Submitted/press release
Flanagan's Ale House in the Highlands is hosting their first annual GREAT FLANAGAN'S BEER FEST! On Sunday, June 7th the doors will open at 2:00 p.m. and welcome guests to sample more than 85 different brews from more than 40 different breweries!
Morton Avenue will be closed to accommodate displays and representatives from breweries around the world. Guests will be able to roam from one brewery table to the next sampling the very best in domestic and imported craft brews from all corners of the globe.
A portion of the proceeds from this historic event will go to the Pints for Prostates campaign which raises funds for the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network. Pints for Prostates is a grassroots awareness campaign aimed at encouraging men to get regular prostate health screenings and PSA tests. Through the universal language of beer Pints for Prostates has reached more than 25 million people. For more information about this cause you can stop by their booth at the festival or go to www.ustoo.org/pints.
Sunday June 7, 2009
2PM-5PM
Tickets: $45 per person, on sale now contact Ashley at 502-585-3700 or ashley@louisvilleirishpubs.com
Flanagan's Ale House
934 Baxter Avenue
Louisville, KY 40204
BEER LIST (as posted on the Louisville Restaurants Forum, by wholesaler)
Beer House:
Bells – Hopslam, Oberon
Dogfish Head- Aprihop, 60 Min
Stone Brewing Co.- Barrel Aged Double Bastard, Levitation, Old Guardian
Chimay- White
Spaten/Franz- Lager, Spaten Dunkel, Maibock, Franz Dunkel
Great Lakes – Grassroots, Dortmunder
Founders – Cerise, Curmudgeon Old Ale
Bryant:
Wetten- Kasteel Rouge, Delirium Tremens
Global- Gulden Draak, Wittekerke
Duvel USA – Duvel, TBD
New Holland – Mad Hatter, Golden Cap
Schlafly – APA, Kolsch
Anheuser:
Goose Isalnd- 312, Matilda, Goose Summer
Red Hook – Drifter Pale Ale
Heidelberg:
Brooklyn – Lager, Summer
Hofbrauhaus – Lager, Maibock
Summitt – X-Pale Ale, Hefe
River City:
New Albanian – Bringing the Bus (3 Beers TBD)
Upland – Wheat, Dragonfly IPA
BBC – Trailer with APA, Bourbon Barrel, Alt
Brownings – ESB, She Devil (sharing trailer with BBC)
Alltech – Trailer with Light, Ale, and Bourbon Ale
Cumberland- Red, Cream (sharing trailer with Alltech)
Sierra Nevada- Pale Ale, Summer Fest
Warsteiner – Pilsner, Dunkel
Heineken- Dos XX, New Castle
Shiner- Bock, Black Lager
Barley Island – Dirty Helen, Barfly IPA
Leinenkugel's/Blue Moon – Summer Shandy, White Ale
Peroni, Pilsner Urquell
Magic Hat/Pyramid - #9, Pyramid Hefe
We will also have Draft Magazine there giving out free subscriptions, a food area, and My Old Kentucky Homebrew will be there.
Sam Adams – Boston Lager, Seasonal
Southampton – Double White, IPA
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
NABC Bank Street Brewhouse kitchen hours on June 2 & 3.
Because we need to do further work on the kitchen, the Bank Street Brewhouse will be without edibles all day on Tuesday, June 2 and half the day on Wednesday, June 3.
The bar will be open on both days at 3:00 p.m., and dinner will again be served starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
On the beer front, we're back to having NABC beers on most of the taps, thanks to Jared, who has been been performing like a brewhouse LeBron James at the garage brewery on Grantline.
Dave and Jesse remain hard at work installing the brewery at Bank Street, and the north face outdoor seating area is supposed to commence construction during the coming week. The city approved the reconstruction of the sidewalk in front, which will expand the amount of room and enable us to have tables there, too.
Stay tuned.
The bar will be open on both days at 3:00 p.m., and dinner will again be served starting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
On the beer front, we're back to having NABC beers on most of the taps, thanks to Jared, who has been been performing like a brewhouse LeBron James at the garage brewery on Grantline.
Dave and Jesse remain hard at work installing the brewery at Bank Street, and the north face outdoor seating area is supposed to commence construction during the coming week. The city approved the reconstruction of the sidewalk in front, which will expand the amount of room and enable us to have tables there, too.
Stay tuned.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Red Dawn
by John Campbell
Yes, Roger is back from vacation, but since he is often accused of being a "commie", I thought I'd jump in for one last post to clear the air and dispel these malicious rumors. Seriously, is the Red Scare still going on? sigh...
While he was away we began to remove the protective coating from our new DME brewing system. Lo and behold what was found below:
Yes, Roger is back from vacation, but since he is often accused of being a "commie", I thought I'd jump in for one last post to clear the air and dispel these malicious rumors. Seriously, is the Red Scare still going on? sigh...
While he was away we began to remove the protective coating from our new DME brewing system. Lo and behold what was found below:
Yes, we were shocked. But, wait, there's more...
and it wasn't just the fermenters (the other two had been defaced with repulsive images of Mao and Lenin), the mash tun had been vandalized with Bakunin:
the brew kettle with Trotsky:
and a horrifying image of a bald-faced, clean-cut Dr. Ernest Guevara was glued to the yeast propagator:
Eugene Debs on a bright tank? Who would do such a thing? ...wait a minute... what's that guy doing?
OK, I must confess on behalf of the brewery staff (Jesse, Jared, David, and myself), Tony isn't completely responsible. We all conspired to label the tanks without Roger's consent. It was done in his absence and without his knowledge and we are quite proud of ourselves.
Power to the People!
Welcome home, Roger.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Revised and repaired sidewalk coming to the Bank Street Brewhouse.
We breezed back into town yesterday afternoon, to be greeted by another piece in the Bank Street Brewhouse puzzle, as reported in the New Albany Tribune:
The board awarded a bid to Knight Concrete to build sidewalks and curbs in small sections along Bank Street — near the Bank Street Brewhouse — and State Street — near the old Speakeasy and home of Wick’s Pizza. The cost for both jobs is $16,177.
Thanks to City Hall and the Board of Works for making this possible. It will have the effect of cleaning up the area in front, by the garage doors, which was last repaired some fifty years ago, and allowing us to have seating for dining by the street.
There'll be more to come as I sort through notes and photos of the holiday in England and Denmark.
The board awarded a bid to Knight Concrete to build sidewalks and curbs in small sections along Bank Street — near the Bank Street Brewhouse — and State Street — near the old Speakeasy and home of Wick’s Pizza. The cost for both jobs is $16,177.
Thanks to City Hall and the Board of Works for making this possible. It will have the effect of cleaning up the area in front, by the garage doors, which was last repaired some fifty years ago, and allowing us to have seating for dining by the street.
