby bequeath Stevie Caldarola the 2011 Beer For Boobs Booby Prize award for her efforts in extolling the boob virtues we are all here to support. [custom decorated bra]
Everyone raise your right hand and repeat after me:
“I _____,
Do swear to uphold and extol
The rights of healthy boobs everywhere.
I promise to be
Available to those in need
When they call upon me to help.“
Cheers!
2 WEB menus
Dec 13, 2011 Beer & Food, Celebration Worthy, Events, Women and Beer
Last week was full of great beer and food shared by superb company. Here are two menus accordingly. Use them and share them as you wish.
tis the season for beer & food together
Swig & Stitch inaugural Beer event menu at 38 Central:
- Bayern Brewing Pilsner paired with Pilsner marinated sesame crusted chicken drizzled with Dijon aioli
- Southern Oregon Brewing Porter paired with grilled eggplant stuffed with sausage and porter Balsamic glaze
- Ninkasi Total Domination IPA paired with seafood stuffed mushroom braised in IPA with toasted panko
WEB Annual Hoppy Holidays menu:
- Lindeman’s Gueuze Lamic Cuvee Rene with whole milk Monterey Jack, Blue, Muenster and mozzarella cheeses, fresh Challah and Ciabatta breads
- Sierra Nevada & New Clairvaux Abbey Ovila Dubbel with peppered salame, sopressata, and Cajun sausages
- Samuel Smith’s Organic Strawberry fruit ale with fresh winter fruit salad (persimmon, pomegranates, oranges, apples, pears, bananas)
- Young’s Double Chocolate Stout with fresh mild chocolate brownie topped with frozen vanilla and chocolate yogurt
Tags: 38 Central, annual hoppy holidays event, Bayern, Lindeman's, New Clairvaux, Ninkasi, Oliva, Samuel Smith, Sierra Nevada, Southern Oregon Brewing, Swig & Stitch, Young's
Festival of (Beer) Tree
Dec 12, 2011 Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People
We recently participated for the first time ever in the Festival of Trees. Suffice it to say – we’ll do it again!
Generous donors, happy buyer (live auction item), and fun reactions from all walks of the crowds. It’s living permanently now here.
Special thanks to my friend and supporter Eileen for setting it all up with me. Another special thanks to my colleague Kari for helping us get into the event in the first place!
Enjoy these pictures and cheers to a safe, tasty and peaceful holiday ~
Tags: 2011 Festival of Trees
Gathering Great People
Nov 28, 2011 Celebration Worthy, Events, Good People, Women and Beer
A shout out today to the recent donors of goods and for their generous support of WEB. Let me explain.
WEB is in business, like many others are, and we all need to make a living. We rarely ask for donations of any kind from anyone – rather, we talk with people and their businesses, find out where they are at and if there’s a complement between the entities.
Nick Matt and other panelists at a CBC in recent years has really stuck with me. It was to the effect that breweries get asked constantly for donations of beer for this, that and everything else. While some requestors are gracious and understanding, more often than not requestors have no idea what a beer oriented business may be about. They are very focused on getting what they want for their fundraising, auction, and raffles.
Gathering Glass Studio
This isn’t to malign – it’s to enlighten: every organization that has a literal or virtual door is a target for a donation request. Having been with other companies before founding WEB I know well what the front line is like – to get asked and asked and asked.
And I tell you what. When I was growing up I had to raise money to pay for my marching band trips, Girl Scout events and the like. I’ve been on the knuckle side of the door-to-dooring and calling those who knew our family. I’m done asking.
So it’s with particular gratitude that I’m thanking those who have blown us away with the donations they’ve chosen to make to WEB for an upcoming community oriented benefit. We approached them to simply find out IF they donate, what they do (if they do) and how it works. All came back with generous contributions to make this long standing community event fruitful.
Women notice and appreciate those who give back, provide support and make things happen.
Supporting your local causes usually means asking for donations. We’re grateful this holiday season for their unhesitating generosity. Thank you.
- Gathering Glass Studio - 24 (5 different designs) orange hand blown glass ornaments + one 22 ounce mug
- Brewery Supply and Rastal – 24 gorgeous stemmed beer goblets
- Briess Malting – beautiful jars of different roasted malted barleys
- Summit Beverage Distributors - 3 boxes of fun beer swag including women’s shirts, beer signs and coasters, glassware and other goodies
- Standing Stone Brewing Company – a beer tasting for 6 and several water bottles (our theme is WEB with an emphasis on the 4 ingredients of beer)
- Brewers Publications – 2 terrific beer books from their great line up
- Lallemand yeast – Cascade Wine Services
- Indie Hops - plentiful samples of whole cone hops and fragrant pellet hops
- All About Beer magazine - multiple subscriptions to this good monthly beer read
- Lisa Morrison, The Beer Goddess – for a copy of her mouth watering new beer guide book
- Fabric of Vision – provided us a nice discount on the few fabric oriented items we purchased to decorate
- Alpha Beta Hops – beautiful Cascade hop bines
I’d also thank some intrepid helpers: Kari, my events & festival development colleague; Eileen, good friend and huge WEB supporter, and Paige, with Jackson County Master Recycling program to help me clearstream this event.
