Fredericton Craft Beer Festival

[jamie_savoie]

Same with me.  I haven't bought my ticket yet and so far I don't think I'll be going.  With the price for the ticket, hotel, gas and expenses for the w-e, I don't think it's worth it.  So far there's only Grimross and McAuslan that interest me

[Chris Craig]

I'm sure we can put you up for the night Jamie. If that's all that's keeping you away, let me know.

[Kyle]

My understanding is they will be announcing the list of participating brewers weekly, splitting up the list as to provide fodder for more "announcements" - I think these few were just the first installment.

[pliny]

My understanding is they will be announcing the list of participating brewers weekly, splitting up the list as to provide fodder for more "announcements" - I think these few were just the first installment.

I think they're doing the same as well.

[Kyle]

Also, remember that Sleeman includes Unibroue!

[Richard]

I've not yet bought a ticket, because as it stands I'm not convinced it's worth the money:

* 2.5hours is not enough time to justify the cost based on drinking, unless you're going to make a tit of yourself.
* Not enough variety/novelty in the offerings.
* Nothing to suggest it'll be anything other than a glorified trade fair.
* I know how to taste a beer already.

If something particularly interesting appears on the offerings front, I'll likely budge. Basically I'm not paying 50 bucks to drink small cups of beer I can buy in the liquor store.

[Chris Craig]

Didn't you go to the one in Moncton Richard?  Or, was it SJ?

[chrismccull]

The problem is, if people don't support it, it won't be a success.  This could become a really fun event in coming years if they are able to attract some decent breweries.

[Richard]

Moncton, yes - and it's the trade-show style dominance of the big boys that really annoyed me there, too. I'm not planning on going to that again either.

When they attract a few more novel breweries, I might join. My concern is that if you support something half-ass this year, what's their motivation to improve next year when they can just roll with the same effort?

For now, the plan is to save up and get to the GABF.

[fakr]

I agree with Chris.  The first year might be a little lame, but if they don't get close to what they are expecting for a crowd, it might not happen the next year.

I would go if my schedule permitted just to support "a" beer festival in NB.

I think feedback from the first festival would prompt a better selection in following years.

my 2 cents.

[Richard]

Well like I said, I'm on the fence. It'd only really take one or two novel breweries to get me off that fence - so maybe their strip-tease on the breweries will yet reveal something I'm interested in

[chrismccull]

I see your point about the big breweries, people don't go there to 'try' Bud or Bud Light. Personally, I don't mind Moosehead going to ours, they are local.

I went to a beerfest in Vermont and there were no macros to be found, it was really cool.  They even limited the amount of tickets that you could buy to prevent it from turning into a big drunk.

[Richard]

Ok, I have relented to the idea that support this year may encourage growth on a larger scale; confirmed that this isn't a shallow trade fair, but rather an effort to bring the feel of the GABF to Fredericton. Count me in.

That and I really like Innis and Gunn

[jamie_savoie]

I'm sure we can put you up for the night Jamie. If that's all that's keeping you away, let me know.

Thanks for the generous offer Chris!!  But if I'm going, most likely I'll be with 3 of my friends.  I'll wait till last minute to decide but I think I'll shoot for the mondial in mtl instead