There'll be more to come as I sort through notes and photos of the holiday in England and Denmark.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Last Week in Review
By John Campbell
OK, OK. I get it. I am a lousy, inconsistent blogger and a poor substitute for the man himself. Please stop the harassing e-mails and personal messages to my social networking accounts (although I did like this one: "You were steady for a while last week, but nothing since Monday. What the fuck?"). Well, today turned out to be a "work" day, so I might as well keep up the momentum.
Here's what's been happening in Roger's absence:
In preparation for our impending beer distribution to corners far and wide, Gregg Rochman and I took a trip to meet New Albanian's potential Indiana distributor, World Class Beverage. Sitting down with Jim Schembre (the man behind the WCB mission) is always an educational experience and this session was not a disappointment. WCB seems to be a better choice than Indiana's other highly-reputed distributor, Cavalier, but it's only the second inning. Meanwhile, we've already selected River City (shown below) as our Louisville distributors.
River City's Ryan Burke and John Harris living large at last year's BBC/New Albanian Volksfest
Since we're on the subject of distribution and snotty messages to my personal accounts...No. I have not done away with Roger in order to take over the Potable Curmudgeon. I do not enjoy writing anymore (ok, I kinda do, but still, no).
I don't know how he maintains this blog in addition to his regular columns for the Tribune, LEO, and Food & Dining, and has time for the little things like, you know, building a brewery.
So, yes, he is enjoying a much needed vacation, but it doesn't mean he stops working. I have proof that he is alive, still writing, and working diligently for the cause. Here's the message I received from the Commandante this morning:
Greetings
Yesterday I was introduced to Mikkel, i.e., the fellow behind Mikkeller
beers. He runs an off premise specialty beer shop with his brother in
downtown Copenhagen, has an importing company so that he can bring in the beers he wants, and also brews his own at various sites. You can look them
up on Rate Beer or Beer Advocate.
We sampled the Oatgoop he brewed at Three Floyds, and it was excellent.
While Kim and I were shopping the unbelievable selection, he took my
business card and googled NABC, emerging to ask when he could begin
selling Thunderfoot in Denmark.
I said as soon as we get it in giant cans, which thrilled him. So, we have
an account here as soon as we can supply it.
See, I told you they're 'working' trips.
NABC, soon to come to Louisvile, Indiana and Copenhagen.
R
And there you have it.
Also in last week's news, Destinations Booksellers, located just a block from the Bank Street Brewhouse, hosted a public poetry slam last Wednesday night with the Reservoir Dogwoods.
Everything else is plugging along nicely. David and Jesse have the giant, drive-in keg cooler fully assembled, brewery construction continues, Jared is brewing strong at the Plaza Drive location and just released Jenever, our light-bodied, summer rye. We blew through two kegs in the first two days. It is now on tap at both New Albanian locations and at The Windsor on Market and Bank in Downtown New Albany.
Bob Ostrander, founder of Indanabeer.com, (below) showed his fuzzy face at the Bank Street Brewhouse on Friday afternoon for a pint of Pheonix and some mussels before heading to the north side compound formerly known as Rich O's for the real throw down.
Saturday, I took the day off. I did, however, spend some time rummaging through photos of the Bank Street project. Here's one from this time last year:
Today, I spent the afternoon at the Capriole Farm pouring healthy samples of Community Dark and Elector during their annual open house. Capriole is the second most serene place in which I've been fortunate enough to spend an afternoon. Last year Roger, Diana, and I attended the event and dined on fine cheeses and salad greens picked that very morning. I was a bit sad to be going on my own this year, but an afternoon at Capriole isn't complete without a New Albanian Ale.
To my surprise, nearly the entire Bank Street Brewhouse staff showed up with brewer Jared (below) and Chef Josh. A great way to end another week as a New Albanian.
Be warned, Denmark. we're coming your way.
OK, OK. I get it. I am a lousy, inconsistent blogger and a poor substitute for the man himself. Please stop the harassing e-mails and personal messages to my social networking accounts (although I did like this one: "You were steady for a while last week, but nothing since Monday. What the fuck?"). Well, today turned out to be a "work" day, so I might as well keep up the momentum.
Here's what's been happening in Roger's absence:
In preparation for our impending beer distribution to corners far and wide, Gregg Rochman and I took a trip to meet New Albanian's potential Indiana distributor, World Class Beverage. Sitting down with Jim Schembre (the man behind the WCB mission) is always an educational experience and this session was not a disappointment. WCB seems to be a better choice than Indiana's other highly-reputed distributor, Cavalier, but it's only the second inning. Meanwhile, we've already selected River City (shown below) as our Louisville distributors.
River City's Ryan Burke and John Harris living large at last year's BBC/New Albanian VolksfestSince we're on the subject of distribution and snotty messages to my personal accounts...No. I have not done away with Roger in order to take over the Potable Curmudgeon. I do not enjoy writing anymore (ok, I kinda do, but still, no).
I don't know how he maintains this blog in addition to his regular columns for the Tribune, LEO, and Food & Dining, and has time for the little things like, you know, building a brewery.
So, yes, he is enjoying a much needed vacation, but it doesn't mean he stops working. I have proof that he is alive, still writing, and working diligently for the cause. Here's the message I received from the Commandante this morning:
Greetings
Yesterday I was introduced to Mikkel, i.e., the fellow behind Mikkeller
beers. He runs an off premise specialty beer shop with his brother in
downtown Copenhagen, has an importing company so that he can bring in the beers he wants, and also brews his own at various sites. You can look them
up on Rate Beer or Beer Advocate.
We sampled the Oatgoop he brewed at Three Floyds, and it was excellent.
While Kim and I were shopping the unbelievable selection, he took my
business card and googled NABC, emerging to ask when he could begin
selling Thunderfoot in Denmark.
I said as soon as we get it in giant cans, which thrilled him. So, we have
an account here as soon as we can supply it.
See, I told you they're 'working' trips.
NABC, soon to come to Louisvile, Indiana and Copenhagen.
R
And there you have it.
Also in last week's news, Destinations Booksellers, located just a block from the Bank Street Brewhouse, hosted a public poetry slam last Wednesday night with the Reservoir Dogwoods.
Everything else is plugging along nicely. David and Jesse have the giant, drive-in keg cooler fully assembled, brewery construction continues, Jared is brewing strong at the Plaza Drive location and just released Jenever, our light-bodied, summer rye. We blew through two kegs in the first two days. It is now on tap at both New Albanian locations and at The Windsor on Market and Bank in Downtown New Albany.
Bob Ostrander, founder of Indanabeer.com, (below) showed his fuzzy face at the Bank Street Brewhouse on Friday afternoon for a pint of Pheonix and some mussels before heading to the north side compound formerly known as Rich O's for the real throw down.