Rest assured I’ll write a follow up post on the results of the event, with pictures.
Festival Tips For All
Oct 24, 2011 Celebration Worthy, Events, Something To Think About
If you are a brewery at a festival or if your brewery is being represented at a festival or event that equates to community outreach, customer development and marketing, bear these things in mind:
- Make sure you have clear concise signage above the heads and shoulders of the crowds. Anything below 6 feet high is worthless; no eyes can see it from across the room and above the other folks eager to get a taste.
- Make sure any signage or banners are clear, simple and easy to read. Use basic logos, lettering and only the key elements: name, location, online address. Keep it clean and simple.
- Make sure those pouring your beer know how to do it, even in a state controlled by the state alcohol body. Proper pouring methods and amounts are really important to goers and to making sure your beer stretches as far as it should. It’s your currency, yes? Make it work for everyone.
- Make sure there are dump buckets and clean rinse & drinking water at all times at your tables. Best opportunity for the flavors of your beer require rinsing glasses between tastes and hydration for guests.
Know how to 'do' a festival from your vantage point
For Festival Organizers:
- Make sure there is sufficient lighting for the attendees, volunteers, brewers, distributors – everyone – to see where they are going, what they are doing and what they are getting. If inside, dimming lights may ‘set the mood’ but it’s difficult on the vendors and pourers as well as the guests. If outside, ensure lighting for proper viewing and safety.
- No plastic one-use cups. By the time a few years have gone by using ‘disposable’, you can afford to have bought commemorative durable glassware or rented glassware to use (cleaning and rental fees included) which never truly go away – they just go somewhere else. The care you display for our planet will encourage more attendees and more revenue. It’s irresponsible to use anything less. You have a budget for a reason; use it wisely. We don’t take care of the planet and festivals will be a moot point.
- Make sure all booths and vendors have clear and free access to their space. Vendors help make festivals possible and to have one vendor hog or greatly spill into the space that another vendor bought is careless and may not discourage them from returning. Finding new vendors that fit are harder to get than keeping the ones that already fit and support the event.
- Make sure the level of any music included does not exceed normal conversation volume. Music that drowns out the regular range of conversation makes it difficult for pourers and vendors to converse and sell their goods. Music too loud = sales killer which is bad for the vendors and guests. You’re not at a concert, keep it reasonable.
For Recreational Consumers:
- Wear sensible footwear. Flip flops, spiky heels, and shoes that can slide off your feet are silly and unnecessary. Plus you’re drinking alcohol; be kind to your feet and select appropriate shoes to enjoy the festival in.
- Say thank you to the pourers, whether they are the brewers/breweries themselves or volunteers. It’s sometimes a thankless job to pass out hundreds of pours to people. You’re at a brew fest – don’t punish the messenger (pourer) if you don’t happen to care for the beer; it’s a taste – not a commitment.
- Support your local festival. Many to most of the beer oriented festivals out there have a small to large component of volunteerism and donation. Organizers, breweries, pourers, and security – they are all working hard to provide a safe and fun environment. Festivals are very reasonable financial investments, should be fun and support many aspects of our communities in different ways.
Tags: attendees, breweries, clarity, enjoyment, festival pointers, organizers, safety
International National Festival
Oct 15, 2011 Beer, Celebration Worthy, Events, Something To Think About
Which one is it? Thankfully many festivals are both. They’re located in a country of origin AND they recruit judges from other places to provide a varied and therefore widely competent panel.
Judging is such a final word. So striving for a balance of opinions, morals, preferences, knowledge, thoughts, and agendas is really critical to get a equilibrium in any judging situation. We’re still human and we still let our own thoughts come through, however obvious or subtle they may manifest.
The GABF is one example of a well balanced judging of the beers. It is after all a competition. The 2011 GABF estimated that 4000 beers would be judged by 170+ judges from all over the globe. 400 beers! Whew! Being well acquainted with some of the judges I can share that it’s truly a dedicated and challenging endeavor. It goes way beyond what they think about what is in the glass. Partially because they have to reach consensus all the way around for a beer to advance. So this process also involves diplomacy, articulation and professional decorum.
They also added new judging categories this year:
- Fruit Wheat Beer
- Chocolate Beer
- American-style Brett Ale (interesting – no lagers per Brett?)
- International-style pale Ale
Local festival, international judges. That’s how you host an International National Festival. I say cheers to that!
Tags: beer judging, GABF, international judges, national contests
