[sapperbrew]

Hello all...

A small contingent of brewers from my club will be going to Homebrew Con for the first time this year and we are serving at club night.

We have gotten some feedback from a member of a neighboring club on what to expect, what to plan for, etc.

We have all read through the first timers guide to Homebrew Con and all of that but looking for information from those that have attended before aside from "there will be a ton of beer, don't try to drink it all."

Cheers and thanks in advance!

[guido]

Think Mardi Gras with home brew! It will be the best night of your life. (If you're married, it's probably best not to mention that to your wife.)

[hopfenundmalz]

My lame strategy is to try beers from those I know that make good beer. I also rely on word of mouth from those I know that say, "Go to both X and try beer Y!". You can't try them all these days.
 
If you are pouring, and people come to your booth and say "I was told by Z that I have to try this beer, it is a great example", then you are doing it right. If the big names come around and try your beer, and smile and nod, you are doing it right.

Hope this helps.

[kramerog]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

[sapperbrew]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

[udubdawg]

My lame strategy is to try beers from those I know that make good beer.

Ugh, this old dude won't stop following me around.   

[Schemy]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing. 

[sapperbrew]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing.

See, I don't think a theme is necessary. Fun? Sure. Required to give away beer...for free? No, not really.

[Schemy]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing.

See, I don't think a theme is necessary. Fun? Sure. Required to give away beer...for free? No, not really.

And what varieties of free beer is your club going to be offering? 

[sapperbrew]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing.

See, I don't think a theme is necessary. Fun? Sure. Required to give away beer...for free? No, not really.

And what varieties of free beer is your club going to be offering?

Oh, a decent selection I believe. Saison, Pils, Vienna and then some other fun ones

[Schemy]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing.

See, I don't think a theme is necessary. Fun? Sure. Required to give away beer...for free? No, not really.

And what varieties of free beer is your club going to be offering?

Oh, a decent selection I believe. Saison, Pils, Vienna and then some other fun ones

I see.  I think I have you guys pegged already.  I'm guessing you're the type of club that will doctor up a Blonde Ale with coffee or lime and pass it off as fun.  Probably have one of those New England IPA's on your menu too. Probably name a dank IPA with a weed reference. I bet you guys even thought of trying to bring in a Wavy Arm Inflatable Guy to draw people to your booth. 

[denny]

Ridiculous costumes are optional.

See this is a big question of ours. We are kind of doing a theme for our booth but it will be totally chill and no crazy costumes. We were essentially told that nobody will drink our beer because of that.

My thought is that if the beer is good, it won't matter what we are dressed up like...as long as we are actually dressed.

My guess is that if you believe you need a theme to get people to drink your beer, then it's probably not good enough in the first place.  Focus on your brewing.

Except that no one will know the beer is good if you can't get them to your booth to try it.  Themes and costumes are one way to do that.

[toby]

Think Mardi Gras with home brew!

We have either been to some drastically different Club Nights, or some drastically different Mardi Gras. lol

[69franx]

Think Mardi Gras with home brew!

We have either been to some drastically different Club Nights, or some drastically different Mardi Gras. lol

I hear you Toby. Never been to NHC, but I have been to NO several times, once for Mardi Gras and I suppose I would have made a larger effort to get to NHC if I thought I could find a good use for all of these beads

[hopfenundmalz]

My lame strategy is to try beers from those I know that make good beer.

Ugh, this old dude won't stop following me around.   

You? Ciders and meads please.