Saturday, I took the day off. I did, however, spend some time rummaging through photos of the Bank Street project. Here's one from this time last year:
Today, I spent the afternoon at the Capriole Farm pouring healthy samples of Community Dark and Elector during their annual open house. Capriole is the second most serene place in which I've been fortunate enough to spend an afternoon. Last year Roger, Diana, and I attended the event and dined on fine cheeses and salad greens picked that very morning. I was a bit sad to be going on my own this year, but an afternoon at Capriole isn't complete without a New Albanian Ale.
To my surprise, nearly the entire Bank Street Brewhouse staff showed up with brewer Jared (below) and Chef Josh. A great way to end another week as a New Albanian.
Be warned, Denmark. we're coming your way.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Weekend in Review
By John Campbell
Banner courtesy of Ted Miller (Brugge Brasserie) and the Indiana Brewer's Guild
What's wrong with this picture:
Steve Thomas (of Thomas Family Winery, pictured below) and I were sharing our disappointment with the festival committee's poor decision making skills, inept ability to communicate, and absence of virtue when it was jointly decided that the weekend would play out much better if we kept our discontent amongst ourselves and our big mouths shut. Right at that moment a female voice called out from behind the Bud Light table,
"Steve, are you almost done with that cigar?"
"Why, yes, I am," Steve replied, "Is it offending you?"
"Yes, it is," she retorted.
"Well, your beer is offending us," I interjected, glancing momentarily at Steve as if to say 'so much for that'.
"It's not my beer," she spat.
"Well, then you should be even more ashamed to be serving it," I replied.
The committee member responsible for the AB presence quickly threw a warning flag. The lovely Bud trailer volunteer that had expressed disdain for good tobacco (and good beer by default) quickly charmed me into an apology and, as she predicted, we were "friends before the end of the weekend". hrmmph.
Steve Thomas of Thomas Family Winery, Madison, Indiana.
Steve's most awesome draft trailer.
Yes, I have draft trailer envy. btw Harvey, where the &%@$ is mine?
If you haven't read Roger's posts about the Madison, Indiana, Ohio River Valley Folk Festival, then go back a week and bring yourself up to speed. Roger did a great job of summarizing our overall theory and ethics and applying them to yet another AB atrocity. In the end, integrity won. Craft beer outsold the multi-national corporate swill by a landslide. The Folk Fest attendees and Madison natives showed their true colors by rising to the occasion to support regionally-brewed, independently-owned, hand-crafted, Indiana beer... American beer. The first keg of beer to blow was a double India Pale Ale (100 ibu, 10% abv) that we dubbed ANTI-CORPORATE IPA.
Banner courtesy of Ted Miller (Brugge Brasserie) and the Indiana Brewer's GuildWhat's wrong with this picture:
Steve Thomas (of Thomas Family Winery, pictured below) and I were sharing our disappointment with the festival committee's poor decision making skills, inept ability to communicate, and absence of virtue when it was jointly decided that the weekend would play out much better if we kept our discontent amongst ourselves and our big mouths shut. Right at that moment a female voice called out from behind the Bud Light table,
"Steve, are you almost done with that cigar?"
"Why, yes, I am," Steve replied, "Is it offending you?"
"Yes, it is," she retorted.
"Well, your beer is offending us," I interjected, glancing momentarily at Steve as if to say 'so much for that'.
"It's not my beer," she spat.
"Well, then you should be even more ashamed to be serving it," I replied.
The committee member responsible for the AB presence quickly threw a warning flag. The lovely Bud trailer volunteer that had expressed disdain for good tobacco (and good beer by default) quickly charmed me into an apology and, as she predicted, we were "friends before the end of the weekend". hrmmph.
Steve Thomas of Thomas Family Winery, Madison, Indiana.
Steve's most awesome draft trailer.Yes, I have draft trailer envy. btw Harvey, where the &%@$ is mine?
The weekend wouldn't have been complete without Jim and Debbie Frasier, homebrewers, FOSSILS members, Rich O's regulars, devote Folk Fest volunteers, and fascist-killing machines:
Louisville's own Bridget Kailin
Louisville's own Bridget KailinMy good friend Robert (pictured below) almost boycotted the festival after he found out about the AB fiasco. He picked up a keg of Elector prior to the festival and showed up Friday morning with a crate of hand-thrown, NABC/'09 Folk Fest mugs! He sold them all and we filled 'em up all weekend.
As noble as it sounds to say, "Support Your Local Brewery," the only wholesome thought I can muster is "Fuck Budweiser".
Cheers!
Cheers!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Grassroots and the Fabled Garage Brewhouse
By John Campbell
Grassroots seems like an appropriate theme considering that I'm off to Madison, Indiana, to attend the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival this weekend. I would love to brag about the integrity of the event, their support of craft beer, local arts, and grassrooted, folk festivities, but I can't (See Roger's blog posts from last week for an in-depth explanation). Unfortunately, too many people have forgotten their roots in the race for success and supremacy. I can firmly state that we are not of that stock. We will always strive to learn, to improve, to grow, and to expand, but never by turning our backs on those who helped us, believed in us, and carried us along the way.
Today I felt it necessary to acknowledge our roots, the brewery that started it all, and the brewer who has been carrying us for at least a couple of weeks now. While all eyes have been on Bank Street, Jared Williamson has been laboring away at the original location in the fabled Garage Brewhouse where it all began...
3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Indiana
Grassroots seems like an appropriate theme considering that I'm off to Madison, Indiana, to attend the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival this weekend. I would love to brag about the integrity of the event, their support of craft beer, local arts, and grassrooted, folk festivities, but I can't (See Roger's blog posts from last week for an in-depth explanation). Unfortunately, too many people have forgotten their roots in the race for success and supremacy. I can firmly state that we are not of that stock. We will always strive to learn, to improve, to grow, and to expand, but never by turning our backs on those who helped us, believed in us, and carried us along the way.
Today I felt it necessary to acknowledge our roots, the brewery that started it all, and the brewer who has been carrying us for at least a couple of weeks now. While all eyes have been on Bank Street, Jared Williamson has been laboring away at the original location in the fabled Garage Brewhouse where it all began...
3312 Plaza Drive, New Albany, Indiana
While David and Jesse have been preparing for the new brewery and working hard to streamline the delivery and installation, Jared has been working just as hard to keep beer in the tanks and recover from our unforeseen beer drought. The brewing system at this location is a 4 barrel brewhouse with 8 barrel fermenters that require two brews to fill and, even then, will only produce 16 kegs of beer. The bottom line is this: it is labor intensive, requires a long brew day, barely supplies enough beer for both locations, and just when you think you are caught up, it starts over again. Yet, somehow Jared has managed to pull it off. Our beer is back on tap and tasting better than ever thanks to his devotion, David's added know-how, some new equipment, a bit of loyalty, a dab of commitment, and a big-ass, heapin' scoop of integrity.
Despite the long hours, Jared managed to brew enough beer for me to take 8 kegs to the Folk Festival this weekend. Kinda sad that it will be pouring next to an Anheuser-Busch truck this year, ain't it?
Jared inspecting the latest batch of Community Dark
David's newest contribution to our old way of doing things.
Here's some good news for our die-hard New Albanian fans and hopheads: Hoptimus is in the tank and will be back on tap soon! Jared pulled some off the fermenter and we had ourselves a good ol' grassroots nip off the tank.
That is the face of a Craft Brewer and that is the way beer was meant to be.
Despite the long hours, Jared managed to brew enough beer for me to take 8 kegs to the Folk Festival this weekend. Kinda sad that it will be pouring next to an Anheuser-Busch truck this year, ain't it?
Jared inspecting the latest batch of Community Dark
David's newest contribution to our old way of doing things.
Here's some good news for our die-hard New Albanian fans and hopheads: Hoptimus is in the tank and will be back on tap soon! Jared pulled some off the fermenter and we had ourselves a good ol' grassroots nip off the tank.
That is the face of a Craft Brewer and that is the way beer was meant to be.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Propagator and the Propaganda - Viva Che!
By John Campbell
Day 3 of the brewery installation. Come in for a beer and watch it come together, that's why we made the walls out of glass, ya know.
Day 3 of the brewery installation. Come in for a beer and watch it come together, that's why we made the walls out of glass, ya know.
David and Jesse connecting Che, the yeast propagator:
David and the Brewhouse:
The Stormtroopers:
Meanwhile, Josh is creating edible art, Nasty is holding up the bar, the forklift door has been installed in the new malt room, and Dave and Jesse continue piecing together the future...
"We must spread our principles, not with words but with deeds, for this is the most popular, the most potent, and the most irresistible form of propaganda." - Mikhail Bakunin
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
I Am a Craft Brewer
"I Am A Craft Brewer" is a collaborative video representing the camaraderie, character and integrity of the American Craft Brewing movement. Created by Greg Koch, CEO of the Stone Brewing Co. and Chris & Jared of Redtail Media...and more than 35 amazing craft brewers from all over the country. The video was shown to a packed audience of 1700 craft brewers and industry members at the 2009 Craft Brewers Conference as an introduction to Greg's Keynote Speech entitled "Be Remarkable: Collaboration Ethics Camaraderie Passion."
My Life Out of Focus
By John Campbell
I recently bought a fancy new Nikon that I obviously don't know how to use. I was going to publish photos of the brewery installation last night, but immediately noticed a blur in my vision and - without Hoptimus - knew it must be a case of bad photography.
After some inner debate, I've decided to publish them anyway. Pretend you've had a pint or two of Hoptimus and you won't notice a thing.
I recently bought a fancy new Nikon that I obviously don't know how to use. I was going to publish photos of the brewery installation last night, but immediately noticed a blur in my vision and - without Hoptimus - knew it must be a case of bad photography.
After some inner debate, I've decided to publish them anyway. Pretend you've had a pint or two of Hoptimus and you won't notice a thing.
Brewer Jesse Williams
the urban cyclist arrives
Brewer David Pierce behind the wheel
Lloyd directing traffic
One truck unloaded, one to go.
the Donut Man can
Left to right: Gregg Rochman, Jared Williamson, Jesse Williams, and Artist-In-Residence Anthony Beard
Don't look so mad, I'm not the one eyeing your donut!
one tank to go
the brewers riding the last one home
the coach enjoys a cigar from the sidelines
what has two thumbs and loves brewing?
These machines kill fascists.
Dave explains how to get it up.
Nate showed up for the heavy lifting.
a job well done, more to come...
Colleen gave me a crash course in photography this morning. She adjusted my settings and showed me the wonderful world of Auto Focus.If future photos appear out of focus it will be because of Hoptimus.
Monday, May 11, 2009
New blood during the brewery installation.
This is John Campbell filling in for Roger Baylor while he is away. David Pierce and I will be uploading photographs of the brewery installation. Stay Tuned.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Madison's Ohio River Valley Folk Festival veers off course, will pander to swill in 2009.
For the past three years, New Albanian Brewing Company and Upland Brewing Company have happily vended craft beer at the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival along the Ohio River in Madison, Indiana, and I have enjoyed touting the fest as an example of something positive in a world inundated by cookie cutters.
It has been a rare experience, indeed, because there aren’t many such musical events organized under a principle, one expressed at the ORVFF website.
In keeping with the Ohio River Valley's artisan tradition, we proudly offer hand-crafted Beer and Wine from the people who make it. Like the folks who select their wood for a fine musical instrument, these small-production, high-quality vintners and brewers are engaged in the entire process, from the selection of the grain and fruit, to pouring your glass! They are fine examples of regional brewing and winemaking. We're sure you'll agree. Cheers!
The festival takes place next week, on May 15 and 16, and last week we learned that North Vernon Beverage Company has been invited by the organizing committee to sell draft Bud, Bud Light, and a small assortment of other international, mass-market bottled lagers (Corona, Michelob Ultra).
Apparently the decision was made just two weeks ago. The website text quoted above and other information on the Internet remain unchanged.
Upland was notified of the change. NABC was not, and the appropriate apologies have been issued, which I appreciate. Upland asked that no A-B mockrobrews (Shock Top, et al) be brought, and North Vernon agreed. What North Vernon didn’t tell Upland, and what wasn’t known until NABC called North Vernon, was that the wholesaler was planning on permitting Upland and NABC only one tap each, meaning that the festival that bills itself as being about “artisan” traditions would be taking place with two craft beers on tap instead of eight, which was the case last year.
We lobbied our friends at North Vernon (rest assured, they’re far too unambitious to be the “bad” guys in this story) to sell from cold plates, and we expect to be doing so next weekend.
We’ll be bringing non-golden beers so as to offer an alternative, including a special IPA brewed just for the event.
We’ll remember that last year, both NABC and Upland brought pilsners, because we’d been listening to what the consumers had to say, and we planned accordingly.
We’ll be there because we keep our word, remain true to our principles, and wouldn’t let down those who expect us … those who get it.
But know this: I can no longer in good conscience endorse the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival. The committee has made me look bad, and doesn’t seem to get the connection. For me, the banner that appears on the front of the web site unfortunately says it all:
Music, Art, Story Telling, & Food that celebrate our roots and traditions.
Note the absence of the word beer. What would Woody Guthrie say?
Now it’s just another festival, just like all the rest, with integrity reduced to the lowest denominator capable, and all because a very small number of people out there can’t see the relationship between the music they prefer and the liquid in the cup they hold. That’s ridiculous, pandering to indulge it, and if not form my determination to actually keep the promises NABC makes, I'd have no part of it.
For more, go here and read the correspondence between the committee chairman and me.
That's all I have to say. The sadness has nothing to do with money. It has to do with principle. Perhaps someone in Madison eventually can be convinced to grasp it.
It has been a rare experience, indeed, because there aren’t many such musical events organized under a principle, one expressed at the ORVFF website.
In keeping with the Ohio River Valley's artisan tradition, we proudly offer hand-crafted Beer and Wine from the people who make it. Like the folks who select their wood for a fine musical instrument, these small-production, high-quality vintners and brewers are engaged in the entire process, from the selection of the grain and fruit, to pouring your glass! They are fine examples of regional brewing and winemaking. We're sure you'll agree. Cheers!
The festival takes place next week, on May 15 and 16, and last week we learned that North Vernon Beverage Company has been invited by the organizing committee to sell draft Bud, Bud Light, and a small assortment of other international, mass-market bottled lagers (Corona, Michelob Ultra).
Apparently the decision was made just two weeks ago. The website text quoted above and other information on the Internet remain unchanged.
Upland was notified of the change. NABC was not, and the appropriate apologies have been issued, which I appreciate. Upland asked that no A-B mockrobrews (Shock Top, et al) be brought, and North Vernon agreed. What North Vernon didn’t tell Upland, and what wasn’t known until NABC called North Vernon, was that the wholesaler was planning on permitting Upland and NABC only one tap each, meaning that the festival that bills itself as being about “artisan” traditions would be taking place with two craft beers on tap instead of eight, which was the case last year.
We lobbied our friends at North Vernon (rest assured, they’re far too unambitious to be the “bad” guys in this story) to sell from cold plates, and we expect to be doing so next weekend.
We’ll be bringing non-golden beers so as to offer an alternative, including a special IPA brewed just for the event.
We’ll remember that last year, both NABC and Upland brought pilsners, because we’d been listening to what the consumers had to say, and we planned accordingly.
We’ll be there because we keep our word, remain true to our principles, and wouldn’t let down those who expect us … those who get it.
But know this: I can no longer in good conscience endorse the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival. The committee has made me look bad, and doesn’t seem to get the connection. For me, the banner that appears on the front of the web site unfortunately says it all:
Music, Art, Story Telling, & Food that celebrate our roots and traditions.
Note the absence of the word beer. What would Woody Guthrie say?
Now it’s just another festival, just like all the rest, with integrity reduced to the lowest denominator capable, and all because a very small number of people out there can’t see the relationship between the music they prefer and the liquid in the cup they hold. That’s ridiculous, pandering to indulge it, and if not form my determination to actually keep the promises NABC makes, I'd have no part of it.
For more, go here and read the correspondence between the committee chairman and me.
That's all I have to say. The sadness has nothing to do with money. It has to do with principle. Perhaps someone in Madison eventually can be convinced to grasp it.
Saturday, May 09, 2009
The climbdown: Correspondence between the Curmudgeon and the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival, as the latter prepares to welcome megaswill.
When I learned about the Ohio River Valley Folk Festival’s climbdown in permitting megaswill to contradict the stated aim of “artisan” traditions and, by tragic extension, push craft beer vending at the fest to a decidedly lower tier, I wrote to the Madison, Indiana tourist office, which forwarded my comments (somewhat condescendingly, I might add) to the committee chairman, who's a good man apparently beset by powers in the local apparatus that are too great to resist, i.e., someone of importance had to have Bud Light, and conceptual integrity be damned as a result.
Following are the texts of our exchange last week. I believe readers will find it instructive.
For context, go here: Madison's Ohio River Valley Folk Festival veers off course, will pander to swill in 2009.
----
Greetings
I’m Roger A. Baylor, owner of the New Albanian Brewing Company.
I noticed two significant things about the website for the 2009 Ohio River Valley Folk Festival.
One was this description of principle from past years, unchanged this year:
“In keeping with the Ohio River Valley's artisan tradition, we proudly offer hand-crafted Beer and Wine from the people who make it. Like the folks who select their wood for a fine musical instrument, these small-production, high-quality vintners and brewers are engaged in the entire process, from the selection of the grain and fruit, to pouring your glass! They are fine examples of regional brewing and winemaking. We're sure you'll agree. Cheers!”
The second was this: I did not see the Anheuser-Busch logo on the list of sponsors, and yet, I just learned that mass market beer will be vended this year.
I’m curious about this contradiction, since last year I remarked to several festival committee members and fest sponsors that my company, the New Albanian Brewing Company, was sufficiently impressed with, and invested in, the future of the folk festival that we would appreciate the opportunity not only to continue participating, but also would be open to the notion of assisting in terms of sponsorship.
All I asked was that we be kept in the loop so that we could attend organizational meetings and be allowed to present our case, namely, that the conceptual nature of the fest as outlined in the passage above – a passage that still appears on the web site and in promotional materials on MySpace – embraces the notion of handcrafted beer for handcrafted music.
To my knowledge, no effort was made to contact us.
None.
Consequently, I am extremely disappointed to learn that Budweiser and Budweiser will be vended at the festival this year.
Need I point out to you that permitting a mass marketing entity to take part in this manner contradicts the stated aim of the gathering? And, that even if you elected to make this change democratically, your web site in effect perpetuates a falsehood?
I operate in the assumption that this decision was made owing to A-B (or North Vernon Beverage) sponsorship. But please note that I relayed a willingness to at least discuss the same last year.
Might we have at least been permitted to tender a bid for this?
Perhaps we couldn’t afford it, perhaps not, but you’d not know without asking.
They ARE contributing, right?
After working so hard in previous years not only to vend product, but also to publicize and praise the folk festival’s ethical model, shouldn’t we expect to be informed? Isn’t that basic decency given our previous efforts?
In the past, I‘ve put my personal integrity on the line on your behalf. In return, in 2009 I received no contact whatsoever about this year’s fest, and no information about the change to a mass market philosophy.
We had to initiate contact and call you just to find out whether or not we were even welcomed to come back in 2009. Now, learning of the Bud and Bud Light climb-down, I guess we know why. Admittedly, this is a very disheartening rebuke from a community where I have blood ties in terms of family members, and from a group with whom we’ve had such good relations in the past.
Here’s a quote to consider: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”
It is by the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, and appears at the end of “I Am a Craft Brewer,” a four-minute video created by Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company. It was screened during Koch’s keynote speech in Boston during the recently concluded annual Craft Brewers Conference. It describes the level of commitment in the community of craft brewers. I’m sure many of the artists playing at the folk fest would agree.
View it here: http://www.vimeo.com/4432533.
We’ve already spoken with Upland, our sister craft brewer that was in the dark, too, and we’ve contacted North Vernon (from whom I‘ve been buying craft beer for 17 years) about placement and the new rules of engagement. We will be there next week and do our best to live up to the festival’s credo as you, yourselves, have described it. But this comes entirely from our own sense of fair play. Can you really say that we’ve been dealt with in an above-board manner? If we did something to offend someone, could you at least tell me what it was? All I recall are good vibrations.
Honestly, this has been a crushing and humiliating experience for us as a company, and for me as an individual, and it’s hard for me to fathom why the communication was severed. Sorry, but beer brewed by a multi-national corporation simply isn’t worth the trouble, especially when it puts the lie to your own marketing efforts.
That’s the sad part. You’ve has a unique, original thing going on with the folk fest. Money’s tight … but we didn’t even have a chance to make the case for preserving the goodness. That’s as sorrowful as a dulcimer, don’t you think?
Roger A. Baylor
New Albanian Brewing Company
----
(The chairman, J, answered to the bureau and copied me)
L,
There was some confusion and lack of communication with the craft brewers. That I regrettably admit. The decision to add a domestic beer option was a democratic one in terms of our committee- not because of a sponsorship, but because of the continuing hue and cry from festival patrons in the past.
And that decision was only made within the past 2 weeks. I probably should have taken it upon myself to contact and invite the microbrewers, but I didn't. I know Uplands was contacted right after the decision to include domestics was made and we agreed with their request that the domestic distributor not bring any craft-type beers. I also know that I specifically stated to be sure to invite New Albanian because they are "our neighbors".
The Folk Festival committee wanted to look into the matter as much as possible and not make a snap decision. In fact, we've held our position of having only craft beers for 3 years. But, feedback, both written and verbal, indicated that beer options were becoming a material issue in the overall success of the event. The only objective numbers we could look at were total ticket sales and beer sales at Ribberfest which sells only domestic products) compared with the same for Folk Festival. It turns out that we sell 3 times as much beer at Ribberfest. All we're trying to do is function like a good business and offer what our patrons want. We've heard the same feedback for 3 years--that people wanted the domestic option. Those who'll only drink domestic products probably weren't customers of New Albanian and Uplands last year anyway and there are certainly loyal fans of those brewers who turn their nose up at domestics.
Our interest is in maximizing a viable, festival revenue source by providing another option that has been demanded by our patrons. We have never given anybody an exclusive hold on the festival and we do not receive sponsorship money or even special considerations from any vendor. We are happy that New Albanian and Uplands are going to continue supporting our festival with their presence and products. They do help us maintain the theme of our craft heritage. I wish more people were adventuresome and would try the full-flavored, microbrewed products. But we know that many people simply refuse to do so. Even the microbrewers continue to add new products to appeal to different tastes as is evidenced by New Albanian's new Abzug line which has been described as a "less hoppy" truly light beer.
I'm trying to run an event that offers a lot of things of interest to a lot of people and find its own feet and stability. My committee has grown and is made up of very capable individuals who also want the best for the event. We think the "best" can be achieved by responding to the desires of the patrons and potential patrons. In the past, we've had to tweak the Folk Art venue, Storytelling and food vendors to improve the event without damaging its character. We think improvement comes, generally, from more options rather than fewer.
Thanks for sharing Roger's letter. I'm trying to copy him on this. Take care,
J, Chair
ORVFF
----
J
If the festival goers began demanding thrash metal, would the folk nature of the music be altered, too?
Know that I appreciate the explanation.
I would also appreciate being provided with contact information for the remainder of the committee, so perhaps I can try to convey to THEM what it feels like to spend three years touting your festival as an example of integrity, only to see it compromised a scant two weeks away from the kickoff.
It is especially disappointing to hear that people wish to compare apples with oranges, in that the Ribberfest is different, older and includes a sanctioned barbecue competition. ORVFF might have progressed into something admired for consistency principle. C'est la vie, I guess.
And: No one called me.
I have used my credibility to sell this fest for three years running. My credibility is respect that has been earned over time. I don't expend it unless merited. Fest materials disseminated all over the place are saying that the fest follows a principle when it comes to beer vending. But now, people will go, see the true state, then ask me why Bud and Bud Light were there. I'm put into a tight spot, ethically ... and no one called me to prepare me for it. No one shared anything for the past year. I told everyone last year that we'd love to participate as neighbors to grow the fest. Nothing was said, no contact was made. Silence, and then the rug pulled out two weeks beforehand. I suspect most of the committee members would be put off by this, too, it their feet were in my shoes.
I understand that it isn't you. However, I confess that I'm personally insulted. I won't raise a stink about it until afterward out of strict loyalty to Steve Thomas, whom I admire tremendously. However, even though the company will be present and vending, I won't be coming this year. They'll watch the corporate big boys contradict the stated aim of the fest, but I cannot. I suppose we'll continue to assist, and sell craft beer, and yet it will be just another vending opportunity, no longer something worth putting my heart into. Too bad. All for Bud Light.
By the way, using the same logic as the committee has used for the folk fest, can we expect a vending opportunity at Ribberfest this August?
I won't be holding my breath on that one. I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks
R
----
Roger,
No, we wouldn't alter the nature of the music to that extent. We do listen to our patrons, however, on who they'd like to see. We constantly fight the battle that "folk music" isn't just "Puff the Magic Dragon". It's a lot about compromise. We also wouldn't allow a domestic beer distributor into the event at the exclusion of the craft brewers. We aren't an exhibit, we're a young tourism event that does it's best to maintain what integrity we can while attempting to cater to those things that will allow the event to grow and thrive.
I apologize for the lack of a contact. We are a committee of volunteers and the person who was doing the research on the beer issue had other conflicts that brought this to an 11th hour decision. As I stated in my explanation yesterday, I thought you would be called at the time of the decision—I didn't follow up to assure that had happened, it didn't, and I accept the responsibility for your having felt left out of the loop. When I got the message from Mr. Campbell, I checked on what had actually happened on our end and that's when I found out that you hadn't been called. I returned his call immediately and assured him that we wanted your continued presence in our festival.
Rich O's was the first bar in southern Indiana that I visited (apart from those in Madison). That was about 9 years ago when my office was on Grantline Rd. Bettye Dunham actually introduced us long before I met you again at this festival thru our mutual friend, Mr. Thomas. When I discovered you had become a microbrewery, it seemed logical to include you in this event which had its emergence at about the same time. If I had any say in the matter, you'd certainly be invited to Ribberfest. It seems to me that some of your brews would marry better to the spicy foods than the domestics. I'm only peripherally involved with that event via the music committee, but I'll certainly forward the notion.
I'll be happy to provide you a list of the committee members and I'd be happy to meet with you and discuss this further. I'm the chairperson of this event, not its dictator. The beer issue has been a controversy for this committee since year one. When the committee was smaller and I was closer to being a dictator, we were able to maintain the status quo. As the committee grew and we began exploring those things we needed to do to strengthen the event, the beer issue reappeared. Our event has lost money, broke even and made about $1,500 in its 3 year history. Our continuation has always been a little shaky and we've come under a lot of scrutiny. Therefore, even though we think 2009 will be our "break-out" year, we need to pay close attention to every aspect of this event to ensure that there will be another. As a businessman, I'm certain that you appreciate that principle. I'm sure you don't persist in the expense of brewing a product line that proves to be unpopular and unsellable just on principle.
I wish you'd reconsider and join us this year. I'd enjoy having a pint and talking about this whole matter with you. If you simply can't come or won't, I'll make a trip to Rich O's to meet with you there. Again, I do sincerely apologize for the communication confusion.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to me,
J
Following are the texts of our exchange last week. I believe readers will find it instructive.
For context, go here: Madison's Ohio River Valley Folk Festival veers off course, will pander to swill in 2009.
----
Greetings
I’m Roger A. Baylor, owner of the New Albanian Brewing Company.
I noticed two significant things about the website for the 2009 Ohio River Valley Folk Festival.
One was this description of principle from past years, unchanged this year:
“In keeping with the Ohio River Valley's artisan tradition, we proudly offer hand-crafted Beer and Wine from the people who make it. Like the folks who select their wood for a fine musical instrument, these small-production, high-quality vintners and brewers are engaged in the entire process, from the selection of the grain and fruit, to pouring your glass! They are fine examples of regional brewing and winemaking. We're sure you'll agree. Cheers!”
The second was this: I did not see the Anheuser-Busch logo on the list of sponsors, and yet, I just learned that mass market beer will be vended this year.
I’m curious about this contradiction, since last year I remarked to several festival committee members and fest sponsors that my company, the New Albanian Brewing Company, was sufficiently impressed with, and invested in, the future of the folk festival that we would appreciate the opportunity not only to continue participating, but also would be open to the notion of assisting in terms of sponsorship.
All I asked was that we be kept in the loop so that we could attend organizational meetings and be allowed to present our case, namely, that the conceptual nature of the fest as outlined in the passage above – a passage that still appears on the web site and in promotional materials on MySpace – embraces the notion of handcrafted beer for handcrafted music.
To my knowledge, no effort was made to contact us.
None.
Consequently, I am extremely disappointed to learn that Budweiser and Budweiser will be vended at the festival this year.
Need I point out to you that permitting a mass marketing entity to take part in this manner contradicts the stated aim of the gathering? And, that even if you elected to make this change democratically, your web site in effect perpetuates a falsehood?
I operate in the assumption that this decision was made owing to A-B (or North Vernon Beverage) sponsorship. But please note that I relayed a willingness to at least discuss the same last year.
Might we have at least been permitted to tender a bid for this?
Perhaps we couldn’t afford it, perhaps not, but you’d not know without asking.
They ARE contributing, right?
After working so hard in previous years not only to vend product, but also to publicize and praise the folk festival’s ethical model, shouldn’t we expect to be informed? Isn’t that basic decency given our previous efforts?
In the past, I‘ve put my personal integrity on the line on your behalf. In return, in 2009 I received no contact whatsoever about this year’s fest, and no information about the change to a mass market philosophy.
We had to initiate contact and call you just to find out whether or not we were even welcomed to come back in 2009. Now, learning of the Bud and Bud Light climb-down, I guess we know why. Admittedly, this is a very disheartening rebuke from a community where I have blood ties in terms of family members, and from a group with whom we’ve had such good relations in the past.
Here’s a quote to consider: “One of the truest tests of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised.”
It is by the Nigerian writer Chinua Achebe, and appears at the end of “I Am a Craft Brewer,” a four-minute video created by Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company. It was screened during Koch’s keynote speech in Boston during the recently concluded annual Craft Brewers Conference. It describes the level of commitment in the community of craft brewers. I’m sure many of the artists playing at the folk fest would agree.
View it here: http://www.vimeo.com/4432533.
We’ve already spoken with Upland, our sister craft brewer that was in the dark, too, and we’ve contacted North Vernon (from whom I‘ve been buying craft beer for 17 years) about placement and the new rules of engagement. We will be there next week and do our best to live up to the festival’s credo as you, yourselves, have described it. But this comes entirely from our own sense of fair play. Can you really say that we’ve been dealt with in an above-board manner? If we did something to offend someone, could you at least tell me what it was? All I recall are good vibrations.
Honestly, this has been a crushing and humiliating experience for us as a company, and for me as an individual, and it’s hard for me to fathom why the communication was severed. Sorry, but beer brewed by a multi-national corporation simply isn’t worth the trouble, especially when it puts the lie to your own marketing efforts.
That’s the sad part. You’ve has a unique, original thing going on with the folk fest. Money’s tight … but we didn’t even have a chance to make the case for preserving the goodness. That’s as sorrowful as a dulcimer, don’t you think?
Roger A. Baylor
New Albanian Brewing Company
----
(The chairman, J, answered to the bureau and copied me)
L,
There was some confusion and lack of communication with the craft brewers. That I regrettably admit. The decision to add a domestic beer option was a democratic one in terms of our committee- not because of a sponsorship, but because of the continuing hue and cry from festival patrons in the past.
And that decision was only made within the past 2 weeks. I probably should have taken it upon myself to contact and invite the microbrewers, but I didn't. I know Uplands was contacted right after the decision to include domestics was made and we agreed with their request that the domestic distributor not bring any craft-type beers. I also know that I specifically stated to be sure to invite New Albanian because they are "our neighbors".
The Folk Festival committee wanted to look into the matter as much as possible and not make a snap decision. In fact, we've held our position of having only craft beers for 3 years. But, feedback, both written and verbal, indicated that beer options were becoming a material issue in the overall success of the event. The only objective numbers we could look at were total ticket sales and beer sales at Ribberfest which sells only domestic products) compared with the same for Folk Festival. It turns out that we sell 3 times as much beer at Ribberfest. All we're trying to do is function like a good business and offer what our patrons want. We've heard the same feedback for 3 years--that people wanted the domestic option. Those who'll only drink domestic products probably weren't customers of New Albanian and Uplands last year anyway and there are certainly loyal fans of those brewers who turn their nose up at domestics.
Our interest is in maximizing a viable, festival revenue source by providing another option that has been demanded by our patrons. We have never given anybody an exclusive hold on the festival and we do not receive sponsorship money or even special considerations from any vendor. We are happy that New Albanian and Uplands are going to continue supporting our festival with their presence and products. They do help us maintain the theme of our craft heritage. I wish more people were adventuresome and would try the full-flavored, microbrewed products. But we know that many people simply refuse to do so. Even the microbrewers continue to add new products to appeal to different tastes as is evidenced by New Albanian's new Abzug line which has been described as a "less hoppy" truly light beer.
I'm trying to run an event that offers a lot of things of interest to a lot of people and find its own feet and stability. My committee has grown and is made up of very capable individuals who also want the best for the event. We think the "best" can be achieved by responding to the desires of the patrons and potential patrons. In the past, we've had to tweak the Folk Art venue, Storytelling and food vendors to improve the event without damaging its character. We think improvement comes, generally, from more options rather than fewer.
Thanks for sharing Roger's letter. I'm trying to copy him on this. Take care,
J, Chair
ORVFF
----
J
If the festival goers began demanding thrash metal, would the folk nature of the music be altered, too?
Know that I appreciate the explanation.
I would also appreciate being provided with contact information for the remainder of the committee, so perhaps I can try to convey to THEM what it feels like to spend three years touting your festival as an example of integrity, only to see it compromised a scant two weeks away from the kickoff.
It is especially disappointing to hear that people wish to compare apples with oranges, in that the Ribberfest is different, older and includes a sanctioned barbecue competition. ORVFF might have progressed into something admired for consistency principle. C'est la vie, I guess.
And: No one called me.
I have used my credibility to sell this fest for three years running. My credibility is respect that has been earned over time. I don't expend it unless merited. Fest materials disseminated all over the place are saying that the fest follows a principle when it comes to beer vending. But now, people will go, see the true state, then ask me why Bud and Bud Light were there. I'm put into a tight spot, ethically ... and no one called me to prepare me for it. No one shared anything for the past year. I told everyone last year that we'd love to participate as neighbors to grow the fest. Nothing was said, no contact was made. Silence, and then the rug pulled out two weeks beforehand. I suspect most of the committee members would be put off by this, too, it their feet were in my shoes.
I understand that it isn't you. However, I confess that I'm personally insulted. I won't raise a stink about it until afterward out of strict loyalty to Steve Thomas, whom I admire tremendously. However, even though the company will be present and vending, I won't be coming this year. They'll watch the corporate big boys contradict the stated aim of the fest, but I cannot. I suppose we'll continue to assist, and sell craft beer, and yet it will be just another vending opportunity, no longer something worth putting my heart into. Too bad. All for Bud Light.
By the way, using the same logic as the committee has used for the folk fest, can we expect a vending opportunity at Ribberfest this August?
I won't be holding my breath on that one. I hope it goes well for you.
Thanks
R
----
Roger,
No, we wouldn't alter the nature of the music to that extent. We do listen to our patrons, however, on who they'd like to see. We constantly fight the battle that "folk music" isn't just "Puff the Magic Dragon". It's a lot about compromise. We also wouldn't allow a domestic beer distributor into the event at the exclusion of the craft brewers. We aren't an exhibit, we're a young tourism event that does it's best to maintain what integrity we can while attempting to cater to those things that will allow the event to grow and thrive.
I apologize for the lack of a contact. We are a committee of volunteers and the person who was doing the research on the beer issue had other conflicts that brought this to an 11th hour decision. As I stated in my explanation yesterday, I thought you would be called at the time of the decision—I didn't follow up to assure that had happened, it didn't, and I accept the responsibility for your having felt left out of the loop. When I got the message from Mr. Campbell, I checked on what had actually happened on our end and that's when I found out that you hadn't been called. I returned his call immediately and assured him that we wanted your continued presence in our festival.
Rich O's was the first bar in southern Indiana that I visited (apart from those in Madison). That was about 9 years ago when my office was on Grantline Rd. Bettye Dunham actually introduced us long before I met you again at this festival thru our mutual friend, Mr. Thomas. When I discovered you had become a microbrewery, it seemed logical to include you in this event which had its emergence at about the same time. If I had any say in the matter, you'd certainly be invited to Ribberfest. It seems to me that some of your brews would marry better to the spicy foods than the domestics. I'm only peripherally involved with that event via the music committee, but I'll certainly forward the notion.
I'll be happy to provide you a list of the committee members and I'd be happy to meet with you and discuss this further. I'm the chairperson of this event, not its dictator. The beer issue has been a controversy for this committee since year one. When the committee was smaller and I was closer to being a dictator, we were able to maintain the status quo. As the committee grew and we began exploring those things we needed to do to strengthen the event, the beer issue reappeared. Our event has lost money, broke even and made about $1,500 in its 3 year history. Our continuation has always been a little shaky and we've come under a lot of scrutiny. Therefore, even though we think 2009 will be our "break-out" year, we need to pay close attention to every aspect of this event to ensure that there will be another. As a businessman, I'm certain that you appreciate that principle. I'm sure you don't persist in the expense of brewing a product line that proves to be unpopular and unsellable just on principle.
I wish you'd reconsider and join us this year. I'd enjoy having a pint and talking about this whole matter with you. If you simply can't come or won't, I'll make a trip to Rich O's to meet with you there. Again, I do sincerely apologize for the communication confusion.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to me,
J
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Bank Street Brewhouse: Modified outdoor seating plans.
As we await the imminent arrival of the brewing system, the outdoor buildout continues. Architect Mose Putney has modified the original sign design and added an office on the green roof ...
... but I digress. Here are drawings of the outdoor patio, and another view of the future.
... but I digress. Here are drawings of the outdoor patio, and another view of the future.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
River City Winery now sampling in downtown New Albany.
Yesterday was the monthly "First Tuesday" mixer, co-hosted by Develop New Albany and the River City Winery. The photo above was taken by Ted Fulmore, and to view more, click here. I was busy dodging paparazzi determined to catch me in the act of drinking something other than beer, which turned out to be a dryish Cabernet/Merlot blend.
The River City Winery is located on Pearl Street, just a block away from the Bank Street Brewhouse. I call that "synergy."
The building renovation is nothing short of amazing, and the winery crew was busy bottling and applying labels downstairs as the event took place at ground level. I gleaned that there will be limited evening hours for wine tastings only beginning immediately, with food to follow later this summer (late July or August).
River City Winery website
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Bank Street Brewhouse walk-in update.
The brewery walk-in got started on Tuesday. As you can see, the brew crew has appropriate guidance from the sales department. On Thursday, there'll be a hole cut through the block, paving the way for completion.
Monday, May 04, 2009
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